A 'non-investigator' refers to an individual or entity that is **not** involved in the formal process of conducting an investigation. This encompasses a broad range of people and organizations, from witnesses and victims to general observers and those with no direct connection to the investigative activities. A non-investigator's role contrasts with the active pursuit of facts, evidence, or truth inherent in investigative work. They may possess knowledge relevant to an investigation, but their role is to relay information or be subjected to the investigation rather than to actively gather it. Non-investigators lack the powers, responsibilities, and formal training of investigators.
Non-investigator meaning with examples
- The eyewitness, a non-investigator, recounted seeing a car matching the description fleeing the scene, providing a crucial lead. The police, investigators, then began to follow up on the details and gather more evidence. Unlike the investigator, the witness only offered facts they observed but did not engage in the pursuit.
- Employees of the company were considered non-investigators when the FBI launched a probe into financial irregularities. They were subject to interviews and requests for information. Their role was to cooperate with the investigation, but the FBI handled all the information gathering. They relied on information but did not actively pursue it.
- During the accident inquiry, the affected families and passengers served as non-investigators, providing statements. The accident investigators then used those accounts. Their role involved giving their testimonies and waiting, unlike the investigator's search.
- The general public, considered non-investigators, read news reports about the criminal case without performing their own inquiry. They were consumers of information provided, not active collectors of new facts or evidence. Unlike the investigator, they merely gained knowledge from information released.
- A victim, even in a crime, is often a non-investigator unless they're working in law enforcement. They report the incident, cooperate, and sometimes receive support, but do not conduct any fact-finding on their own. Their part ends with reporting a crime, instead of tracking it down.