Independence and Impartiality

Independence means investigators must not have conflicts of interest and should operate free from external influence. If a potential conflict arises, disclosure and recusal are required to protect the investigation's integrity.

Impartiality requires evaluating all evidence without favoritism. Investigators should apply consistent criteria, document rationale for decisions, and avoid leading questions or assumptions about the outcome.

Documentation of independence should record disclosures, involvement, and why selections were made to ensure accountability.