3. Sequencing and timing The final assessment of information on alleged perpetrators is to be made after the investigation closes but – for time-bound investigations – before the end of the mandate. This narrow window can prove challenging in light of the myriad demands placed on staff as an investigation winds down – constraints that have led different investigative bodies to begin generating dossiers at different times. (a) Simultaneous Most investigative bodies use the same investigative process for identifying individuals as for identifying the underlying violations and crimes. When a violation or crime is identified, a dossier is opened on all those implicated. The advantage of this approach is the consistency between the findings of the report and the information in the dossiers. It obviates the need to review the same material on two occasions and to make two judgments. As additional information surfaces in the course of the investigation, or if the mandate is renewed (CoIs), the dossiers may be updated. To facilitate this, the database should be configured to allow new source information to be cross-linked to the suspected individuals. (b) Subsequent Other investigative bodies populate dossiers only after the report has been completed. The advantage is that this prioritizes the report and other products which have earlier delivery deadlines: dossiers have no fixed deadline so long as they are completed by the end of mandate (time-bound investigations) or the close of the office/mission (field presences). A consequence of this approach, however, is that insufficient time and attention may be devoted to analysing the evidence on suspected individuals. Contracts may be ending and staff departing, leading to a risk that the dossiers may be rushed. Waiting until the end may also give rise to inconsistencies if a subsequent and separate review of the information, perhaps by different people, leads to different conclusions with respect to key elements, or if new or different information has surfaced in the meantime. It is strongly recommended that dossiers be generated simultaneously with the identification of the crime or violation. DOSSIERS ON RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS 101