Mistakes made in and during an investigation need to be:

• A. Forgotten
• B. Well documented in the report
• C. Briefly discussed in the report
• D. Verbally discussed and no documentation

Answer: (B)

In investigations, what goes wrong must be captured in the record. Documenting mistakes ensures the report reflects what actually happened, including where procedures didn’t go as intended, which decisions were influenced by those mistakes, and what corrective actions are needed. This creates a transparent and auditable trail that others can review, helps prevent recurrence, and supports accountability and legal defensibility.

If mistakes were forgotten, only partial information would be available, making the investigation harder to assess or defend. Brief or purely verbal discussions leave out essential details, context, and dates, creating gaps and ambiguity. Documenting them thoroughly in the report keeps the record complete and credible, guiding improvements and maintaining the integrity of the investigation.