What should you do when interviewing traffic crash witnesses?

Interviewing traffic crash witnesses separately and as soon as possible is crucial for several reasons. First, interviewing witnesses individually reduces the likelihood of them influencing each other's recollections. When witnesses are grouped together, they may inadvertently blend their memories, leading to inconsistencies or shared biases that can obscure accurate facts about the incident.

Additionally, conducting interviews soon after the event helps ensure that the witnesses remember the details more clearly. Time can cause memories to fade or become distorted, as witnesses might forget critical information or inadvertently alter their accounts due to external influences or discussions with others.

This approach aligns with best practices in gathering eyewitness testimony, which emphasizes the importance of independent, immediate, and untainted accounts of an incident. Assessing the statements of each witness on their own allows investigators to gather comprehensive and accurate information that can be critical in understanding the circumstances surrounding the crash.