This study delves into the connection between the distinct phases of the record life cycle and anti-corruption investigations. Its primary objective is to identify how the activities involved in each stage of the record life cycle impact anti-corruption investigative work. A qualitative, exploratory case study methodology involved interviews with 15 anti-corruption investigators in Nigeria in 2020. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis. The study explicates how various phases of evidence development can assist in anti-corruption efforts while also revealing the potential dangers that could unintentionally facilitate the misconduct they seek to prevent. In Nigeria, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) relies entirely on records generated and maintained by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to execute its responsibilities. These records can serve as evidence at any point in their existence. As a result, the recordkeeping procedures of MDAs are crucial for generating records that satisfy the accountability criteria for anti-corruption investigations. Since corruption frequently involves tampering with records, and an unsatisfactory recordkeeping environment can foster corrupt behaviours in MDAs, a deeper understanding of the record life cycle is necessary for investigators to pinpoint the specific stage where misconduct arises and take corrective action. This anti-corruption investigation strategy that employs the record life cycle introduces a novel preventive approach that enables accountability forums to scrutinize MDAs’ recordkeeping procedures and identify and close loopholes that promote corruption.

中文翻译：

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剖析记录生命周期：反腐败调查策略的新前沿

本研究深入探讨了记录生命周期的不同阶段与反腐败调查之间的联系。其主要目标是确定记录生命周期每个阶段涉及的活动如何影响反腐败调查工作。定性、探索性案例研究方法涉及 2020 年对尼日利亚 15 名反腐败调查员的访谈。使用主题分析对收集的数据进行分析。该研究阐述了证据开发的各个阶段如何协助反腐败工作，同时也揭示了可能无意中助长他们试图防止的不当行为的潜在危险。在尼日利亚，独立腐败行为和其他相关犯罪委员会 (ICPC) 完全依赖各部委、部门和机构 (MDA) 生成和维护的记录来履行其职责。这些记录在其存在的任何时候都可以作为证据。因此，MDA 的记录保存程序对于生成满足反腐败调查问责标准的记录至关重要。由于腐败经常涉及篡改记录，而不满意的记录保存环境可能会助长 MDA 中的腐败行为，因此调查人员有必要更深入地了解记录生命周期，以查明不当行为发生的具体阶段并采取纠正措施。这种利用记录生命周期的反腐败调查策略引入了一种新颖的预防方法，使问责论坛能够审查 MDA 的记录保存程序，并识别和堵塞助长腐败的漏洞。