Undertaking Effective Investigations A Guide for National Human Rights Institutions 11. WHEN THERE IS LIMITED TIME TO PLAN There may be occasions when events move so quickly that the NHRI does not have the luxury of time to plan the investigation properly. Do what can be done in the time that is available. Focus on the basics: issue identification, the overall strategy and evidence identification and preservation. When time is available, prepare something more substantial. 12. GET EVERYBODY INVOLVED Everyone involved in the investigation, even those on the fringes, should have input into the investigation plan, such NHRI management, communications staff, policy and research staff and others. The more input provided by colleagues and managers, the better. They frequently come up with information, ideas and approaches that the investigating team may have overlooked. 13. PLANNING MULTIPLE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS How to plan multiple complaint investigations is considered in more detail in Part VI of this Manual. It also includes an example of how an investigation into mass detentions at a recent G20 Summit was planned. KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 5 • An investigation plan should be completed for every investigation. • The plan will help investigators focus on the issue(s) to be investigated, avoid obstacles and “issue creep”, identify the evidence to be collected, estimate the resources required and set realistic targets for completing the investigation. • Each investigation is unique and each investigation plan will be subject to many different variables. • The plan should provide a roadmap for the investigation; it does not have to be a detailed document. • Prepare an investigation plan template tailored to the mandate of the NHRI. 40