Building Your Title IX Team: Investigators

In our recent post on Title IX decision-maker training, we talked about how critical it is to have prepared, conflict-free decision-makers in place. But decision-makers must work with the record they’re given, or be forced to return matters for further investigation — which makes your investigators the foundation of every case.

What an Investigator Does (and Why It Matters)

Investigators are responsible for gathering the facts that move a case forward. They conduct interviews, review and analyze evidence, and prepare the investigative report that decision-makers depend on. One of the most impactful ways you can strengthen your Title IX process is by making sure your investigators are well-prepared. When they are, cases can move forward with confidence. When they aren’t, even straightforward matters can stall, creating delays, risk, and frustration for everyone involved.

While the regulations don’t prohibit a Title IX Coordinator from also serving in this role, it is best practice — whenever possible — to designate a separate investigator. Doing so ensures the work is carried out by someone who can focus fully on the investigative function, approaching it with professionalism and compassion. This not only strengthens the record but also reinforces confidence in the fairness of the outcome.

Skills Every Investigator Needs

The best investigators combine technical ability with interpersonal skill. Empathy and emotional intelligence are critical for building trust during sensitive interviews, while strong communication skills ensure questions, emails, and documentation are clear and consistent. Writing is especially important, since investigative reports must be thorough enough to support a defensible outcome. Analytical thinking is another core competency. Good investigators know how to identify what evidence is missing, what questions still need to be asked, and how to connect seemingly disparate pieces of information into a coherent record. 

Finally, investigators must be comfortable managing difficult conversations. Interviews about sexual misconduct are often challenging, and investigators should be sufficiently experienced and empathetic to guide those conversations without losing focus, professionalism, or sensitivity.

How Many Trained Investigators Do You Need?

Investigations can require dozens of hours of work over several months, depending on the number of witnesses and complexity of the allegations. The time and work required to conduct a thorough and compliant investigation is merely one of many reasons it is best to maintain a team of at least two trained investigators. This gives you flexibility if one does not have capacity at the time a new complaint is filed, or if one investigator has a conflict of interest. Furthermore, when bandwidth permits, pairing a newer investigator with a more experienced colleague provides an invaluable opportunity for the newer investigator to shadow and build confidence while still contributing. A team approach also supports the investigators in making difficult decisions such as whether or not to interview a particular witness or categorize certain evidence as relevant versus directly related.

When You Need Extra Help

Unfortunately, at a great many institutions, there simply are not adequate resources to support an investigative team of such depth. Or, even with such a team and careful planning, you still may run into gaps. If your campus does not have the staff capacity, or needs an additional impartial option, consider bringing in an outsourced Title IX investigator. Title IX Solutions investigators bring years of experience and neutrality, are trained in trauma-informed techniques, and can devote the time and focus needed when your in-house staff are stretched thin. We can also handle the full scope of the investigative process, from interviewing and evidence collection to drafting reports and testifying at hearings when needed.

Keeping Investigator Skills Sharp

Federal regulations require that investigators receive training, and many states mandate trauma-informed response training as well. But compliance is only the baseline. Ongoing development is key to keeping investigators confident and capable. Refresher training helps staff strengthen their interviewing, report-writing, and trauma-informed practice. Cross-training investigators in other roles, such as advisor or decision-maker, ensures they stay engaged and broadens your team’s overall capacity. You can also foster development internally by sharing perspectives and brainstorming lessons learned from each case, creating a culture of continuous improvement.

If you need structured options, the IX Institute’s investigator training programs include certificate courses for new investigators and refresher modules that address common complex issues for more experienced professionals.

Building Confidence in Your Title IX Team

Strong investigations set the tone for the entire Title IX process. When the fact-gathering, interviews, and reports are done well, hearings and determinations can move forward on steady ground. When they aren’t, the whole process can present risk for your institution.

If your team is at capacity, an outsourced Title IX investigator can provide the neutrality and bandwidth needed to keep cases moving. If you’re focused on growing internal expertise, the IX Institute offers investigator training programs — from certificate courses for new professionals to refresher modules for experienced staff.

However you structure your approach — through in-house development, outside support, or a combination of both — the key is to plan ahead. With the right preparation, you create not only a stronger process, but also greater trust in your Title IX program.

Ready to strengthen your investigator roster? Talk to a Title IX expert about your needs, or explore on-demand investigator training through the IX Institute today.

Please Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. We recommend seeking independent legal advice concerning the issues presented in evaluating a particular incident.