Investigation here, with cars involved in crash (8)

I believe the answer is:

research

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'investigation' is the definition.
(research is investigating something)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for research that I've seen before include "material for investigation" , "scientific survey" , "Examination" , "enquiry" , "Scientific study" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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