> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-5.x/detect-investigate-and-respond-to-threats/investigate-and-respond-to-cases/forensics/forensic-investigations/manage-an-investigation/close-an-investigation.md).

# Close an investigation

Close an investigation when it is resolved or no longer needed.

{% hint style="info" %}
Closing starts a 24-hour grace period. Collections are deleted after that period. You can cancel the close request before deletion.
{% endhint %}

1. In the **Forensic Investigations** table, right-click the investigation.
2. Select **Close**.
3. In **Close Investigation**, review the investigation's exported evidence collections.

The investigation status changes to **Close Pending**. The timestamp shows when the investigation expires and data is deleted.

While closure is pending, right-click the investigation to select one of these actions:

* **Edit** — Update the name, description, or user permissions.
* **Open** — Cancel the close request.
* **Permanently delete** — Delete the investigation and associated data immediately. This action cannot be canceled.

***


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-5.x/detect-investigate-and-respond-to-threats/investigate-and-respond-to-cases/forensics/forensic-investigations/manage-an-investigation/close-an-investigation.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.