Overinvestigation

Overinvestigation refers to the excessive or redundant inquiry into a matter beyond what is proportionate to the evidence at hand or the potential impact. It involves pursuing every possible lead, collecting broad data, and expanding the scope of inquiry beyond what is necessary to determine facts or assign responsibility. While thorough investigation can prevent missed information, overinvestigation can cause inefficiency and harm to individuals' privacy and civil liberties.

Causes include risk aversion, fear of liability, organizational culture that equates more activity with thoroughness, unclear guidance on proportionality, and incentives to demonstrate due diligence. Indicators include duplication of work across teams, continual expansion of scope, excessive data collection and interviews, and repeated revisiting of settled issues.

Impacts encompass resource strain, delays, increased costs, and opportunity costs; privacy concerns; reputational damage; loss of public or stakeholder trust; and chilling effects on cooperation. The practice can also obstruct resolution when it diverts attention from the most probative leads.

Mitigation relies on proportionality and risk-based approaches: establishing clear thresholds for action, defined scope and time limits, evaluating whether new leads alter the probable risk, and independent oversight or periodic reviews. Effective governance emphasizes targeted inquiry, data minimization, and process controls to avoid unnecessary intrusion while preserving accountability.