Investigative Reporting & Documentation Flashcards

In the context of investigative reporting, 'due diligence' documentation typically includes:

Answer: Comprehensive records of all investigative steps taken and sources consulted

Due diligence documentation must show the full scope of investigative steps, sources, and methodology to demonstrate thoroughness and professional standard of care.

Which is an example of improper evidence documentation in a security investigation?

Answer: Writing case numbers directly on evidence with permanent marker without bagging first

Writing directly on evidence without proper collection procedures can contaminate or alter the evidence, compromising its admissibility and integrity.

A 'bate stamp' or sequential numbering system in investigative file management serves to:

Answer: Provide a unique identifier for each page, ensuring completeness and preventing substitution

Sequential Bates numbering creates a unique identifier for every document page, enabling precise reference and detecting missing or substituted pages.

When an investigative report is classified as 'privileged and confidential,' this typically means:

Answer: It was prepared at the direction of counsel and may be protected from discovery

Reports prepared at the direction of an attorney may be protected under attorney-client privilege or attorney work-product doctrine, limiting discovery.

Which element distinguishes a professional investigative report from an informal memorandum?

Answer: Formal structure including case identifiers, methodology, findings, and conclusions with citations

Professional investigative reports follow a formal structure with standardized sections that ensure completeness, objectivity, and legal defensibility.

An investigator conducting a background investigation should document the source of each piece of information because:

Answer: Source documentation allows findings to be independently verified and demonstrates due diligence

Documenting sources enables verification, supports the reliability of findings, and demonstrates that the investigator met professional standards of thoroughness.

Under the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act), when investigative consumer reports are used for employment screening, the employer must:

Answer: Provide pre-adverse action disclosure and a copy of the report before making an adverse decision

The FCRA requires employers to give subjects a pre-adverse action notice, a copy of the report, and a summary of rights before taking adverse employment action.