What is a major disadvantage of using the internet as an investigative tool?

The major disadvantage of using the internet as an investigative tool is the inability to verify information or its source. This aspect is critical in ensuring the integrity and reliability of the data being gathered. Information on the internet can often be misleading, incomplete, or false, as anyone can publish content without stringent checks on its accuracy. For effective investigations, it's essential to ascertain the credibility of the information and understand the context in which it was created. This challenge makes it difficult to rely on online resources without thorough verification processes, potentially leading to errors in judgment or conclusions drawn during the investigative process.

Other considerations like limited access to information might not be a substantial issue given the vast amount of data available online, while high costs associated with obtaining data are typically not a defining challenge since many online resources are free or low-cost. Additionally, while there may be concerns about lack of privacy, these do not inherently limit the investigative process in the same way that the inability to verify the credibility of information does.