| Popis: |
Human-factors (HF) engineers conceptualize the human as an integrated component of a human–environment–device system that has a performance goal. Such a system can be anything from a tooth brush or sidewalk to a nuclear power plant or space vehicle. Humans have many unique capabilities, but they also have recognized limitations in terms of sensory capability, perception, memory, knowledge, physical capabilities, emotional makeup, beliefs, and motivation and are thus less than 100% reliable. When humans are “critical” components in a system (their actions/inaction can lead to a system failure), design that does not take into account these limitations can result in inadequate human performance with catastrophic system results such as those experienced at Three Mile Island, Bhopal, and Chernobyl. Investigation of these and numerous other disastrous events has revealed that many of them resulted from the lack of HF considerations in system design. The two major components of most systems with human components are (1) the physical, engineered components and (2) the people (users/operators). The performance of human–machine systems is dependent on the nature, formation, and interaction of the human and engineered subsystems—and the context or environment in which they function. There are two areas in which HF play a role in forensic analysis: (1) cognitive, perceptual, and behavioral science dealing with what a human (a) is or can be aware of (detects/perceives), (b) understands/knows, (c) can accurately evaluate (make decisions about), (d) believes/is motivated to do, and (e) can reasonably respond to/do; and (2) the ergonomics dealing with the capabilities of the human body regarding movement, strength, and endurance. Closing the chapter is the case study for Cook versus Iowa, a case in which HF played a strong role in the evidence. |
