Investigation is the process of examining and researching a subject. Most people associate this term with the legal arena, such as police investigations of crimes or human resource investigations into allegations of misconduct and personal workplace grievances. Investigations may be conducted internally by a company or externally by a regulatory body, and can involve many diverse aspects including whistleblower protections, workplace harassment, potential criminal conduct or financial fraud.
The OED defines Investigation as, “a search or inquiry; systematic examination; careful and minute research.” A good investigator knows that details can make the difference between a case going one way or another, such as the single strand of hair found at a crime scene which could determine whether a suspect gets the death penalty or walks free.
A well-written investigation report can help accomplish key objectives such as ensuring that clear boundaries are set for the investigation (to avoid wasting time and resources on irrelevant information or evidence) and determining if the investigation was conducted procedurally fair to all stakeholders. It is also important to consider the impact of the investigation on all involved, especially if there are complainants or respondents that may be traumatized by their participation.
A good investigative reporter knows that a great investigation report can save weeks, months or even years in the long run by presenting all of the relevant facts in a simple, concise and accurate summary. This helps to ensure that high-level stakeholders get a good overall picture of the allegations, the investigation and its outcome without having to go through all of the details themselves.