it is the result of the mishap. The cause of a mishap is usually discovered during an investiga- tion of an injury or damage. DEFINITIONS Before continuing, let’s define some of the terms with which you as an investigator need to be familiar: Mishap —Any unplanned or unexpected event causing material loss or damage or causing personnel injury or death; or an occurrence that, except for proximity or timely action, would have resulted in damage or injury. Mishap investigation —A check of the facts surrounding the causes of a mishap; conducted by the command involved using the procedures outlined in OPNAVINST 5102.1C. JAG Manual investigation —A check that provides  official,  factual  documentation  of  all matters pertaining to a mishap, which can be used for legal or administrative action. Naval Safety Center investigation —An inde- pendent check conducted based on the guidelines of a mishap investigation. It is in addition to, but not a substitution for, either a JAG Manual investigation or the mishap investigation conducted by the local command. Protection of information —The requirement that prevents individuals who are conducting a separate  mishap  investigation  from  divulging information  obtained  or  from  providing  an opinion based on that information to any other fact-finding body. The limitations on the use of statistical mishap reports. The prevention of any part  of  Personnel  Injury/Death/Occupational Illness Report (OPNAV Form 5102/1) or Material (Property)  Damage  Mishap  Report  (OPNAV Form 5102/2) being used in any other investiga- tion.  Protection  of  information  is  based  on OPNAVINST 5102.1C. INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES Your investigation should answer the questions of What? Where? When? How? and Why? Your investigative procedures should be geared toward these questions as well. You should begin your investigation as soon as possible after the mishap. The sooner you begin,  the  better  the  investigation  will  be. Witnesses will be present. More accurate facts can be gathered because of the possibility that the damage or materials should be in the same relative position as when the mishap occurred. You will have very little time to plan your investigation. You should be ready to proceed with the collection of facts and circumstances with little prior notification. Real evidence, such as photographs, records, operating logs,    and  damaged  equipment  or material, can be shared by the investigative bodies. Items that fail to meet military or manufacturer’s standards should be marked for investigation by the appropriate technical authority. Photographs can provide invaluable evidence. They should be clear and provide enough detail to actually depict the situation. Color photographs should be used if possible, but black and white will suffice. Polaroid instant prints present an accurate representation of the scene. However, Polaroid type prints are difficult to reproduce or enlarge. You should take the photographs from at least two different angles and use a ruler in the photographs to show exact dimensions. Sketches may be used instead of or in conjunction with photographs. Sketches should be  drawn  to  scale.  Use  graph  paper  if  it  is available. Pieces of equipment or material should be carefully handled to ensure physical evidence is not destroyed. Each item should be tagged with a full descriptive relationship to the accident. A photograph or sketch should be included with items sent out for laboratory testing to show the “as  found”  location  or  condition. Verbatim copies of operating logs, records, directives, and so forth, should be made. If possible, make a photocopy or photograph. Make notations of obvious erasures and mark-overs, and make sure the notations appear in the photo- copy  or  photograph. Since testimony in a safety investigation is unsworn, all verbal information must be fully evaluated. You should always remember that this information is to be used for the single purpose 8-2