AI in Investigations: Smarter, faster — but handle with care

It’s now faster to identify and ingest relevant documents. Review processes are more efficient, requiring fewer resources and less time. Teams can uncover insights earlier and with greater precision.

But while the benefits are clear, AI also introduces new risks and considerations.

Scope Creep

AI makes it easier to analyse large volumes of data. That can tempt investigators to expand the scope mid-way through a process.

To avoid this, it’s more important than ever to define the investigation’s objectives clearly from the outset — and stick to them.

Fishing Expeditions

AI can surface unexpected connections between people and events. But reviewing data “just in case” something relevant appears is rarely justified.

Investigators should resist the urge to widen the pool of individuals or documents without a clear, objective basis — not just for data protection reasons, but to maintain fairness and focus.

Speed vs. Reflection

AI accelerates document review and analysis. This can create pressure to conclude investigations more quickly than before.

But speed should not come at the expense of thoughtful reflection. Findings still need to be considered carefully, especially where reputational or regulatory consequences are involved.

Bias and Oversight

AI tools are only as reliable as the data they’re trained on and the prompts they’re given. They can misinterpret nuance, overlook context, or reflect hidden biases.

Human oversight remains essential. Investigators must build in quality control, supervision, and audit trails to ensure outputs are accurate and defensible.

Confidentiality and Control

Legal teams should use platforms designed specifically for legal work — with appropriate safeguards around confidentiality, privilege, and data handling.

The Bottom Line

AI is a powerful ally in investigations. Used well, it can make processes faster, sharper, and more cost-effective.

But it’s not a substitute for legal judgment. It needs clear boundaries, careful oversight, and a thoughtful approach.

Get in Touch

If your organisation is planning or conducting an investigation and would like to explore how AI can support the process, we’d be happy to help.

Please contact Ollie Carlyon or visit our Inquiries, Inquests and Investigations page to learn more.