TheVault:Investigation Reports

Investigation Reports

DOCUMENT TYPE Research Reference

STATUS Active

VERSION 1.0

Investigation reports are written records documenting the methods, observations, findings and conclusions of an investigation into an event, location, claim or phenomenon.

Within The Vault, investigation reports are an important source of information because they provide a record of:

How an investigation was conducted.
What evidence was collected.
What observations were made.
What conclusions were proposed.
What limitations affected the investigation.

An investigation report documents that an investigation took place and records its findings. It does not automatically prove the interpretation or conclusions reached by investigators.

Role of investigation reports

Investigation reports may document:

Paranormal investigations.
UFO investigations.
Scientific studies.
Historical research.
Cryptid searches.
Field investigations.
Experimental research.

Examples include:

A paranormal team documenting activity at a reported haunted location.
A scientific organisation analysing unusual observations.
A UFO research group examining witness reports.
A historical researcher investigating archival evidence.

Types of investigation reports

Paranormal investigation reports

Paranormal investigation reports document research into alleged unusual activity.

They may include:

Location history.
Witness interviews.
Investigation dates.
Equipment used.
Environmental readings.
Audio or video recordings.
Investigator observations.
Conclusions.

Examples of collected evidence may include:

Alleged EVP recordings.
Temperature changes.
Photographs.
Environmental measurements.

Such evidence should be assessed separately from investigator interpretation.

Scientific investigation reports

Scientific reports document structured research using recognised methods.

They generally include:

Research question.
Methodology.
Results.
Analysis.
Limitations.
Conclusions.

Scientific reports are strongest when methods are transparent and results can be independently reviewed.

Field investigation reports

Field reports document observations made outside controlled environments.

Examples include:

UFO sighting investigations.
Cryptid searches.
Archaeological investigations.
Historical site research.

Field reports may provide valuable documentation but often face limitations involving:

Lack of repeatability.
Environmental variables.
Limited evidence availability.

Evaluating investigation reports

Investigation reports should be assessed using several factors.

Investigator background

Consider:

Who conducted the investigation?
What experience do they have?
Are they independent?
Are there potential conflicts of interest?
Are their methods appropriate?

The reputation of an investigator does not automatically determine the reliability of their findings.

Methodology

A strong report should explain:

What was investigated?
How was it investigated?
What equipment or methods were used?
What controls were applied?
How were conclusions reached?

Reports that lack methodology are more difficult to evaluate.

Evidence collection

Consider:

Was evidence collected systematically?
Were observations recorded accurately?
Were original files preserved?
Were controls used?
Can others examine the evidence?

Transparency

Reliable investigation reports should disclose:

Methods.
Data.
Limitations.
Uncertainties.
Alternative explanations considered.

A report that only presents supporting information may provide an incomplete picture.

Investigation reports and evidence types

Investigation reports may contain multiple forms of evidence.

These may include:

Each evidence type should be assessed independently.

Conclusions and interpretations

Investigation reports often include conclusions.

The Vault distinguishes between:

Observation

What was recorded or measured.

Example:

"Investigators recorded an unexplained sound during the investigation."

Interpretation

The explanation proposed.

Example:

"Investigators suggested the sound may represent paranormal communication."

The interpretation requires separate evaluation from the observation.

Common limitations of investigation reports

Investigation reports may be limited by:

Small sample sizes.
Lack of controls.
Investigator expectations.
Confirmation bias.
Equipment limitations.
Environmental variables.
Inability to repeat findings.
Lack of independent review.

These limitations do not automatically invalidate a report, but they affect how conclusions should be assessed.

Independent investigations

Multiple independent investigations can provide stronger evidence when:

Methods are comparable.
Results are consistent.
Investigators are separate.
Findings can be independently reviewed.

Repeated claims alone do not necessarily confirm an explanation if all investigations share similar assumptions or limitations.

Investigation reports and evidence ratings

Within The Vault, investigation reports are assessed based on:

Methodology.
Documentation quality.
Investigator independence.
Evidence collected.
Transparency.
Reproducibility.
Alternative explanations.

A well-documented investigation may significantly contribute to understanding a case, even where conclusions remain uncertain.

See:

Writing guidelines

When describing investigation reports, articles should distinguish between:

The investigation

What was done and what was recorded.

The conclusion

What investigators believe the evidence means.

Preferred:

"Investigators recorded several unexplained events during the investigation."

Avoid:

"Investigators proved paranormal activity occurred."