Baker Tilly Merali's

To our forensic services team the term 'investigation' actually covers a huge spectrum of work, litigious and non-litigious.

We sometimes investigate matters that are not litigated, for example in connection with due diligence, where we might help clear up areas of doubt rather than suspicion.

Many cases are of possible wrongdoing, investigating fraud and white-collar crime. This will be on behalf of regulatory bodies, to investigate alleged misappropriation of funds, embezzlement or theft, or on behalf of companies and individuals via their solicitors in defence.

A fraud investigation typically involves IT forensics, tracing and examining data, documents, accounts and financial records. The safe capture of data for use as evidence is vital. Should you have grounds for suspicion then speak to us – and a legal representative before making any other move.

An investigation can be weakened or a case compromised if computers and files are seized in such a way that their use as evidence is prejudiced.

We have experience in a wide range of cases from disappearing pension funds to cross-firing of cheques and tax fraud.

Our investigation skills are also applied in corporate finance and insolvency assignments, where it might be necessary to check that accounts and records are correct and that there are no signs of irregularity.

Areas of work that we cover include:

• fraud
• crime
• asset tracing
• confiscation work
• regulatory investigations
• due diligence.