Dealing with an Investigation: Communication

The overall success of an investigation depends on the flow of communications between those overseeing an investigation, those conducting it and the company’s relevant stakeholders.

As such, it is necessary to identify responsibilities and define the structure of communications at the outset of the investigation.

Before determining what communication chains should be established, there are certain threshold issues that will need to be decided.  Who will be directing and overseeing the investigation?  Who will be conducting it?  Once these determinations are made, communication links must be established between:  (1) the members of the investigative team and the body overseeing the investigation; and (2) those overseeing the investigation and other relevant stakeholders at the company, such as auditors or board members (or a special committee thereof).  Finally, there may be a need to determine whether to self‑report and cooperate with relevant authorities, which will require establishing and maintaining an additional line of communication.

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