Final answer:
Audits, public record searches, and net worth calculations are used to gather documentary evidence in a fraud investigation. They are critical in establishing financial information and detecting fraud by uncovering discrepancies in reported earnings compared to actual financial standing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Audits, public record searches, and net worth calculations are utilized to gather a particular type of evidence during a fraud investigation. The type of evidence that they cater to is of a documentary nature. These methods are crucial in establishing a paper trail, confirming financial information, and uncovering potential discrepancies that point towards fraudulent activities.
Audits are formal examinations of an organization's or individual's accounts or financial situation, which can reveal inaccuracies or inconsistencies. Public record searches can uncover information that may not be represented in personal or business financial statements, and net worth calculations reveal the financial standing of an individual or entity that can be compared against reported earnings to detect fraud.
On the other hand, testimonial evidence would involve the accounts of witnesses, whereas forensic evidence usually relates to scientific methods such as DNA analysis, and observational evidence is based on what someone has seen or perceived directly.