Corporate Fraud, Misconduct & Integrity Investigations
Independent investigation of suspected fraud, theft, procurement irregularities, conflicts of interest, employee misconduct and undisclosed relationships.
Explore capabilityCapabilities
Intelligence matched to the decision at stake.
No two matters are identical. Blackthorn combines investigative and analytical capabilities around a defined question, a legitimate purpose and an agreed outcome.
Eight connected practices
The method follows the question.
Assignments may include documentary research, interviews, field enquiries, lawful observation, company and asset research, digital intelligence and structured analysis. These are methods used within an approved mandate — not ungoverned services sold on their own.
Legal & Litigation Intelligence
Fact development, subject location, asset research, relationship mapping, chronology reconstruction and public-source intelligence for legal teams.
Explore capabilityInsurance & Claims Investigations
Objective field and intelligence support for complex, inconsistent, high-value or suspicious claims — without prejudging the claimant.
Explore capabilityDue Diligence & Background Intelligence
Enhanced intelligence for appointments, suppliers, partners, investors and transactions where ordinary database screening is not enough.
Explore capabilityDigital & Open-Source Intelligence
Lawful collection, preservation and analysis of public digital information relevant to identity, relationships, conduct, events, threats and reputation.
Explore capabilityAsset, Subject & Location Intelligence
Lawful research and field verification concerning people, addresses, entities and asset indicators relevant to litigation, recovery, fraud or insurance.
Explore capabilityPrivate Client Investigations
Discreet investigation of sensitive identity, conduct, deception, harassment, family and relationship concerns — within strict legal and ethical limits.
Explore capabilityRetained Intelligence & Advisory
Reserved investigative capacity, consistent reporting standards and defined monitoring for organisations, legal teams, insurers, executives and family offices.
Explore capabilityEngagements
Defined ways to begin.
Productised engagements make the work easier to understand and commission without abandoning proper scoping. Each still passes through conflict, authority and lawfulness review before any operational work starts.
Initial Assessment
Establish whether Blackthorn can lawfully and usefully assist, what the real question is and whether a wider investigation is justified.
Outcome: The client knows whether to proceed, narrow the issue, involve counsel, preserve evidence or take another course.
Rapid Intelligence Brief
Answer one tightly defined and time-sensitive question using available lawful sources and targeted verification.
Outcome: A proportionate decision aid — not a full investigation disguised as a quick search.
Matter Investigation
Investigate a defined allegation, incident, disputed account or pattern through a controlled end-to-end process.
Outcome: A structured record of what is established, what is not, what remains uncertain and what may follow.
Integrity Review
Assess the integrity and material risk indicators of a person, entity, supplier, appointee or transaction at Essential, Enhanced or Strategic level.
Outcome: An appointment or transaction decision made with a clear view of verified history, discrepancies, red flags and unknowns.
Claims Review
Investigate a defined insurance referral objectively against agreed questions and service levels.
Outcome: Concise, consistent and reviewable findings — without Blackthorn making the coverage decision.
Counsel Support
Provide attorneys and litigation teams with responsive investigative support under a clear instruction and communication protocol.
Outcome: Organised factual intelligence without managing multiple uncoordinated investigators.
Private Office
Give executives, families and family offices a single confidential route for personal due diligence, digital exposure and defined monitoring.
Outcome: Controlled access to professional intelligence support instead of informal or legally risky methods.
Commercial structure
Scope, budget and control points agreed before work begins.
Fixed-scope assignment
Where the question, available information, methods and deliverables can be defined with reasonable certainty. Controlled through stated assumptions, exclusions, change triggers and milestones.
Time and materials
Where direction depends on emerging evidence and scope cannot responsibly be fixed at the outset. Controlled through approved rates, a budget ceiling, time reporting and review points.
Phased investigation
Recommended for complex matters. The client can stop, redirect or approve the next phase at each gate rather than committing to an open-ended mandate.
Retainer or panel programme
For recurring demand, priority response or portfolio work. Controlled through reserved capacity, response targets, standard templates, quality audit and escalation rules.
Blackthorn does not accept success fees tied to finding wrongdoing, vague unlimited mandates, unapproved third-party expenses or operational work before an engagement is accepted.
Confidential enquiries
Not sure which service fits the matter?
Most clients begin with the problem, not a service name. Tell us what needs to be established and what decision depends on it.
Request a confidential consultation