Despite our best intentions, almost everyone brings some bias to human interactions — even business owners and executives investigating fraud. Sometimes bias can lead to the right conclusion. However, bias can also compromise an investigation’s integrity. If you suspect fraud in your organization and decide to investigate yourself, be sure to guard against bias that may lead you to the wrong culprit or into legal trouble. Banish stereotypes One of the most destructive types of bias is preconceived notions about employees based on their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and similar personal characteristics. Not only is this type of identity-based bias generally illegal in the workplace, but it can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding an employee’s guilt or innocence. Members of a fraud investigation team should make...
