The 5 elements of a report to be investigative:
- Idea: It's quite obvious that you - whether you are a policeman or a journalist - can not investigate a case which had investigated before. Unless, you discover that re-opening the case will lead to new and totally different results and facts.
- Objectivity: Let's do not use the word of "neutrality", but if you will act in blindsiding way while you are investigating your story, be sure that people will notice that, regardless how much you are smart in covering this, and thus you might face their disrespect. So, hear everyone related to the case, and search for every fact could be used as an evidence in the story.
- Field work: Well, can you find an evidence about a new case while you are just letting Google do that instead of you. If you want to be an inquirer you have to practice inquiry. But, beware of DANGER. Do it legally and safely.
- Evidences: The difference between Investigations and Documentaries is this: These are my proofs about what I am telling. You have to show the sequence of clues and evidences that lead to the truth, otherwise, your audience might not be convinced about what you have described by "Real Story", and thus, they will not be satisfied.
- Result and Conclusion: If you do not dare to say: this is the criminal, then why you made the investigation from the beginning? Investigations without clear results are just rubbish, and you have to know that results - once you reach them - are possessions of people not yours.