Professional investigative work requires patience, neutrality, verification and respect for established investigative procedures. After avoiding bias, pre-judgment, bribery, compromised conduct and prejudice, an investigator must also guard against assumptions, rushed conclusions, inappropriate judgment, remote investigation without verification and manipulative methods of obtaining information.
This second part examines the remaining five practices to avoid wen conducting investigations.
6. Stereotyping
A professional investigator must remain neutral and avoid assumptions about people, situations or circumstances. Information, opinions and impressions should be tested against facts. Assumptions, hearsay and unverified opinions can distort the investigative process and prevent the investigator from reaching a reliable conclusion. The professional investigator should therefore practise rational and critical thinking and seek sufficient certainty before relying on information.
7. Rush Conclusion
Investigators must resist pressure to reach conclusions before the facts have been sufficiently established. A rushed conclusion can produce an unreliable report and undermine the credibility of the investigation. Professionalism requires patience, attention to discrepancies and commitment to completing the investigative process properly.
8. Overall Judgment
The investigator’s responsibility is to conduct the investigation according to professional procedures and present the findings appropriately. The investigator should not assume the role of the person or institution responsible for making the final judgment. Instead, the investigator should present the relevant findings and where appropriate, recommendations to the authorized office for further action and final decision.
9. Arm-Chair Investigation
An arm-chair investigation occurs when an investigator attempts to conduct an investigation from a distance without adequately verifying information against the realities of the situation. Professional investigation requires information to be tested for authenticity, relevance and practical reliability. Information that has not been properly verified may be weak and may not withstand critical examination when challenged.
10. Hypnotism
The source identifies hypnotism or psychologically coercive techniques as an unacceptable method of obtaining information from suspects or witnesses. The concern is particularly focused on the use of fear, threats or psychological manipulation to weaken a person’s ability to provide information freely. Such methods can undermine ethical investigative practice and the dignity and rights of the person being questioned. Professional investigators should therefore rely on ethical, lawful and professionally accepted investigative methods rather than manipulation or intimidation.
A professional investigator must remain neutral, patient, analytical and ethically disciplined. Stereotyping, rushed conclusions, inappropriate judgment, unverified information and psychologically manipulative methods can compromise the integrity of an investigation. He / She should therefore focus on establishing facts, verifying information, following appropriate procedures and presenting findings responsibly to the relevant authority.
Professional investigation is not simply about discovering information; it is about discovering, verifying and presenting information responsibly. At ISP, we believe that professional development should equip practitioners with the knowledge, discipline and practical mindset required to perform responsibly.
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