An investigator is a professional who conducts inquiries to gather facts and evidence about a specific issue or case. They often work in fields such as law enforcement, private investigation, or research. Investigators use various methods, including interviews, surveillance, and analysis of documents, to uncover information and solve problems. In law enforcement, investigators, often referred to as detectives, focus on criminal cases, gathering evidence to support prosecutions. In other contexts, such as scientific research, an investigator may study phenomena or conduct experiments to advance knowledge in a particular field, like biology or psychology.