CI003_English: Investigating Ethical Misconduct Incidents

Ethical violation incidents are fraught with risk, both for the victims of a potential or confirmed breach of ethical standards and practices; as well as potentially for witnesses, a wrongfully accused aggressor, and for the organization itself if it mishandles the response. Whether the investigation is internally led, externally supported, or externally controlled; having the basis for an appropriate, timely and professional approach to conducting interviews and gathering and processing evidence is critical. This is doubly important as often those who have little to no background within investigations management may initiate and start the process of gathering facts from which knowledge led decisions can be made. Where this process is poorly handled then the victim and others may suffer, the perpetrator may elude justice, litigation may result, and the reputation of the organization can be significantly harmed – potentially to a point which is none recoverable.