PRINCIPLE 4: INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATORS Principle: The principle of investigations being undertaken by independent and impartial bodies is fundamental to the credibility and legitimacy of the investigation process and outcome. Practice: Independence and impartiality require that investigators and the investigation process: ✓ ✓ ✓ Be fair and objective; Avoid conflicts of interest; and Operate with integrity and incorruptibility. Chapter topics: This chapter covers the following topics: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Fairness; Objectivity; Conflicts of interest; Integrity and incorruptibility; and Functional and non-retaliatory immunity. 123