Which of the following is NOT one of the four fundamental goals of on-scene mishap investigations?

• A. Preserve evidence.
• B. Document the scene.
• C. Assess financial liability.
• D. Determine probable cause with safety recommendations.

Answer: (C)

On-scene mishap investigations focus on safety and preventing recurrence. The fundamental tasks are to preserve evidence, document the scene, determine probable cause, and issue safety recommendations. Assessing financial liability does not contribute to understanding what caused the incident or how to prevent it in the future, so it isn’t one of the core goals of the investigation. In practice, investigators secure the wreckage and evidence, photograph and sketch the scene, collect data, interview involved personnel, and analyze information to identify root causes and actionable safety improvements. Liability questions may arise in legal or insurance contexts, but they aren’t the primary aim of the on-scene investigation.