2. Objectives To communicate valid conclusions supported by data.
To write clear, coherent laboratory reports related to scientific investigations.
Use data as evidence to support scientific arguments and claims in written or oral presentations.

3. Technical Writing
Is written communication intended to inform an audience of practical or scientific knowledge
Includes:
field notes
investigation reports
lab reports

4. Communication Skills Are necessary for forensic scientists
notes and reports are used to help police investigators and prosecutors develop theories about cases
notes and reports may also be used directly as evidence in a court case
forensic experts will be required to testify in court and must be able to explain complicated concepts to jurors

5. Technical Writing
Must allow the audience to easily find and understand specific information
Must be:
accurate
clear
concise
organized
data-based

6. Accuracy Requires writing specific and true information
avoid generalizations, such as:
more
many
large
small
provide all relevant information
Instead of: “The body was still warm and was stiff so the victim was not dead very long”
Use: “The body’s internal temperature was at 94.1 degrees Fahrenheit and had developed rigor mortis, thus the victim was likely dead between three and four hours.”

7. Clarity Requires writing content which is easy to understand Involves:
using terms familiar to the audience and defining unfamiliar words when necessary
explaining difficult concepts in simplified language
avoiding large words only to look impressive

8. Clarity Involves: using concrete language
do not use figurative or metaphorical language which requires interpretation
using an outline to ensure logical organization of information

9. Conciseness
Aids with clarity and allows audience to easily identify essential information
Involves:
getting rid of any extra unnecessary words
for example: say “result” instead of “end result”
including only necessary information

10. Organization
Allows the audience to find the appropriate information quickly
scannable
Requires
presenting information in a logical order
using headings and graphic elements to indicate where information is located
Technical documents are not often read straight through like a novel, but are more likely to be scanned for the important information. This makes clarity, conciseness and organization extremely important in any technical document.

11. Data Are facts and statistics
objective details based on results from research and investigation
Are used to develop and support conclusions
Data is required to make any statements in forensic science. A forensic scientist should never make statements which they have not backed up with fact.

12. Common Genres in Forensic Science
Include:
field notes
investigative reports
lab reports
Genre refers to a group or classification of texts which are similar in style, form or subject matter. We commonly hear genre being used to classify creative writing (e.g. science fiction, romance, mystery), however genre can be used to classify technical writing as well.

13. Understanding Genre
Provides information on how to format technical documents
genre expectations explain how to write, what to write and how to organize and distribute text

14. Field Notes Are used to record information at the scene of an incident
Are more effective than relying on an officer’s memory
Reduce the need of having to revisit the scene or contact witnesses again
Serve as primary reference for any investigative or incident reports written later
used in court to verify the accuracy of reports written

15. Field Notes
Require certain stylistic elements in order to be effective
avoid usage of abbreviations or slang words
when slang or abbreviations are used by witnesses, explain the meaning
detail actions chronologically
explain the steps officers took to examine the scene as they occur
avoid documenting theories, opinions, analysis
only include facts in the field notes

16. Field Notes
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
summary
begin with basic information about the case
for example: what was the crime, who responded, etc.

17. Field Notes
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
scene
describe the scene including anything unusual and out of place, weather, condition and location of area
scene notes also provide description and location of evidence as well as the state of bodies found at the scene (when applicable)
descriptions of the scene need to be made before any interference from investigators

18. Field Notes
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
processing
explain the methods used to process the crime scene and document who was on the scene and what everyone’s purpose was
evidence collected
provide a detailed log of what evidence was found, how it was collected, how evidence was labeled and where evidence was sent

19. Field Notes
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
pending
written last
create a list of tasks which will need to be completed

20. Investigative Reports
Provide documentation explaining the process of an investigation
Require certain stylistic elements in order to be effective
written in first person
bulleted information
numbered pages
Should only include accurate and verified information

21. Investigative Reports
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
title page
includes pertinent case information
such as the case name and number, date, investigators, contact information
when reports are particularly long they may also require a table of contents

22. Investigative Reports
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections
description of incident
facts presented about the incident and include the source of information
identification of victims, suspects and witnesses
as much information should be included as possible
including name, gender, social security number, birthday, address, phone number

23. Investigative Reports
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
evidence documentation
description of the evidence and all identifying information
such as serial numbers
steps taken
this is a detailed list of what has been accomplished over the duration of the investigation

24. Investigative Reports
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
investigation findings
an explanation of all results or discoveries
conclusion
state what was found as a result of investigation
for example: stating the possible law violations
should provide a summary of what is explained in detail in the full report without being repetitive

25. Investigative Reports
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
exhibits
documents relevant to the case
for example: chain of custody documentation, lab reports or interview transcripts

26. Lab Reports
Document the procedure and results of investigative tests and procedures, such as DNA or toxicology analysis
Can be used in court
Should be maintained throughout the process of examination rather than written at the end of an examination
allows reports to be more accurate, not relying on memory

27. Lab Reports
Require certain stylistic elements in order to be effective
include analysis of results
lab reports are written by experts on a topic meant to be read by non-experts
needs to explain results and implications to readers

28. Lab Reports
Require certain stylistic elements in order to be effective
do not “solve the case”
never say absolutes such as “this proves the suspect murdered the victim,” instead present professional opinions only on what can be told from the examination such as “the evidence indicates the suspect had a physical altercation with the victim before the victim’s death”
only conclude what the evidence shows, never make inferences or hypotheses in a lab report
it is the job of police investigators or prosecutors to make inferences and hypotheses

29. Lab Reports
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
executive summary
explains the results of an examination quickly for readers
objectives
explains the purpose of the examination
for example: “to scan a computer for digital photographs related to an abduction”

30. Lab Reports
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
evidence analyzed
description and identifying information for evidence which was analyzed
for example: serial numbers or item numbers
steps taken
description of the examination step-by-step
for example: the process used to identify DNA in a blood sample

31. Lab Reports
Are formatted differently according to different departments, however they all typically include the following sections:
relevant findings
results of the examination which are relevant to the case
conclusion
provide analysis of the results and implications of results on the case

32. Acknowledgements Assistant Brand Manager Whitney Orth Graphics Editor
Melody Rowell
Quality Control Director
Angela Dehls
V.P. of Brand Management
Clayton Franklin
Executive Producer
Gordon W. Davis, Ph.D.
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