How can you be the best investigator?

There are many skills that when combined, can open up a path to becoming the best investigator. The best investigator stands apart with a unique combination of skills, traits, and qualities. Keep in mind that what we consider the ideal combination may be different to what other companies consider. However, at the very least, this is a comprehensive list we think the whole industry can agree on. 

The best investigator: What skills to look out for

Attention to detail

As with any successful investigation, it all comes down to the details. Good investigators have an instinctive talent to see discrepancies, inconsistencies, or patterns that others cannot see. Attention to detail is especially important for finding gaps between stories which can lead to further evidence. When conducting an interview, an investigator will be able to find links between two seemingly unrelated parts of the conversation. 

A good investigator will be able to ask follow-up questions based on what the interviewees have said and use these questions to build credibility. 

Sorting out information

Another great quality of investigators is the ability to take massive volumes of information and reduce it to actionable insights. Sometimes cases can be complex, involve multiple people, different recounts of events and it might be hard to establish credibility. In this scenario, the best investigator will be able to look at each piece of information and figure out what the next steps are. They should also be able to determine whether certain evidence that they gathered is incomplete. 

Excellent communication skills

There aren’t many jobs that can be done well without great excellent communication. Effective communication is essential for achieving an effective investigation. The best investigators are able to interview the accused and the accuser, speak with witnesses, work with their colleagues, and present their findings. 

To do that, they usually find ways to communicate by guiding the interview to a certain place, without asking leading questions or intimidating the person. 

Body language also counts as communication. This means that investigators are always aware of their expressions and try to keep a demeanour that matches the investigation plan. 

Excellent communication skills are also necessary when writing the final investigation report. A good report will be clear, succinct and easy to understand. It will include just the right amount of detail without going into unnecessary events or findings. 

Persuasion

The ability to communicate what the investigators find in a way that is clear and compelling is a skill that is invaluable in all types of investigations. Great investigators are persistent and determined and know how to present facts so the interviewees will be persuaded into telling the truth. 

The investigator may keep some facts to themselves until after they have a full story, so they can establish whether the person across from them is sincere or not. 

Technologically savvy 

The best investigators today are tech-savvy and comfortable with utilising tools and software. From cybersecurity to case management, technology is critical in every step. For example, social media tools can help investigators determine whether a photo is authentic, whether a post has been edited or if messages have been deleted. 

Without being technologically savvy, investigators won’t be able to analyse the metadata of digital files, which means they are missing out on a lot of crucial information. They will need to know how social media works as well to detect misguided aggressions or misinformation. 

Every investigator team needs to be updated on the latest technologies to stay on top of their game. The investigators we work with have ditched manual case management and now trust Polonious to handle all the paperwork, so they can focus on the important tasks. From secure evidence management to automation and flexible workflows, our system knows how to make things easier for every team. Find out the benefits that our customers experience.

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Even though these should be a no-brainer, in practice, problem-solving and critical thinking are harder than one may think. It takes a lot of training and experience for an investigator to master these skills. The best investigator would take a rational, impartial stance with every case, and solely look at facts rather than rely on emotional responses.

There is a fine line between showing empathy but also being impartial. The best investigators find the right balance between the two to be able to solve each case. This is why a wide variety of evidence is their best friend., as it ensures all sides are considered and an investigator isn’t swayed by empathy towards one particular side in the absence of other perspectives.

Ethical behaviour and Integrity

Integrity is not negotiable when doing investigative work. The best investigators are the kind of people who make sure their methods and conclusions are the result of ethical and fair practices. This means that investigators shouldn’t cut corners, and treat every person with respect regardless of their role in the investigation process.

Workplace investigators are not judges, they can’t decide who is guilty and who is not. However, they can make recommendations based on the evidence they have collected. 

Observational skills

Many of the best investigators are observant, frequently picking up on questionable behaviour, shifts in personality, or open/closed body language. 

For investigations to run smoothly, investigators need to know how to make interviewees open up and share more details. Sometimes investigators may overstep, so it’s very important they observe the attitude of the individual sitting across them and change strategies when needed. 

Team collaboration

The best investigators work well with others and take advantage of different perspectives and skill sets. Investigators will most of the time find themselves working as part of a team. if they are not a part of that, then they will surely find themselves working with a client or a third party. 

This makes collaboration skills essential as no one wants to work with a difficult person. Being good at their job is only one side of the coin. Prioritising clear communication, transparency and respect can go a long way. 

Collaboration is also important because it can open up many paths for investigators. If they worked well with a company, then they may recommend them to another. If they work well with a team, then individuals within the team may give them helpful advice or tips on how they can progress in their careers.

Creating strong relationships is crucial in any industry. Investigators are not an exception.

Adaptability and flexibility

The best investigators work well in uncertainty, reviewing plans and adapting accordingly. Throughout the investigation process, they might discover new evidence or deal with changing priorities in a case. Staying calm and coming up with new steps and actions is necessary for meeting deadlines and achieving a fair and just investigation. 

Here are a few things they might face:

● Confronting evidence 

● Highly sensitive interviews 

● The need for counselling to be provided 

● For external or government bodies to be involved 

If you are not good at taking a step back and re-planning, it might be a good idea to ask for advice from other experts or take courses to strengthen your skills. 

Confidentiality

Dealing with sensitive information is a crucial part of investigative work. The best investigators know how important it is for confidentiality to be in every step of the process.

Investigators have a lot of things to deal with throughout an investigation. However, those who deal with us, are rest assured that we will handle confidentiality by:

● Giving them a secure system that prevents information leaks by storing information safely

● Allowing only those with access to see case files and/or updates

● Enabling a smooth communication line where investigators can share instructions without delays

Another way the best investigators ensure confidentiality is by prohibiting Individuals from sharing details about the process with people who aren’t directly involved in it. 

How close are you to being the best investigator?

During each investigation, every professional is likely to learn something new. 

However, to progress efficiently, what is usually needed is a strong set of tools that will support the investigator’s set of skills. At Polonious we have assisted numerous investigation teams all over the world to achieve their goals, reduce their turnaround times and cut down their admin costs. We have streamlined their case management so they can worry about the important things, while we worry about the rest. If you are looking for a system that can support you and your team, reach out today.