When should an interview take place during an internal investigation?

The most appropriate timing for an interview during an internal investigation is when issues are revealed during the audit. This approach allows the investigator to focus on specific concerns that have surfaced, making the interview more relevant and efficient. Addressing issues as they arise ensures that the investigation remains aligned with the findings produced by the audit, facilitating a targeted exploration of the circumstances surrounding potential violations or areas of concern.

Conducting interviews only after all documentation is reviewed may overlook the opportunity to clarify or gather additional insights that could have immediate relevance to the findings. Initiating interviews at the very beginning of the process without having identified specific issues may lead to unnecessary interviews or irrelevant questions. Furthermore, limiting interviews to situations where there is a clear violation is not ideal, as many issues may emerge that warrant discussion even without conclusive evidence of wrongdoing at the outset. Thus, timing interviews to coincide with discoveries made during the audit supports a thorough and effective investigation.