HOW TO CONDUCT AN EFFECTIVE SECRET INVESTIGATION

The common objective in every investigation is to gather facts about a certain incident so that a resolution of an existing problem and chaotic situation could be achieved. Also, obtain relevant data to support or clear some issues as well as to stand as evidence in court proceedings. The clients who sought the investigation, readers or selected jury or lawyers outside the agency the private investigator is connected might scrutinize every aspect of any investigation. Hence, an investigation is not something that should be done haphazardly or without a clear plan in mind. If not, the investigation report might be obscure and useless, thereby hard to decipher later. Since an investigation might later be subject to scrutiny, every part of the investigation should be documented including the up-front planning processes until the completion of the investigative reports. Hence, the following ideas would help the investigator conduct an effective secret investigation:

a. Know the mission through proper briefing. Before handling the job, the purposes of the investigations should be properly discussed. The information needed to be gathered should also be figured out.
b. Set-up a time frame of the investigation. Although other investigation needs much time in scrutinizing the data provided or data gathering, it should also meet the deadline so as to give more value on the investigative reports. This would resolve the issues quickly.
c. Form an investigative support team. If other relevant information were missed out during the first attempt, other support team could do the follow-up inquiries so as not to get “burnout”.
d. Determine whom to interview. Investigators should consider the people to be inquired upon. Also, by knowing the mission, investigator would probably knows as to who are the capable person to give the necessary information.
e. Where to conduct the inquiry. The characteristics and status of the informants also depends on the areas and location they are in. Hence, information they may know may be limited too.
f. What manner of interview would be done. Investigators may have their own styles and methods of investigation. They may differ on how critical the mission is or what approach they may use to make the investigation run smoothly with little risks and have a positive outcome.
g. Prepare a set of written questions. So as not to forget the information needed, a series of questions could be formulated beforehand so as not to buckle while doing the interviews. Also, to avoid the informant from getting aware of the investigation. Investigator should deliver questions professionally.
h. Prepare extensive cover stories. To avoid conflict, the investigator should have least three cover stories should be in your mind. If the first one would not work, you still have second and third options.
i. When to conduct multiple interviews. Rounds of interviews may tend to contradictions of informants’ claims but it is a technique to assess better the credibility of their statements from one another. They might have different ideas on the issue which may also support each statement.
j. Plan for follow-up interviews. Considering the information and documents gathered on few inquiries, subsequent interviews may be necessary to check its veracity as well as to dig deeper other relevant issue.
k. Minimize informant’s intimidation. Informants might get intimidated with the presence of other people during the course of investigation. Also, with the degree of questions being asked. Application of need-to-know basis should also be observed.
l. Obtain confirmatory written remarks/notes. Relevant information should be properly documented for future reference. Also, to give clear understanding on the issue. It would minimize the opportunity for the informant to dispute investigators recollection of the interview or retraction of story.
m. Obtain relevant documents, photographs and location maps. Attachments to the reports like documents make the report more credible.
n. Avoid needless theorizing and comments. Investigator’s comments may put the investigation into a compromising situation. It may lead to confusions and contradiction to the authenticity of the information from other informant.

Bear in mind that the investigation report is more often and not challenged legally, hence, the private investigator will likewise be asked to defend the fairness and quality of the investigative process. The very well-planned investigation would surely have good result. Flaws would also be minimized if not eliminated. Otherwise, accuracy and credibility would be jeopardized.


Melvin R. Royo