A guide to the principles and practice of complaint and incident investigation by Garry Maher.
The book is available for purchase at Garry Maher's website.
Edited extract: Assessment Report of Investigating MADE SIMPLE by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) 2004.
In a discipline that requires considerable legal and technical knowledge, and practical interpersonal and communication skills, Investigating MADE SIMPLE clearly identifies and focuses on the various competencies involved in ensuring an effective investigation and in avoiding legal and ethical pitfalls. The book is aimed at people undertaking investigations as part of their work role or those undertaking formal training programs as a means of enhancing their overall competence in the discipline.
While the content is presented in a generic style, it is both accurate and consistent with industry best practice. The examples are based on actual workplace problems and scenarios, and reflect suggestions and feedback from administrators and practitioners, and students in the industry, as well as the extensive personal practical and academic experience of the author. The accuracy and quality of the content has been validated by a number of industry experts who have vouched for its relevance and currency, as well as learners who have positively evaluated the book.
Investigating MADE SIMPLE effectively reflects key principles of good practice in adult education. It is clearly and logically presented in a reader-friendly style and terminology to facilitate understanding of abstract concepts to work-related tasks. Practical examples, illustrations and a comprehensive glossary of terminology serve to clarify, explain and reinforce abstract concepts. In an area of work that is fraught with complexity and uncertainties, it encourages learners to learn “how” to think rather than “what” to think by examining underlying issues, values, as well as legal, ethical and practical considerations.
The book consists of three discrete parts within which each of the 10 chapters addresses the underpinning knowledge and insights relative to specific investigation competencies. The topics have been logically sequenced around the different aspects of investigations ranging from legal considerations to ethical issues, interviewing and report writing skills.
The content is clearly and attractively presented in a conversational rather than academic style, adopting a ‘Plain-English’ approach rather than the use of, where possible, Latin-based and technical phraseology characteristic of legal and justice-related issues. It uses a mixture of written text, cartoons, graphics, quotable quotes and checklists of necessary attributes and competencies, as well as summaries.
At the conclusion of each of the three parts of the book, there is a summary and list of the underpinning knowledge and necessary skills canvassed in that part. This reinforces significant issues, provides a form of self-assessment for the reader and can also be used as a focus of formal exercises or group discussion.
The content of Investigating MADE SIMPLE is readily adaptable to modification and integration with existing courses of study or for practical application in specific contexts. It is suitable as a reference guide for training policy formulation or as the basis of organisational standard operations procedures for investigation-related tasks.
Investigating MADE SIMPLE would be a valuable resource for investigators, and investigator trainers and learners, as there seems to be few non-legal/non-technical reader-friendly learning resources to meet the increasing requirements around the investigative functions of ensuring law enforcement, compliance, safety, security and regulation.
Assessment Report (ANTA) 2004.