tutkinta

Tutkinta is a Finnish noun meaning investigation, inquiry, or examination. It refers to a process of systematically gathering information, verifying facts, and testing hypotheses about a matter in order to determine what happened, assess responsibility, or decide subsequent actions. The term is used in both formal and informal contexts, from everyday problem solving to official procedures.

Etymology and usage: Tutkinta is derived from the verb tutkia, meaning to inspect or examine, with the nominalizing suffix -inta. In everyday language it can describe any careful inquiry into a question or problem. In professional contexts, the term often carries a formal connotation.

Legal and procedural context: In Finnish law, esitutkinta is the preliminary pre-trial investigation conducted by police or prosecutors to collect evidence before charges are considered. Activities may include interviewing witnesses, inspecting scenes, and gathering documents. The results are documented in a tutkintapöytäkirja. The esitutkinta aims to determine whether there are grounds for charges or whether a case should be closed. Related concepts include tutkintavankeus, or pre-trial detention, used during the investigation period.

Other contexts: Outside the legal sphere, tutkinta can refer to investigations within administration, journalism, or industry, such as audits or inspections of processes, data integrity, or compliance. In science, however, the term tutkimus is more common for formal research, while tutkinta tends to emphasize fact-finding, inspection, or verification in a particular matter.

See also: esitutkinta, tutkintapöytäkirja, tutkintavankeus, tutkija.