Exam 8: The Evidence Collection Process

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The general sources of evidence in fraud investigations include physical evidence, document evidence, observations, and interviews.
Physical and Document Evidence: Physical evidence includes document evidence, because all documents have some physical existence even if only inside a computer. However, for fraud investigation purposes it is convenient to place document evidence in its own category, since document evidence is a mainstay of fraud investigations.
Physical evidence, refers to a relatively broad category of evidence that includes things like fingerprints and trace evidence. Document evidence includes not only documents collected as part of the investigation but also documents created in the form of charts, graphs, or other exhibits admitted into evidence as part of expert testimony.
Observations: Observation evidence is obtained my monitoring suspects. Such evidence may ultimately take the form of eye-witness testimony, or various types of electronic or other recordings. Observation techniques can produce extremely powerful forms of evidence. A video tape of a clerk stuffing wads of money in her pockets can be worth all kinds of sophisticated expert analysis of accounting records.
Interviews: The ultimate item of evidence is a court-admissible recorded interview and signed confession. Interviews can result one of the most powerful kinds of evidence: effective witness testimony from individuals with personal knowledge relevant to the alleged fraud. Interviews can also provide a powerful investigatory tool, as they can provide information that helps narrow down the evidence collection process.