OTA Institute: Accident Investigation - A Deeper Look (Advanced Methods)

Description

This is Part 2 of a two-part Accident Investigation series. Part 2 dives deeper into Accident Investigations. Attendance in Part 1 is not required, but having a basic understanding of the topic is recommended. Click here to learn more about Part 1.

This advanced course builds on foundational accident investigation concepts, giving safety professionals and operations leaders the tools to conduct more effective, in-depth investigations. Participants will focus on deeper interviewing techniques, credibility testing, integrating physical evidence with statements, and developing a clean, defensible crash narrative that holds up under internal review, claims scrutiny, and potential litigation.

Led by Dan Katt of Katt Safety Services, LLC, this full-day session emphasizes practical application through advanced methods and real-world scenarios, helping attendees produce investigation-ready files and strengthen the defensibility of their crash investigations.

The session will be held June 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the OTA Training Center in Westerville.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Execute advanced interview strategies for shaken drivers, reluctant witnesses, and conflicting accounts
• Use structured methods to reduce hindsight bias and “gap-filling” errors
• Reconcile statements with physical evidence and identify inconsistencies early
• Apply more precise measurement and diagram techniques to preserve a defensible scene record
• Evaluate camera and video sources—including dash, door, and surveillance footage—and preserve them properly
• Produce an “investigation-ready” file with timelines, key facts, unanswered questions, and next steps

Key Topic Areas:

• Advanced interviewing: sequencing, calibration, and contamination controls
• Credibility indicators and statement validation
• Evidence integration: building and stress-testing the investigation timeline
• Enhanced documentation: diagrams, measurement logic, and preservation strategies
• Case study workshop: transforming messy facts into defensible findings

Take-Home Tools:

• Advanced interview frameworks for drivers and witnesses
• Evidence-to-timeline worksheet
• “Defensible file” checklist for internal quality assurance

A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The training costs $225 for OTA members and $425 for non-members.

Schedule: 
8:30AM          Session Begins
12:00PM        Lunch
4:00PM          Session Concludes 

About the Trainer:
Dan Katt is a veteran safety and security professional with more than 45 years of experience spanning law enforcement, accident investigation, corporate risk management, and safety consulting. He spent 27 years with the Cincinnati Police Department, specializing in traffic safety, fatal crash investigation, and instructor-led training. Dan also served for 20 years as Corporate Loss Control Manager for Rumpke Waste & Recycling, where he led accident investigations, safety audits, litigation support, and multi-state employee training programs. Throughout his career, he has instructed more than 1,000 participants and served as a trusted liaison between private industry, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies. Dan is the President of Katt Safety Services, LLC, providing safety, security, and compliance training to organizations across the Midwest. He is widely respected for his practical, real-world approach to risk reduction, incident response, and workforce safety education.

Refund Policy:
Our refund policy is as follows:

• You will receive a 100% refund if you cancel more than 10 days before the training.
• You will receive a 75% refund if you cancel more than 3 days before the training.
• You will receive no refund if you cancel less than 3 days before the training.
• No shows are responsible for 100% of the registration fees.