A "not sustained" investigation outcome indicates what?

The "not sustained" outcome in an investigation signifies that there was not enough evidence available to either support or refute the allegations made. This is a crucial finding as it reflects the challenges faced during the investigation process, where the evidence may be inconclusive, missing, or too ambiguous to reach a definitive conclusion. Consequently, while the investigation did not find proof of misconduct, it also did not fully clear the accused party due to the lack of adequate evidence. This outcome highlights the complexity of such investigations and the necessity of having reliable information to make informed decisions.

The other options suggest conclusions that go beyond the available evidence. For instance, stating that acts were justified or that allegations were proven false implies a clarity in the investigation that is absent in a "not sustained" finding. Additionally, the removal of information does not align with the concept of a "not sustained" result, which is based on the amount of evidence rather than the availability or existence of evidence.