/ ɪnˈvestɪgətɪv; NAmE -geɪtɪv/ (also less frequent in·ves·ti·ga·tory / ɪnˈvestɪgətəri; NAmE -gətɔːri/) adjective
[ usually before noun ] involving examining an event or a situation to find out the truth :
The article was an excellent piece of investigative journalism .
The police have full investigatory powers.