When?
Dates of the mission, including dates of travel between different places.
Who?
Identify the members and staff of the secretariat and other personnel (interpreters,
security, experts and logistics) who will go on mission. Who will perform what tasks?
Who will coordinate the different activities?
What?
Clearly define the purpose of the mission and what information will be gathered. What
resources (financial, local staff) and logistical arrangements (accommodation, office
space, vehicles, communications and safety equipment) will be required during the
field visit?
How?
What methodology will be used to gather the information (interviews, site visits,
collection of documents)? What equipment will be required to gather information
(video cameras, audio recorders, GPS, scanners, secure laptops, encrypted USB/
external hard drives)?
(c) Site visits
Investigation of the site of an incident, which takes place during field missions, is
always a valuable method of uncovering information regarding events of interest. It
is also a method of verifying what a source has told an investigator. It is important
for investigators to obtain as much detail as possible from the person before visiting
the site so that they know what to look for. The visit provides investigators with an
opportunity to assess whether the descriptions provided by the source match what
they observe. If there is a difference, it does not necessarily mean that the person
lied, but that the investigators still have to find some other information. If there are
inconsistencies between what the investigators observe at the site and the source
information, they should go back to her/him and seek clarification. There may be
GUIDANCE AND PRACTICE
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