Investigation Report

What is an Investigation Report?

The results of an investigation are described in detail in an investigation report. As soon as a formal complaint is filed or an incident occurs, an investigation is started. The investigators record the facts, analyse the evidence and formulate a conclusion. The investigation should be impartial and based on objective evidence.

Investigation reports aim to provide decision-makers with facts that are necessary to determine how to proceed. They can also be used to ensure that a case is investigated timely, thoroughly and accurately.

This article deals with:

1. 3 essential steps: How to write an investigative report

2. Elements of a investigation report template

3. Write an investigation report with a digital tool

Create investigation report: 3 essential steps

An Investigation Report Checklist using a Sample is a step-by-step method for determining facts about a topic or incident. However, without proper documentation through an official investigation report, it is not possible to draw a clear picture of what happened. To ensure that all facts, witness statements and evidence are gathered for later analysis, an investigator should follow three essential steps.

Step 1: Start with what you know

As an investigator, you record information from the conversation with the person concerned (interviewee or accused) and the details of the complaint. In particular, record the time, date and location of the person making the statement.

Step 2: Analyse the data collected

The analysis of the evidence supports the allegations made by one of the parties. The investigator gathers evidence such as film footage, e-mail records, documents or papers, physical objects, etc. and documents investigative statements. This material is then analyzed to identify relevant facts, assess the credibility of disputed information and exclude irrelevant facts.

Step 3: Formulate a conclusion

Templates a conclusion based on the facts and evidence you have gathered. At the end of the report, you, as the investigator, indicate whether the matter is well-founded, unfounded or inconclusive.

Elements of a investigation report template

In the world of work, it happens time and again that an incident needs to be examined more closely using an investigation report. Every company should have a template with variable elements for the investigation report to make this easier. This not only makes it easier for the investigator to record the information but also facilitates the exchange of information between superiors and employees who have to evaluate the incident.

A template for the test report should contain the following elements:

1. Type of incident
2. Date and place
3. Affected working
4. Affected person
5. Story in brief
6. Property (all information collected, such as witness statements etc.)
7. Evidence (e.g. photos, documents)
8. Additional information (e.g. legal regulations, effects on the company, reference to comparable incidents)
9. Conclusion
10. Proposals for further action/measures
11. Name of the investigator or investigators
12. Signature as confirmation of the correctness of the information
13. Date of taking of evidence

Depending on the sector and the purpose of the investigation, a report may include other, less or differently named elements. The structure of the template has to be adapted accordingly by the investigator.

Write an investigation report with a digital tool

Documenting the evidence with pen and paper and compiling it into an investigation report is time consuming and tedious. Lumiform's mobile app allows you to create any type of report easily via smartphone or tablet - online or offline.

With the app you can get all the information on the spot and always have everything you need at hand. The easy communication with all team members and management allows you to improve internal investigations and solve incidents up to four times faster. All the benefits of Lumiform for your investigation and the report that follows:

• The flexible form builder helps you to create individual investigation report templates in minutes.
• Add unlimited images and comments.
• All the information, witness statements and evidence collected is automatically bundled into an investigation report and can be sent to superiors.
• The very simple operation offers no margin for error for inspectors on site. The app offers less complexity in documenting or filling out checklists than complicated paper or Excel lists.