Safety investigation of exceptional events

An exceptional event refers to a very serious event resulting in death or damaging the basic functions of society, which is not an accident. Exceptional events are typically intentionally caused.

Unlike the safety investigation of accidents and dangerous situations, the investigation of an exceptional event is initiated by a decision of the Government. The Government appoints an investigation team consisting either entirely or partly of investigators from the Safety Investigation Authority, or entirely of other experts. The investigation team works in connection with OTKES independently and autonomously. We provide the investigation team with administrative support so that they can focus on the investigation.

In the investigation of an exceptional event, the course of events, causes and consequences, as well as the rescue operations and the actions of the authorities, are examined. In addition, matters related to the perpetrator may be examined to the extent necessary. The purpose is to prevent a similar event from occurring. The investigation is conducted solely to improve safety, and the investigation team does not take a position on issues of guilt, responsibility, or liability for damages.

The outcome of the investigation is an investigation report, which includes safety recommendations at the end for preventing similar events and for improving rescue operations and the activities of the authorities. The investigation report prepared on an exceptional event is submitted to the Government.

Examples of exceptional events most recently investigated include the data breach targeting the City of Helsinki in spring 2024, the first phase of the coronavirus epidemic in 2020, and the stabbings in Turku in summer 2017.