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Planning Investigations and Legal Background for Tough Interviews 175

Table 5.7 The eight stages of major investigations

Stage Description Principles

1 23 4

1 Deal with initial Maintain total confidentiality
suspicions Assume the suspicions are true
Do not rush to report externally
Consider if and when the police should be advised

TAKE YOUR TIME 2 Plan and prepare to strike OBTAIN BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Prepare a dossier on the suspects
Prepare a dossier on suspect companies
REVIEW AND COLLATE EVIDENCE
Consider the evidence potentially available
Catalogue minor breaches
Consider blocking measures
Consider covert action
PREPARE A DIARY OF EVENTS
PREPARE NOMINAL SUMMARIES AND LINK CHARTS
EXTRACT THE KEY POINTS
DEVELOP A FRAUD THEORY
DEVISE A RESOLUTION PLAN AND FIRST STEP

3 Setting objectives Normally these are to
Establish the facts
Press for criminal prosecution
Recover funds
Prevent future losses
Create a deterrent to others

4 Obtain authority Obtain authority from senior management
Align management’s expectations

5 Plan individual interviews Determine the objectives
Plan the phases of the interview
Consider how the key points will be presented
Decide on the timing and venue
Arrange the interview room
Decide how the interview will be recorded
Consider using interpreters
Plan for interviews in the presence of the suspect’s lawyer
CHECK THE LEGALITY

6 Rehearse Rehearse important interviews

7 The first step Make the first step an ambush
Conduct important interviews simultaneously

8 Follow up Complete this stage as quickly as possible