How to Start an Investigation Phase

This guide shows you how to create and manage investigation phases using the Brief-Deploy-Debrief methodology in IronCase.

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Understanding the Brief-Deploy-Debrief Cycle

Investigation phases follow a structured cycle designed to maintain organization and accountability during active investigations.

The Three Stages

This cycle repeats throughout an investigation, with each phase building on previous findings.

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Phase Types

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Creating a New Phase

Step 1: Access Phases

1. Open your case
2. Go to the Phases tab
3. Click New Phase

Step 2: Configure the Phase

1. Select phase type — Choose from the available types
2. Set start date/time — When the phase begins
3. Enter objective — Clear statement of what this phase aims to accomplish
4. Add briefing notes — Background information for team members

Step 3: Create the Briefing

The briefing is the foundation of the phase:

1. Intelligence summary — What do we know?
2. Objectives — What are we trying to accomplish?
3. Resources — What personnel and equipment are needed?
4. Contingencies — What if plans change?
5. Communication plan — How will the team stay connected?

Step 4: Add Assignments

Create specific tasks for team members:

1. Click Add Assignment
2. Select the officer
3. Choose assignment type:

4. Enter location and specific instructions
5. Click Assign

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Running the Deployment

During Active Fieldwork

Officers can update their assignments in real-time:

1. Mark assignment as In Progress
2. Log observations and findings
3. Upload photos, documents, recordings
4. Note any issues or changes

Monitoring Progress

Supervisors track deployment status:

1. View all active assignments
2. See real-time status updates
3. Communicate with field personnel
4. Adjust assignments as needed

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Conducting the Debrief

Starting the Debrief

When fieldwork concludes:

1. Click Start Debrief
2. Phase status changes to debriefing
3. All team members can contribute

Recording Findings

Each officer reports:

1. What was accomplished — Tasks completed
2. What was learned — New information discovered
3. Evidence collected — Items recovered
4. Issues encountered — Problems or obstacles
5. Recommendations — Suggested next steps

Completing the Phase

1. Review all officer reports
2. Add supervisor summary
3. Update case status based on findings
4. Note items requiring follow-up
5. Click Complete Phase

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Phase Statuses

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Linking Phases

Phases connect to form the investigation timeline:

• Previous phase — What led to this phase
• Next phase — What follows from this phase
• Related phases — Connected but not sequential

This creates a clear record of how the investigation progressed.

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Generated Documents

Each completed phase generates:

• Briefing document — Record of pre-deployment planning
• Assignment log — Who did what
• Debrief summary — Findings and outcomes
• Surveillance notes — If surveillance was conducted

These documents are attached to the case automatically.

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Best Practices

• Brief thoroughly — Time spent planning saves time in the field
• Assign clearly — Each person should know exactly what they're doing
• Update in real-time — Log findings as they occur
• Debrief promptly — Conduct debrief while details are fresh
• Document everything — If it's not documented, it didn't happen
• Learn and adapt — Use debriefs to improve future phases

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Related

• Investigation Phases Reference
• Brief-Deploy-Debrief Methodology
• Log Surveillance Observations