The work starts before anyone goes into the field
Most people think an investigation begins when an investigator starts asking questions or conducting surveillance. In reality, the most important work happens earlier.
Every case starts with intake, and intake is where investigations either gain clarity or inherit confusion. The questions asked at this stage shape everything that follows, from scope and timelines to cost and outcomes.
If the objective isn’t clear at the start, the investigation will drift.
Defining the real objective
Clients often come in with a concern rather than a defined question. That’s normal.
Part of intake is helping clarify what decision the investigation is meant to support. Is this about litigation strategy, an insurance determination, a corporate action, or internal risk mitigation?
That distinction matters. The same facts can be gathered in different ways depending on how they’ll be used.
“An investigation without a defined purpose is just activity.”
Scoping with restraint
Good scoping isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things first.\
During scoping, we assess what’s known, what’s assumed, and what actually needs to be proven. We also consider constraints, budget, timing, legal exposure, and potential escalation paths.
Restraint at this stage prevents unnecessary work and protects the client from paying for information that won’t move the needle.
Fieldwork built around documentation, not discovery alone
Discovery matters, but discovery without documentation is fragile.
Field investigators operate with reporting requirements in mind from the start. Observations are recorded contemporaneously. Sources are noted carefully. Timelines are built as facts emerge, not reconstructed later.
This approach ensures that findings can be explained, defended, and relied upon if they’re challenged.
Continuous review, not end-of-case surprises
Investigations are reviewed as they progress, not only at the end.
Supervisory review allows issues to be corrected early, priorities to be adjusted, and strategy to evolve as new information comes in. It also reduces the risk of delivering findings that technically answer a question but miss the larger context.
Turning information into something usable
Raw information has limited value on its own. The real work happens when information is analyzed, organized, and presented in a way that supports decision-making.
Reports are structured to highlight what matters, explain how conclusions were reached, and clearly separate verified facts from analysis.
“Good reports don’t just show what happened. They show why it matters.”
Deliverables designed for real-world use
A final report should not require interpretation by someone who wasn’t involved in the investigation.
Whether the audience is an attorney, claims professional, executive, or internal decision-maker, the reporting is designed to stand on its own. Clear structure, clear sourcing, and clear conclusions matter more than volume.
Final thoughts
Process isn’t about bureaucracy. It’s about discipline.
From intake to final report, a structured approach protects the investigation, the findings, and the client’s ability to act with confidence.
Vanessa is the organizational backbone of Origin’s investigations, ensuring cases move smoothly from intake to close. Her ability to balance precision with empathy makes her a steady presence for both clients and internal teams. Outside the office, Vanessa enjoys spending time with family and friends,.
Vanessa Sarco
Director, Case Management Division
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