Which practice supports demonstrating reasonableness in an investigation?

• A. Document methods and decisions, and rely on unverified hearsay.
• B. Rely solely on the investigator's memory.
• C. Document methods and decisions, and cite credible evidence.
• D. Avoid noting sources of evidence to protect confidentiality.

Answer: (C)

Demonstrating reasonableness in an investigation comes from creating a clear, auditable trail of how the investigation was conducted. When you document the methods used and the decisions you reached, and you back those decisions with credible evidence, you show exactly why conclusions were drawn and on what facts they rested. This transparency lets others review the process, assess its fairness, and verify that conclusions aren’t based on memory, guesswork, or unverified statements. Citing credible evidence also helps demonstrate objectivity, supports accountability, and makes the investigation defensible if challenged.

Relying on unverified hearsay is not reliable, and leaning on the investigator’s memory alone is prone to errors or omissions. Avoiding the notation of sources undermines the trustworthiness of the findings; even when confidentiality matters, you should document sources in a way that protects privacy while preserving credibility.