After a serious incident, the choice of investigator shapes everything that follows: what is found, what is believed, and what changes. Here are the questions worth asking.
1. Are you independent?
Does the investigator sell products, repairs or contracts that could depend on the findings? Independence is what makes findings credible to boards, buyers, insurers and regulators.
2. Who will actually do the work?
Will a senior investigator lead from the first call to the final briefing, or will the work be passed to someone junior?
3. How do you secure evidence?
A good investigator will tell you on the first call what to preserve, before it is lost.
4. Which methods will you use?
There is no single right method. A good investigator chooses methods that fit the case, and can explain why.
5. Will you look beyond this event?
The best investigations find the weaknesses that would cause the next event, not just this one.
6. What will the actions look like?
Ask for examples. Look for short, specific, testable actions rather than long generic lists.
7. Who is the report written for?
It should be clear enough for a board and robust enough for an insurer or regulator.
8. What have you done before?
Ask about experience in your sector and with events of similar severity.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
→Independence makes findings credible.
→A senior investigator should lead throughout.
→Look for investigations that go beyond the event.
QUESTIONS READERS ASK
How do I choose an incident investigator?
Check independence, who will lead the work, how evidence is secured, which methods are used, whether the review goes beyond the event, and relevant experience.
Why use an independent investigator?
Independent findings are more credible to boards, customers, insurers and regulators, and less affected by internal pressures.
