Digital Investigation Report Templates
Gather evidence and document investigative interviews easily from your mobile device
What is an Investigation Report?
An investigation report is a document that details the findings of an investigation as soon as a formal complaint is filed or an incident occurs. This is where investigators record the issues of the matter, analyze the evidence, and formulate a conclusion. It is impartial and based on evidence, not on the opinions of an investigator or the parties involved.
Investigation reports aim to provide decision-makers with the facts needed to determine a course of action. They can also be used to ensure that a case undergoes a timely, complete, and accurate investigation.
This article features (1) 3 essential steps to cover in investigation reports; (2) 4 benefits of using software for evidence documentation and investigation reporting; and (3) free investigation report templates you can download and customize, including an investigation report example for reference
3 Essential Steps in Writing a Comprehensive Investigation Report
An investigation is a step-by-step method for determining facts about an issue or incident. Without proper documentation via an official investigative report, however, one cannot present a clear picture of what happened. To ensure that all facts, testimonials and evidence are collated for later analysis, an investigator should follow three essential steps.
Start With What You Know
The investigator should record the information about the subject (respondent or accused person) and the details of the complaint. Take note of specific descriptions such as times, dates, and locations to further clarify the issues of the matter.
Example: Alicia Bates alleges that Clark Nichols, a payroll clerk, has been falsifying his timesheet. Alicia says that she noticed a discrepancy when she reviewed the timesheets in preparation for the January 2019 payroll. On February 4, Alicia required Clark to explain in writing said discrepancies and saw that it did not align with the hours that he reported.
Make Sense of What You Have
Evidence analysis can substantiate claims from either party. The investigator should gather physical evidence such as footage, email records, documents or papers, physical objects, etc. and document investigative interviews. These should then be analyzed to identify the relevant facts, assess the credibility of disputed facts, and dismiss irrelevant facts.
Example: CCTV footage shows that Clark was not in the office during the times he reported in his timesheet. I interviewed Clark on February 11, and he denied the allegations. He said that he would start as early as 4 AM sometimes and go to a local fast food chain for breakfast by 8 AM, which he argued explained his absence. Clark sought the assistance of a fellow payroll clerk, Alfred Mariano, to cover up his conduct. I interviewed Alfred on February 12, and he said that he usually sees Clark in the office after their lunch break.
Formulate a Conclusion
State the conclusion reached based on the facts and supporting evidence. At the end of the report, the investigator should indicate whether the matter is substantiated, unsubstantiated, or inconclusive.
Example: There is clear evidence to prove that the subject falsified his timesheet, a violation of the Company Code of Conduct Section 3. Therefore, the complaint is substantiated.
4 Benefits of Using iAuditor for Investigation Reports
Evidence documentation and creating investigation reports using pen and paper can be time-consuming and burdensome. Investigators can use iAuditor, the world’s leading inspection software, and take advantage of these benefits:
- Easily document physical evidence and investigative interviews
Investigators can capture and annotate photos during the investigation. Save time by organizing recorded witness statements and collected evidence within the iAuditor mobile app! - Automatically generate reports
The moment you complete an investigation, the investigation report is readily available in various formats such as PDF, DOC, etc. Submit the report to decision-makers for immediate action based on findings! - Unlimited storage and data security
All your data are automatically saved online. Store unlimited investigation reports in the cloud and create or customize your own investigation report templates! - Access anytime, anywhere
Consolidate your case notes on your mobile device to ensure that no detail is overlooked during the investigation. Investigators can edit and update investigation reports in real-time!
Top 5 Investigation Report Templates
Investigation Report Template
An investigation report template aims to help investigators ensure a timely, complete, and accurate investigation of an allegation or complaint. Streamline evidence collection and investigation reporting with the use of this template and easily perform the following:
- Provide general information on the subject of investigation
- Specify the type of case and record the complaint summary
- Document physical evidence and investigative interviews
- Identify the disposition of the investigation and reach a conclusion
- Complete the investigation report with digital signatures
Click “Preview Web Report” to see what an investigative report example looks like on the web app, or click “Preview Report” for iAuditor’s investigation report sample PDF.
Incident Investigation Report Template
An incident investigation report template is used to document an incident as soon as it occurs, no matter how big or small. Capture relevant environmental, equipment, system, and people factors that may have contributed to the incident. You can also use this template to identify steps to be taken based on contributing factors and underlying causes.
Accident Investigation Report Template
An accident investigation report template is used to determine the root cause of an accident so that future occurrences can be prevented. This template can be used by workplace supervisors to gather general information on the injured employee, record witness statements, identify the details of the accident, and describe its consequences. An accident investigation report also includes recommendations to avoid accident reoccurrence.
Site Investigation Report Template
A site investigation report template is used by qualified investigators to determine characteristics of the soil in a specified property. It can help support a risk assessment, provide data for the design of remedial works, and benchmark the contamination status of a site. Use this template to specify the site information, characterize soil through testing, and complete the report by providing your overall findings and digital signature.
Fire Investigation Report Template
A fire investigation report is a comprehensive summary of a fire incident. Use this fire investigation report template to collaborate with the investigative team in identifying the root cause of a fire. Determine whether the fire was accidental or criminal and describe factors and issues that may have contributed to the incident. Document interviews from relevant witnesses, take photos of the area,and complete the report by providing recommendations to improve safety.
