Whether it’s a crime scene or workplace misconduct, Investigation is the search for clues or evidence that can help solve an issue. As the OED states, “Investigation is a careful and minute research; an examination; a search or inquiry.”

An investigative report should be clear, concise, and objective. It should also be well-organized, with a clear beginning, main body and conclusion. As with any type of document, an investigative report should be proofed thoroughly for clarity and repetitions as well as for grammatical mistakes. According to Woodward, a good tip for writers is to read their work out loud to catch errors.

The first section in an investigation report should include case identification details, referral source information and the allegation being investigated (e.g., harassment, discrimination or retaliation). This information should be documented clearly and accurately.

Another key part of the investigative process is interviewing witnesses and analyzing evidence. It’s important to document the results of interviews and any documents reviewed. The credibility assessment should list any indicators that suggest a witness isn’t credible.

Once all of the information has been collected and analyzed, it’s time to write the investigation summary. The summary should be organized in a way that anybody internal or external to the company could read it and understand its contents without reference to other investigation materials. It should also include a plan of action, indicating what type of corrective action should be taken based on the findings of the investigation.