Due diligence is a vital intelligence discipline and has become an indispensable tool that enables corporate decision-makers and their legal advisors to gain and maintain a competitive edge. Investigative due diligence explores issues and pursues lines of inquiry well beyond the information found in ledger books and contract clauses. Legal, financial, and business decision-makers responsible for strategic transactions and business relationships increasingly rely on investigative due diligence in their evaluation of pending business investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, board appointments, customer relationships, and executive hires.