Nist investigations consider which set of foundational questions?

• A. Who, What, Where, When, Why and How
• B. Who, Why and How
• C. What, When, Where
• D. Why and How

Answer: (A)

Fundamentally, thorough investigations rely on six questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how. Each one covers a vital aspect of understanding an event or situation. Who identifies the actors or responsible parties; what details the exact occurrence or condition; where pinpoints the location; when establishes the timeline; why explores causes or motivations; and how describes the methods or processes involved. Together they provide a complete, traceable picture that supports accurate findings and effective actions. Omitting any one of these elements leaves gaps that can undermine conclusions, whereas focusing on all six ensures clarity and defensible results. In practice, applying all six gives a robust framework for gathering evidence, assessing impact, and guiding appropriate enforcement or remediation.