A corruption probe is an investigation of bribery or other forms of corrupt behaviour. Corruption investigations can be handled internally by an organisation (through disciplinary procedures) or externally through regulatory or criminal procedure. Regardless of whether an investigation is conducted internally or externally, it is essential that it is thorough and fair. Grand corruption is rarely proved by a single piece of evidence; it is often necessary to put together a number of pieces like a jigsaw.
When a report of corrupt activity is received, it may be referred to police or other specialized anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution. It is important that such organisations have clear procedures for handling incoming reports. These procedures should include a set of criteria on when a reported incident can be investigated by the organisation and when it needs to be referred for investigation by outside bodies. This will avoid the risk of arbitrary decision making with regard to which cases are investigated by internal or external agencies.
Depending on the scope of the investigation, it may be important to seek information from third parties and suspect contractors through negotiated agreements, the exercise of contract audit rights or subpoenas and search warrants. Investigators should also consider tracing the illicit payments being made to the subject of the investigation using forensic techniques such as data mining, examining bank records or, where available, by executing wire transfer and cashier’s checks. If the subject of the investigation has a large amount of unexplained wealth, they should be approached for interviews.
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