of the mandate in simple and unambiguous terms is key to the success and credibility of an inquiry. This is usually done through the adoption by the commission/mission of terms of reference (see sect. F, Terms of reference). The commission/mission will have to determine: • Geographic mandate (ratione loci) – Does it cover the whole country or parts of it; other countries? • Temporal mandate (ratione temporis) – What time period is covered by the mandate? How will the commission/mission deal with historic events? • Subject matter mandate (ratione materiae) – What issues are covered by the mandate? Will it prioritize certain violations and what criteria will be applied? • Actors (ratione personae) – Whose actions will it investigate? Who are the entities or persons of concern to the investigation? 2. GATHERING BACKGROUND INFORMATION The first task will be to gather relevant information about the context in which the incidents or events under investigation occurred: history, Government and political structures, political parties, judiciary, economic issues, constitution and laws, structure of security forces and police, ethnic groups, culture and religion, position of women in society and information on influential actors, including foreign Governments. It will also be important to gather preliminary information on relevant events that have occurred in the country, and to develop a chronology of these events. The background information will provide a better understanding of the country, and assist in the development of investigation plans and in refining the investigation methodology, taking into consideration cultural, social and religious issues and the security situation in the country. 3. REVIEW OF OPEN SOURCE MATERIALS AND INTERNAL REPORTS Open sources such as newspapers and other publications, news agencies, television stations, websites, NGO reports, government reports, social media and United Nations reports are invaluable for gathering background information. Open source material could also be mined for information on events relevant to the mandate of the commission/ mission, which will assist in identifying key incidents, help to define the priorities for investigations, provide leads for investigations and identify sources. Internal United Nations reports, especially an analysis of the prevailing human rights situation, could provide valuable insights into ongoing violations and the parties that may be involved, and suggest avenues that the commission/mission could pursue in its own investigations. GUIDANCE AND PRACTICE 37