Incident investigation reports should document the full range of which items?

• A. Facts
• B. Events
• C. Causes
• D. Recommendations

Answer: (A)

Documenting the full range of facts is essential because a solid incident report rests on an objective, verifiable record of what actually occurred. Facts encompass all observable data: what happened, when and where it happened, who was involved, equipment status, environmental conditions, measurements, and any logs or records collected. This gives readers a complete, auditable basis for understanding the incident without interpreting it prematurely. Events are part of these facts, but focusing on facts keeps the report grounded in data rather than conclusions. Causes and contributing factors are analytical judgments drawn from the factual record, while recommendations are proposed actions to prevent recurrence. By capturing the full set of facts, the report provides the solid foundation from which causes can be identified and improvements can be recommended.