Undertaking Effective Investigations A Guide for National Human Rights Institutions 7. WHAT TECHNICAL SKILLS DO NHRI INVESTIGATORS NEED? Investigators should have the skills to: • plan an investigation • understand the culture and environment in which they operate • identify what issues require investigation • frame issues to ensure that the investigation can be completed within a reasonable period and within available resources • identify potential sources of evidence • use limited resources judiciously • conduct thorough, objective interviews of witnesses • identify, obtain, examine and preserve documentary, physical and digital evidence • assess evidence fairly • write clear and comprehensive reports, as concisely as possible. KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 2 • NHRI investigations teams should reflect the diversity of their communities. • Conducting investigations is a challenging task. • Investigators need to be appropriately trained. • Investigators need an appropriate level of experience. • Investigators need a range of personal and professional skills. 22