Investigation Best Practices for Your Case

Professional investigation isn’t about being secretive or deceptive—it’s about being thorough, objective, and strategic. These principles help build cases that withstand scrutiny and convince authorities to take action.

Core Investigation Principles

1. Objectivity

• Pursue facts, not predetermined conclusions
• Follow evidence where it leads
• Acknowledge information that contradicts your position
• Separate facts from opinions and emotions

2. Documentation

• Record everything with dates, times, and sources
• Create clear, organized records
• Maintain chain of custody
• Preserve original documents and evidence

3. Systematic Approach

• Create a case timeline
• Identify all relevant parties
• Map connections and relationships
• Analyze patterns over time

4. Legal Compliance

• Respect privacy and property rights
• Don’t access systems without authorization
• Follow applicable laws for evidence gathering
• Consult with legal counsel about investigative steps

Key Investigation Techniques

Timeline Analysis

• Create detailed chronologies of events
• Identify causation and patterns
• Show progression and escalation
• Visualize relationships between incidents

Financial Analysis

• Review financial records for irregularities
• Track money flow and transactions
• Identify discrepancies and anomalies
• Calculate damages and losses

Records Research

• Obtain public records (court filings, property records, business registrations)
• Request documents through FOIA/open records requests
• Analyze official filings and regulatory documents
• Create comprehensive records compilations

Witness Documentation

• Identify relevant witnesses
• Document their accounts thoroughly
• Note witness credibility and context
• Preserve written statements

Pattern Recognition

• Look for recurring behaviors
• Identify discriminatory patterns
• Analyze enforcement consistency
• Document systemic issues

Building a Strong Case File

Your investigation should produce:

1. Executive Summary - Clear overview of findings and conclusions
2. Detailed Timeline - Chronological account of events
3. Evidence Organization - Clearly labeled and indexed documents
4. Analysis Section - Professional interpretation of evidence
5. Supporting Documentation - Organized appendix with all evidence
6. Conclusion - Clear summary of what evidence demonstrates

Common Investigation Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t:

• Start with a conclusion and work backward
• Ignore evidence that contradicts your position
• Contaminate evidence through improper handling
• Access restricted information or systems
• Make assumptions without documentation
• Rely on hearsay instead of direct evidence
• Conduct investigation in angry, emotional state

Do:

• Follow methodical investigation process
• Consider alternative explanations
• Handle evidence carefully and legally
• Document your investigation methodology
• Let evidence speak for itself
• Collaborate with professionals (attorneys, accountants, forensic experts)
• Remain objective and professional

When to Engage Professional Investigators

Professional investigation is valuable when:

• The case involves complex financial analysis
• Multiple locations or parties are involved
• You need expert presentation of evidence
• You want investigative findings to carry maximum credibility
• You need to reconstruct historical information
• The investigation requires specialized knowledge
• You want to strengthen your legal position

The Investigation Report

A professional investigation produces a report that:

• Clearly states methodology and limitations
• Presents findings supported by evidence
• Distinguishes facts from conclusions
• Provides objective analysis
• Stands up to scrutiny and cross-examination
• Can be used in legal proceedings, administrative complaints, or with regulatory agencies

Using Your Investigation

Once investigation is complete:

• Share findings with your attorney
• File complaints with relevant agencies
• Provide documentation to supporting organizations
• Use in settlement negotiations
• Present in legal proceedings if necessary

Conclusion

Strong investigation doesn’t rely on drama or accusations—it relies on thorough documentation, objective analysis, and evidence that stands scrutiny. The more comprehensive and professional your investigation, the more seriously authorities and decision-makers take your case.

If your situation requires professional investigation to build a compelling case, we’re here to help. Contact us to discuss your investigation needs and how we can strengthen your documentation.