56M Perini S/Y Bayesian Sinks During Palermo Storm

The prosecutor conducts a (criminal) investigation, in any case of personal injury or death. These findings go to court for trial. These are 2 independent steps with 2 independent entities. Family members and others may join the trial and contribute their own legal opinions. This is the case in any kind of accident Europe.

The investigations (only) collect the facts of the case (what happened), whereas the trial then match them to the elements of a crime (if what happened is criminally relevant). A subtle but immensely important difference, which is only too often neglected, as we jump from media coverage to conclusions.

In Germany there is a special agency in the ministry of transportation, the "Bundesstelle für Seeunfalluntersuchung (BSU)", which is required to investigate and publish a written, public, report within 12 month. The sole objective of BSU accident investigations is to determine the circumstances and causes as well as the contributing factors of the accident with a view to preserve life and avoid accidents in the future, not to apportion blame, or settle liability or claims.