Legal Definitions - investigate

To investigate means to conduct a systematic and thorough inquiry into a matter, situation, or allegation, often with the purpose of discovering facts, gathering evidence, or determining the truth. This process typically involves careful examination, questioning, and analysis.

• Example 1: After a major data breach at a financial institution, a cybersecurity firm was hired to investigate how the breach occurred. They systematically analyzed network logs, interviewed IT staff, and examined compromised systems to identify vulnerabilities and determine the extent of the data theft.

  Explanation: This illustrates "investigate" as a systematic inquiry into a specific event (the data breach) to uncover facts and understand the cause and scope of the incident.

• Example 2: A state environmental protection agency decided to investigate a factory after receiving reports of unusual chemical odors emanating from its property. Agency officials visited the site, took soil and water samples, reviewed the factory's waste disposal records, and interviewed employees to determine if any environmental regulations were being violated.

  Explanation: Here, "investigate" refers to an official inquiry by a government body into potential wrongdoing (environmental violations) through a structured process of data collection and examination.

• Example 3: Following a serious workplace accident involving heavy machinery, the company's safety committee began to investigate the incident. They interviewed the injured employee and witnesses, reviewed maintenance logs for the machinery, and examined the accident site to understand the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors or safety protocol failures.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates "investigate" as a structured examination of an event (the accident) to ascertain facts, determine causes, and prevent future occurrences, often leading to official findings or recommendations.