CHAPTER 4 NOTE-TAKING AND REPORTS

NOTE-TAKING FIELD NOTES- Written expression of impressions and facts gathered during an initial inquiry 1. Factual foundation for incident report 2. Memory aids 3. Enhance the credibility of the officer and the report Use a loose leaf notebook.

NOTE CONTENTS 1. Location and time of the offense 2. Names and identifying data for victims, suspects, and witnesses 3. Verbatim statements 4. Property and injury descriptions 5. Investigative data and MO 6. Crime scene recording

INCIDENT REPORTS Formalizing, gathering, or summarizing all information into a permanent written record 15-20% of officers time USERS- Public, Corrections, Media, Judges, Supervisors, Investigators, Prosecutors, DEFENSE COUNSEL

REPORT GUIDELINES MUST BE: 1. Clear- Reader comprehends the same as the writer 2. Complete- Clear picture to a stranger 3. Concise- To the point 4. Correct- Accurate 5. Courteous-Limit to sight, hearing, touch- No opinions or conjecture

TYPES OF REPORTS Preliminary- The first detailed listing of the facts of the case Progress- Constant follow-up-document new information Closing and prosecution reports- Aids the prosecutor in preparing the case- Case File

PUBLIC RECORDS Anything that is in the incident report is public record and available to anyone who brings an open records request. Supplemental reports are not public records. Put investigative notes on supplemental reports. Defense can get info. in discovery, but not the media or general public.