investigated

Investigated is the past tense and past participle of investigate, a verb meaning to carry out a systematic inquiry or examination to uncover facts, determine causes, or establish evidence. When something has been investigated, it has undergone such an inquiry or assessment.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin investigare 'to search into, track', formed from in- 'into' + vestīg- 'to track, footprint' (from vestigium 'trace'). The noun form is investigation; the adjective form is investigative.

Usage: The term applies across fields. In law enforcement and government, investigations gather facts to determine responsibility or validity of claims and may lead to charges, sanctions, or policy changes. In journalism, investigative reporting aims to reveal information of public interest. In science and academia, investigators design experiments and analyze data to test hypotheses. In business or compliance contexts, internal investigations address suspected misconduct or regulatory breaches.

Grammar notes: investigate is transitive; typical objects include a case, a matter, allegations, or a complaint. The passive voice is common: "The case was investigated by the police." The phrase investigate into is used in some varieties of English but is often considered awkward in American usage; simply "investigate the matter" or "investigate the allegations" is widely preferred.