Maintaining the Integrity of an Investigation

Regardless of the investigation type and its potential to end up in a court of law, all personnel involved with an investigation must accept that protecting the integrity of that investigation is of paramount importance.

This requires that processes, procedures, training, and the conduct of those involved all must:

• Respect and abide by ethical walls that compartmentalize the investigation away from all other business activities, resources, and people.
• Abide by legal requirements for nondisclosure to anyone, including other organizational officers or superiors. This is especially important to avoid tipping off someone who is actively involved in the suspect activity (i.e., a coconspirator).
• Respect and support all aspects of evidence handling, control of the scene(s) of the incident, and the property of individuals who may be even tangentially involved in the incident or its investigation.

Balancing these rights and responsibilities against the normal business pressures to get back in business is difficult but vital.

Failure to do so can cause even more trouble for the organization, and the one(s) who violate these boundaries, than the original incident itself would have caused.

• Respect and support all aspects of evidence handling, control of the scene(s) of the incident, and the property of individuals who may be even tangentially involved in the incident or its investigation.
• Respect and protect the rights of individuals and other parties, particularly with respect to privacy, self-incrimination, fair employment, and appropriate working conditions.
• Ensure that all communications with outside people and organizations are routed through appropriate organizational channels and officials.