NASA Procedures and Guidelines
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NPR 8621.1 Eff. Date: June 02, 2000 Cancellation Date: February 11, 2004	NASA Procedures and Guidelines for Mishap Reporting, Investigating, and Recordkeeping
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1.1 Maps, Diagrams, Drawings, Charts, and Field Techniques

At the beginning of an investigation, the recording and measurement of transient evidence is essential. In followup stages, engineering as-built drawings can normally be used for reporting the extent and debris locations. However, before adding transient measurements to as-built drawings, superfluous detail should be removed; e.g., location of irrelevant sewer in a waste management mishap. Facility drawings should be made available and accessible to the investigator.

1.1.1 Maps.

1.1.1.1 Overall, small scale maps of longer distances and directions, as well as large scale maps of the immediate scene will be useful. It is on the latter that witness locations will normally be shown.

1.1.1.2 Measurements may be indicated by a reference point (angle and direction), triangulation (two angles), or by using a grid.

1.1.1.3 Both fixed and transient evidence are important to the investigator and can be recorded on maps. Fixed evidence includes landmarks and natural features that will not move or deteriorate rapidly. Transient evidence refers to any other evidence that may deteriorate rapidly or can be easily removed or altered. The transient evidence to be recorded centers primarily on two elements: (1) locations of wreckage and debris, and (2) locations of persons (sometimes compiled on a separate witness map).

1.1.2 Diagrams.

1.1.2.1 Diagrams are arbitrary or stylized pictures of reality that can show distribution or depict sequences, flows, or processes. Flow and motion diagrams can include flow of energy, materials, plans, personnel; etc. They are useful to the investigator in visualizing the flows and sequences that were occurring, or should have been occurring, before, during, and after the mishap. Diagrams may be existing or may have to be created by, or for, the investigation board.

1.1.2.2 Diagrams of the mishap area, to scale, and indicating relative positions of equipment, wreckage, bodies, obstructions, flight path (if applicable), positions of witnesses, etc., should be prepared for study during the investigation. Several methods may be used in plotting the area diagram. The choice depends mostly upon terrain. These methods are as follows:

a. Grid. The grid consists of equal size squares, the scale and size of which depends upon extent of wreckage scatter. Grid lines should be laid off on ordinal compass headings, using surveyor's equipment or a compass and tape. (Overlay or circular grid over square grid is useful in explosive mishaps where a radial pattern of debris may be expected.) The grid should be "anchored" at one corner to a permanent reference point and all grid references taken from the corner. References to locations are then shown as grid coordinates.

b. Straight Line Distance. A straight line is extended from a starting point, usually the initial impact point, down the centerline of the wreckage distribution. The centerline is marked in distance increments (feet, yards, meters, etc.) to indicate distance from the initial point and all other measures are taken at 90 degree angles to the central reference line. In this case references are recorded as distance from the reference point and distance from the centerline at 90 degree angles (60.5 feet/14.7 feet right or East).

c. Distance and Heading. This method consists of plotting significant wreckage parts by distance and degrees from a central or initial point, normally the impact point. The presentation will be basically the same as the grid system but will require a full time surveyor and may consume more time.

d. Circular Plot. This is especially useful when there is a uniform distribution of wreckage. The circular plot is referenced to a point at the center of the mishap area. All references are then made as compass headings from North and a distance from the center reference (137 degrees/ 475.5 feet).

e. Vertical Photographs. Aerial photographs can be used to advantage where wreckage is scattered over a great distance or where extreme terrain problems exist. This type of vertical photograph is especially adaptable in early coverage of a mishap involving hazardous material contamination.

f. Layout Plans or Photography. When mishaps occur in areas for which drawings are available or where helicopter coverage is most convenient, it is preferred that wreckage plotting be accomplished on layout plans or with the aid of close range aerial photographs. Three dimensional (perspective) drawings, cutaway drawings, and schematics may be useful for plotting areas where depth cannot be shown by vertical drawings, maps, or photographs.

1.1.3 Drawings. These should be simplified pictures of reality, such as manufacturing or construction prints, perspective drawings, cutaway drawings, etc. Drawings can often be highlighted or captioned to call attention to significant detail. The initial effort is to record only transient evidence in a sketch roughly to scale. Do not measure locations of permanent fixed objects. They can be located on copies of drawings at a later time.

1.1.4 Charts.

1.1.4.1 These may include photographic reproductions of records (e.g., temperature and pressure), trend analysis or types and classes (commonly seen as "statistics"), and organization charts. For statistical charting, the best advice is to consult a good statistician. However, two potential problem areas are:

1.1.4.2 Do not use broken scales on charts. Possible exception: If a variation of 1 or 2 percent in a factor is significant (i.e., a causal factor), a broken scale chart to highlight the detail may be useful. Also, if a single value would compress the scale so as to eliminate useful detail, simply note it at the top with an arrow pointing up.

1.1.4.3 Do not connect discontinuous data with a trend line or use a bar chart. Possible exception: When two or more profiles are being compared.

1.1.4.4 For organization charts, which should be a required exhibit in most reports, the rule is to store complete organization charts in investigation board files and use a report exhibit to show only relevant structures and relationships such as: (1) the organizational chain from the mishap organization manager up to the senior executive officer in the mishap organization and to the ultimate chief executive officer if appropriate (for example, to the NASA Administrator), and (2) to show organizational placement of major functions, such as safety, quality, training, engineering, purchasing, and maintenance. Factors of remoteness may be significant, either because remoteness produced poor communications or remoteness affected the independence or review. When maps, drawings, diagrams, and charts are used to record evidence, note the same types of items which are applicable when making photographs. Do not use more diagrams, drawings, and charts than absolutely necessary. Unneeded charts can slow understanding.

1.1.5 Field Techniques.

1.1.5.1 The most versatile field tools the investigator has for mapping and diagramming are his pencil and pad. Investigators do not need to be world-class artists to be effective in the field. Care, diligence, and attention to detail will provide excellent results and yield information that will be valuable later. The two figures that follow show an evidence record log (Figure B-2-1) and a drawing of a mishap scene (Figure B-2-2). The drawing is used for relational perspective and the log supports it with detail about each piece of evidence.

1.1.5.2 This approach keeps the drawing from being so cluttered that information runs together. It also allows the investigator to keep drawings of complex sites on a manageable size sheet of paper.

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