Vorfall

Vorfall is a German noun used to denote an incident or occurrence. In everyday language it refers to an event that is noteworthy, unexpected, or disrupts normal proceedings. The term is widely used across professional contexts such as law enforcement, safety management, journalism, and information technology, where accountable reporting and documentation are required.

Etymology: The word combines the prefix vor-, meaning "before," with Fall, meaning "case" or "occurrence." Historically, it points to something that has happened rather than something planned. In contemporary usage, a Vorfall is an event that may require investigation, response, or record-keeping, without necessarily indicating fault.

Contexts: In police and public administration, a Vorfall is a reported incident that may range from minor disturbances to serious accidents. In corporate and IT settings, it describes events such as security incidents, system outages, or data compromises (Datenvorfall). In healthcare, adverse events or safety incidents may be referred to as Vorfälle.

Reporting and classification: Organizations typically log a Vorfall, assign a severity level, investigate causes, and implement corrective measures. The term emphasizes the occurrence itself rather than assigning blame. A Vorfallbericht is the document that records the details, timeline, and outcomes of the incident.

See also: Ereignis, Vorfallbericht, Sicherheitsvorfall, Datenvorfall, incident.