Pretty much the title. Playing an Investigator for the first time and I'm trying to understand what constitutes a "clue".

I've seen some answers saying that the investigator can sneak and look at an enemy in the next room and designate them as their target of investigation or that someone in their place could sneak in, come back, and relay the information to the investigator in order for them to start their investigation.

I'm also wondering if spoken word is enough to start an investigation. Someone says there's a key to a chest somewhere. Or you hear a scream. Or some other audible clue.

The thing that's tripping me up is the RAW interpretation: `You spend 1 minute examining the details...`. Examine usually carries the connotation that there is something physical to look at. It isn't merely a sit down and think about what you just heard. Additionally the two examples given are about 2 physical clues that spark the investigation.

I want to justify audible clues with this line: ` You don't need to know the identity, purpose, or nature of the subject, but you do need to be aware of its existence.` But that is referring to the subject, and not of the clue. So if I read in a book that "The Great Plague" swept through the city, I don't need to know what kind of plague it is. It could be a plague of rats. A disease. But I could still start my investigation into the "Plague" without knowing about its exact details.

Am I overthinking it?