Corporate internal investigations have become big business; they often generate large fees for lawyers and other professionals who conduct them, and they have become important fixtures in the criminal investigative practices in a number of countries. Much has been written about them. Most of that discussion has focused on the challenging practicalities of running a large investigation, sometimes in the context of local procedures and practices; or on recent judicial and legislative developments, or changes in prosecutorial policy, that affect them. The purpose here is to take a broader look at corporate internal investigations, and to ask some basic questions: What are the goals and legal parameters of a given investigation? How will its fruits be used? And most importantly, do these parameters vary from country to country in ways that may affect cross-border criminal matters?