Investigating skills

Investigative competence

At the beginning of an investigation, you start with very little information or direction. What strategy do you want to take? How do you want to gather your information? You will have to come up with hypotheses for what you think could have happened and then test it in reality. The ability to learn from experience is key to identifying hidden and revealing cues early on.

2. Appraisal of incoming information

Information is only helpful if it is valid and credible.  So being able to evaluate the relevance, reliability and validity of information is crucial. This means remaining objective and avoiding speculation at all times, verifying  ‘expert’ advice and it even requires you to play ‘devil’s advocate’ from time to time.

3. Adaptation 

Investigations evolve and can change direction when you least expect it. Thus, investigators need to remain flexible and open-minded to the changing needs of the investigation, grasping new opportunities as they present themselves – not concentrating on one line of enquiry at the expense of all.