5.10 The investigation process

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Two athletics officials stand either side of a giant clipboard. The paper on the clipboard is headed investigation plan, with lines of text and three green ticks below the heading.

Creating an investigation plan

At the outset it is useful to set out a plan for the investigation. This establishes who will be contacted and interviewed, and whether there is likely to be important evidence (for example, mobile phone messages) to collect.

Next, you consider this question: What about the order in which people are interviewed?

Activity: Thinking about the interview order

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The recommended order for interviews is as follows:

  1. The person who raised the concern (this may or not be the alleged victim) is seen first.
  2. Followed by the alleged victim (if they are not the same person).
  3. Any witnesses to the incident or who may have other evidence to offer.
  4. The person of concern (alleged perpetrator).

This allows the investigator to form a fuller picture of the context of the concern before speaking to the alleged perpetrator.

Next, you explore receiving a disclosure.

5.9 Case investigation

5.11 Receiving a disclosure and conducting a victim interview