• Clearly identify what violations (international human rights law and/or international humanitarian law) will be investigated based on the commission’s/mission’s interpretation of the mandate and agreed terms of reference; • Identify what information is already known about the events under investigation and what information still has to be gathered; • Identify whose conduct is under investigation, entities (State or non-State) or individuals or both; • Identify potential sources of information (e.g., witnesses and victims); • Define the methodology for gathering the information (e.g., face-to-face interviews, documents); • Define who will gather the information; • Set out measures that will be taken to protect victims, potential witnesses and sources and any other relevant security considerations; • Outline field missions that will be undertaken (where, when, who?) and the resources and equipment required. Investigation plans need, from the outset, to fully integrate gender aspects, from the analysis of violations to be investigated and the identification of relevant information sources, to the definition of the methodology, including anticipation of gender-specific protection concerns and measures to address them. Members of commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions require access to victims, witnesses and sources, some of whom may be in detention centres. UN Photo / Martine Perret GUIDANCE AND PRACTICE 39