What is the first step that an investigator should take when beginning a financial investigation...

The first step in a financial investigation is to review and analyze allinternalsources of information related to the suspicious transaction.

Option C (Correct):Gathering and assessing internal data helps investigators establish a baseline for normal vs. suspicious customer behavior. This includes reviewing KYC (Know Your Customer) documentation, transaction history, and any previous alerts on the customer.

Option B (Incorrect):This is part of the investigation, but an investigator first needs togatherdata before determining consistency with expected behavior.

Option A (Incorrect):An FIU is typically contactedafterinternal analysis has been completed and a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) is warranted.

Option D (Incorrect):External information is useful, but internal data should be reviewed first to confirm whether a case needs escalation.