Which is a common limitation when interpreting data from an investigation?

• A. Incomplete evidence
• B. Measurement errors
• C. Time gaps
• D. Biased interpretation

Answer: (A)

Interpreting data from an investigation is limited by the completeness of the evidence. When essential information is missing, you don’t have the full picture of what happened, the timing of events, or the factors that contributed, so conclusions must be cautious and provisional. Missing records, unavailable telemetry, or damaged evidence create gaps that prevent a clear, defensible reconstruction of the incident, regardless of how precise the available measurements are. Time gaps and measurement errors can worsen this uncertainty, and biased interpretation can color judgment, but the fundamental limitation is simply not having all the necessary evidence to form a complete, confident conclusion.