What is collateral information and how should it be used in investigations?

• A. Information from third parties that corroborates or clarifies; used to verify statements and establish timeline.
• B. Information from the victim only
• C. Information from social media that has not been verified
• D. Information that should be ignored to avoid bias

Answer: (A)

Collateral information is information from third parties that can corroborate or clarify what a survivor or witness has said. It’s used to verify statements and establish a timeline, helping investigators build a coherent, evidence-based account of what happened. Gather from credible sources such as coworkers, family members, first responders, security footage, call or text records, and medical or police reports to provide independent context that confirms dates, locations, and the sequence of events. It should be collected ethically and with regard for privacy, and then weighed alongside the survivor’s account to enhance accuracy. This approach respects the survivor while broadening the factual picture; it’s not about relying on unverified social media or ignoring information, but about using reliable collateral to corroborate and clarify the story.