A practical guide to assessing scope, legality, confidentiality, reporting and professional standards before engaging an investigator.
This guide provides general educational information. It does not replace legal advice, regulatory guidance or a case-specific assessment.
Begin with the decision, not suspicion
Start by identifying the decision that depends on missing information. A useful brief defines the fact gap, why it matters, what is already known and what result would change the decision. Broad instructions encourage unnecessary collection and confirmation bias.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Check whether the purpose is legitimate
A responsible investigation requires a legitimate objective and appropriate authority. Curiosity, revenge, intimidation, harassment, impersonation or unauthorised access are not valid purposes.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Assess the provider’s process
Ask how scope is approved, how evidence is documented, who receives reports and how limitations are communicated. No professional provider can guarantee a predetermined finding.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Clarify confidentiality and information handling
Agree authorised recipients, communication channels, document transfer, retention and subcontractor controls. Avoid sending highly sensitive material through an ordinary first-contact message.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Understand the report and intended use
Clarify whether the output is a report, evidence schedule, briefing or technical extract. Material intended for legal proceedings should be discussed with qualified counsel.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Questions worth asking
Ask what the work will answer, which methods may be used, what is excluded, how changes are authorised and what happens when evidence is inconclusive.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Define the question, preserve relevant evidence, use proportionate methods and report limitations honestly.