Rodents and SCAT Trails in Investigations

I was sent an investigations method format the other day called SCAT. Typical of investigations systems on the market, it is: linear, designed for the assessment of objects, closed in thinking, has no focus on persons, not focus on unconscious decision making or heuristics, promotes tick and flick and, is anchored to a host of safety mythologies. You can see here: chart of the SCAT model

In Australia, a Scat is a poo, the excrement left behind by that pesky possum you can get out of your roof. Scat can also mean ‘leave me alone’. A useful reminder that when people are traumatised by an event or by observing a traumatising event, they don’t need some unskilled investigator punching leading questions at them.

If you are interested in the language of ‘scat’ and its associated use as metaphor, you can look here: https://www.toknowtheland.com/blog/towardsabetterunderstandingofscat

In investigations one can look at Scats and determine a range of things but there is nothing quite like direct observation and effective listening.

Indeed, knowing how to ask effective questions (open questions) is essential for effective investigations. I read a HOP book once called ‘Better Questions’ and there was nothing in the book on effective methods of questioning. Similarly, there was nothing on ethical assumptions in questioning or anything about persons or learning.  Just more of what Safety does best, stating what is by what isn’t.

Indeed, there is nothing in any safety curriculum that I have seen that begins to tackle the essentials of communication suited to investigation, effective questioning, unconscious messaging, investigator bias, methods design bias, reflective listening or understanding trauma.

Moreso, when a so called ‘Codes of Ethics’ in safety (Figure 1. AIHS Code of Ethics) states that safety is ‘objective’ and ‘impartial’ you know that whatever follows will be ‘blind freddy’ equipped with a naïve checklist seeking an outcome designed by the checklist – a SCAT!

Figure 1. AIHS Code of Ethics

No doubt SCAT generates an easy outcome (with easy drop down menus) but clearly involves no need to: listen, care, understand or empathise. Without these one should never enter any investigation process.

However, if you want to develop foundation skills in investigation that tackles the gaps in traditional investigation methods (https://safetyrisk.net/seek-investigations-workshop-online/), you can study here: https://cllr.com.au/product/seek-the-social-psychology-of-event-investigations-unit-2-elearning/

SEEK is a positive practical method for tackling investigations, not burdened with checklist thinking or pre-set methods to give ‘tick and flick’ outcomes.

SEEK uses the open iCue method of investigating that enables persons conducting an investigation to listen effectively, use open questioning and helping skills to enable empathy in analysis of events.

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Prof. Robert Long

Expert in Social Psychology, Principal & Trainer at Human Dymensions

Latest posts by Prof. Robert Long (see all)

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PhD., MEd., MOH., BEd., BTh., Dip T., Dip Min., Cert IV TAA, MRMIA Rob is the founder of Human Dymensions and has extensive experience, qualifications and expertise across a range of sectors including government, education, corporate, industry and community sectors over 30 years. Rob has worked at all levels of the education and training sector including serving on various post graduate executive, post graduate supervision, post graduate course design and implementation programs.