What is a 'fraud examination'?

A 'fraud examination' refers specifically to a review conducted to identify whether fraud has taken place. This process involves gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, analyzing financial records, and using various forensic techniques to assess the presence of fraudulent activities. The goal of a fraud examination is to provide a thorough understanding of the facts surrounding a suspected fraud case, which can inform further actions, such as legal proceedings or organizational policy changes.

The other options presented do not align with the definition of a fraud examination. Performance appraisals focus on assessing employee performance and are unrelated to uncovering fraud. Analyzing market competition is concerned with understanding the competitive landscape within an industry, while a financial forecast model is used to estimate future financial outcomes based on historical data and trends. None of these tasks involve the investigative and problem-solving approach required in a fraud examination.