Investigative Reporting

Investigative reporting is the cornerstone of Auralis Associates. We conduct original, independent investigations into matters of public interest, corporate governance, institutional accountability, and other subjects that require thorough fact-finding and careful analysis. Every investigation begins with a clear research question and follows a rigorous methodology designed to produce findings that can withstand scrutiny.

Our investigative team, led by Sarah Mitchell, brings decades of combined experience in document research, source development, data analysis, and narrative construction. We work for organizations, nonprofits, legal firms, and individuals who need independent, reliable research on sensitive or complex topics. Whether you need a focused inquiry into a specific claim or a multi-month examination of a systemic issue, we have the expertise and resources to deliver thorough, defensible results from our Ottawa office.

Who This Service Is For

Investigative reporting is appropriate for organizations and individuals who need impartial, evidence-based research on a specific topic. Common clients include nonprofits investigating organizational issues, legal teams requiring independent fact-finding, publishers seeking to commission original investigative content, government agencies needing external review, and individuals facing situations where facts need to be established independently.

This service is not legal advice, and our reports do not constitute legal opinions. If your matter requires legal proceedings or formal legal analysis, we recommend engaging a lawyer in parallel. We can work alongside legal counsel to ensure our reporting complements the legal process.

How a Session Works

After the initial consultation, you will receive a detailed proposal outlining the scope of the investigation, estimated timeline, team assignments, and total cost. A 30% deposit secures your booking. During the investigation, you will receive regular progress updates at intervals agreed upon in the proposal. You have direct access to the lead investigator by email and phone during business hours.

At the conclusion of the investigation, we deliver a written report with supporting documentation. A presentation meeting can be arranged at our office (capacity 8 people) or by video call to walk through the findings. You may ask questions and request clarifications during the 2 included revision rounds.

What to Prepare

Before your initial consultation, it is helpful (but not required) to prepare the following:

• A summary of the matter you want investigated, including any background context
• Any documents, records, or data you already have that may be relevant
• A list of key individuals or organizations involved
• Your objectives - what you hope to learn or demonstrate
• Your preferred timeline and any deadlines that apply

For a more detailed preparation guide, read our article: How to Prepare for an Investigation.

Deliverables & Formats

All investigations result in a written report delivered in PDF and DOCX format. Reports include an executive summary, methodology section, findings, supporting evidence, and source notes. Depending on the investigation type, deliverables may also include data sets (CSV/XLSX), timelines, organizational charts, and appendices with copies of key documents.

For investigations that include interviews, transcript summaries or full transcripts can be provided upon request. All files are archived for 36 months after delivery.

Timelines

Short investigations typically take 2-4 weeks. Comprehensive investigations run 1-3 months, and major investigations may extend beyond 3 months. Timelines depend on the complexity of the subject, the availability of sources, and the scope of document review required. A realistic timeline is established during the scoping phase and confirmed in the proposal.

Revisions & Follow-Up

2 rounds of revisions are included at no additional cost. A revision round consists of one set of consolidated feedback from you, followed by our implementation of those changes. If you require additional revisions beyond the included rounds, they are billed at our editorial consulting hourly rate ($295/hour before HST). After final delivery, we remain available for follow-up questions.

What Is Not Included

This service does not include: legal advice or legal opinions; surveillance or undercover operations; access to sealed court records or classified government documents; hacking, social engineering, or any illegal data acquisition method; publication or distribution of the report (you receive the report and control its use); and on-camera or broadcast-ready presentation of findings (see our Documentary Production service for video content).

How Pricing Works

All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD) before applicable HST (13%). Your invoice will show the subtotal, HST amount, and total. Our GST/HST registration number is 741825693RT0001. B2B clients may arrange net 30 payment terms by prior agreement. Full payment terms are set out in our Terms of Service.