Investigation Report Drafter
GuideStart a reportPricing
Practical Guide

How to conduct an internal investigation

A fair, defensible workplace investigation follows a clear process. Work through each step below — your answers save automatically and prefill the corresponding section of the drafter.

Open the drafter

Free to start · No credit card required

01

Intake and triage

Capture the complaint, identify the allegation type, and decide if a formal investigation is warranted.

  • Record who reported, when, and how.
  • Classify the allegation (harassment, discrimination, retaliation, theft, etc.).
  • Assess urgency, conflicts of interest, and interim measures.
  • Confirm the matter is not better handled by another function (e.g., security, compliance hotline).
Capture what you have so far — prefills drafter § 02
Continue in the drafter · § 02 Parties & jurisdiction
02

Plan the investigation

Define scope, roles, timeline, and the standard of proof before you start interviewing.

  • Set the objective: what question must the investigation answer?
  • Choose an impartial investigator.
  • Identify relevant policies, laws, and jurisdictional requirements.
  • Map a timeline and communication plan, including confidentiality limits.
Capture what you have so far — prefills drafter § 01
Continue in the drafter · § 01 Toolkit stamp
03

Collect evidence

Gather and preserve documents, emails, logs, and physical evidence with a clear chain of custody.

  • Request records early, before they can be altered or deleted.
  • Keep an evidence log with date, source, and description.
  • Avoid one-sided collection — gather items that help and hurt each theory.
  • Document any limitations on access.
Capture what you have so far — prefills drafter § 04
Continue in the drafter · § 04 Narrative & evidence
04

Conduct interviews

Interview the complainant, respondent, and witnesses using neutral, open-ended questions.

  • Start with broad questions, then narrow to specifics.
  • Give each party a chance to respond to allegations.
  • Take detailed, contemporaneous notes; avoid conclusions during the interview.
  • Maintain confidentiality and avoid retaliation.
Capture what you have so far — prefills drafter § 04
Continue in the drafter · § 04 Narrative & evidence
05

Analyze and find facts

Weigh credibility, assess corroboration, and decide what the evidence proves.

  • Use a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard unless your policy says otherwise.
  • Evaluate consistency, motive, memory, and corroboration.
  • Distinguish proven facts from suspicion or hearsay.
  • Document why each conclusion was or was not reached.
Capture what you have so far — prefills drafter § 04
Continue in the drafter · § 04 Narrative & evidence
06

Draft the report

Produce a clear, neutral report that can withstand review by counsel, regulators, or a court.

  • Summarize the allegations, scope, and methodology.
  • Present the evidence and analysis for each claim.
  • State findings and conclusions without legal conclusions you are not qualified to make.
  • Recommend remedial action and note any policy gaps.
Capture what you have so far — prefills drafter § 05
Continue in the drafter · § 05 Delivery & consent
Ready to draft?

Turn your investigation notes into an AI-drafted report

Your guide answers are already saved. Open the drafter to review the prefilled sections, fill in anything missing, and generate a neutral, defensible report.

Open the drafterView pricing

Informational only — not legal advice. Review with qualified counsel before use.