1. 1 REPORT WRITING Learning Domain 18

2. 2 INVESTIGATIVE REPORT Definition: Definition: Written _____________ prepared by a peace officer, in detail, of an officer’s observations and actions as they relate to a specific event or incident Written _____________ prepared by a peace officer, in detail, of an officer’s observations and actions as they relate to a specific event or incident PC 11107 requires each ____________ chief furnish reports of specific misdemeanors and felonies to DOJ PC 11107 requires each ____________ chief furnish reports of specific misdemeanors and felonies to DOJ

3. 3 INVESTIGATIVE REPORT Definition: Definition: Written prepared by a peace officer, in detail, of an officer’s observations and actions as they relate to a specific event or incident Written documentation prepared by a peace officer, in detail, of an officer’s observations and actions as they relate to a specific event or incident PC 11107 requires each sheriff or police chief furnish reports of specific misdemeanors and felonies to DOJ PC 11107 requires each sheriff or police chief furnish reports of specific misdemeanors and felonies to DOJ

4. 44 REQUIRED REPORTING PC 11107 – required reporting of specific misdemeanors and felonies (w/b p 2-4) PC 11107 – required reporting of specific misdemeanors and felonies (w/b p 2-4) PC 118.1 – officer knowingly files a false police report PC 118.1 – officer knowingly files a false police report

5. 5 HOW REPORTS ARE USED Assist with ID, ___________ and prosecution of criminals Assist with ID, ___________ and prosecution of criminals Assist prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other L/E agencies Assist prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other L/E agencies Provide a source of information for evaluation and officer ___________ Provide a source of information for evaluation and officer ___________ Assist officers during court appearances Assist officers during court appearances Serve as reference material/follow-up Serve as reference material/follow-up

6. 6 HOW REPORTS ARE USED Assist with ID, apprehension and prosecution of criminals Assist with ID, apprehension and prosecution of criminals Assist prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other L/E agencies Assist prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other L/E agencies Provide a source of information for evaluation and officer performance Provide a source of information for evaluation and officer performance Assist officers during court appearances Assist officers during court appearances Serve as reference material/follow-up Serve as reference material/follow-up

7. 7 WHO SEES THE REPORT ? Immediate Supervisors, FTO’s Immediate Supervisors, FTO’s __________ __________ Other L/E agencies/government agencies Other L/E agencies/government agencies Prosecuting and defense attorneys Prosecuting and defense attorneys ________ companies ________ companies News media News media Other Involved Parties Other Involved Parties

8. 8 WHO SEES THE REPORT ? Immediate Supervisors, FTO’s Immediate Supervisors, FTO’s Detectives Detectives Other L/E agencies/government agencies Other L/E agencies/government agencies Prosecuting and defense attorneys Prosecuting and defense attorneys Insurance companies Insurance companies News media News media Other Involved Parties Other Involved Parties

9. 9 CHARACTERISTICS of an EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ______-an objective accounting of the relevant facts ______-an objective accounting of the relevant facts _______-no inconsistencies or discrepancies between what took place and what is documented _______-no inconsistencies or discrepancies between what took place and what is documented Clear- is achieved by use of appropriate language and in logical order. Clear- is achieved by use of appropriate language and in logical order.

10. 10 CHARACTERISTICS of an EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT Factual-an objective accounting of the relevant facts Factual-an objective accounting of the relevant facts Accurate-no inconsistencies or discrepancies between what took place and what is documented Accurate-no inconsistencies or discrepancies between what took place and what is documented Clear- is achieved by use of appropriate language and in logical order. Clear- is achieved by use of appropriate language and in logical order.

11. 11 CHARACTERISTICS of an EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ______-Should be brief and yet contain all relevant information ______-Should be brief and yet contain all relevant information Complete-Should be able to identify the what, where, when, why and how regarding the event or incident based on the information provided. Complete-Should be able to identify the what, where, when, why and how regarding the event or incident based on the information provided. ______-cannot be delayed, must be completed in a timely manner. ______-cannot be delayed, must be completed in a timely manner.

12. 12 CHARACTERISTICS of an EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT Concise-Should be brief and yet contain all relevant information Concise-Should be brief and yet contain all relevant information Complete-Should be able to identify the what, where, when, why and how regarding the event or incident based on the information provided. Complete-Should be able to identify the what, where, when, why and how regarding the event or incident based on the information provided. Timely-cannot be delayed, must be completed in a timely manner. Timely-cannot be delayed, must be completed in a timely manner.

13. 13 FIELD NOTES Considerations: Considerations:  Notes are the primary source of information for the report  Detailed field notes ______ the need to recontact involved parties  More reliable than _______  Can be used to defend the credibility of the final report

14. 14 FIELD NOTES Considerations: Considerations:  Notes are the primary source of information for the report  Detailed field notes reduce the need to recontact involved parties  More reliable than memory  Can be used to defend the credibility of the final report

15. 15 THREE STEP PROCESS-FIELD INTERVIEW 1. _____ attentively: Ask the person to recount what occurred Ask the person to recount what occurred Keep the person ________ Keep the person ________ Listen carefully Listen carefully Do not take notes Do not take notes

16. 16 THREE STEP PROCESS-FIELD INTERVIEW 1. Listen attentively: Ask the person to recount what occurred Ask the person to recount what occurred Keep the person Keep the person focused Listen carefully Listen carefully Do not take notes Do not take notes

17. 17 THREE STEP PROCESS-FIELD INTERVIEW 2. Take notes and ask questions: Obtain __ information (Vic/Wits) Obtain __ information (Vic/Wits) Ask the person to repeat the account of what happened again (Occurrence) Ask the person to repeat the account of what happened again (Occurrence) Ask additional questions as needed to determine, what, when, who, how and why Ask additional questions as needed to determine, what, when, who, how and why Ask __________ questions, i.e. “what color was the vehicle” etc. Ask __________ questions, i.e. “what color was the vehicle” etc.

18. 18 THREE STEP PROCESS-FIELD INTERVIEW 2. Take notes and ask questions: Obtain ID information (Vic/Wits) Obtain ID information (Vic/Wits) Ask the person to repeat the account of what happened again (Occurrence) Ask the person to repeat the account of what happened again (Occurrence) Ask additional questions as needed to determine, what, when, who, how and why Ask additional questions as needed to determine, what, when, who, how and why Ask open ended questions, i.e. “what color was the vehicle” etc. Ask open ended questions, i.e. “what color was the vehicle” etc.

19. 19 THREE STEP PROCESS-FIELD INTERVIEW 3. _____ Information: Review information with the person Review information with the person Ask for confirmation Ask for confirmation Make modifications or corrections as necessary Make modifications or corrections as necessary Verify all changes and clarify discrepancies Verify all changes and clarify discrepancies

20. 20 THREE STEP PROCESS-FIELD INTERVIEW 3. Verify Information: Review information with the person Review information with the person Ask for confirmation Ask for confirmation Make modifications or corrections as necessary Make modifications or corrections as necessary Verify all changes and clarify discrepancies Verify all changes and clarify discrepancies

21. 21 QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE ANSWERED (w/b 2-34) WHAT WHAT ______ ______ WHERE WHERE ______ ______ HOW HOW ______ ______

22. 22 QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE ANSWERED (w/b 2-34) WHAT WHAT WHEN WHERE WHERE WHO WHO HOW HOW WHY

23. 23 FUNDAMENTAL CONTENT ELEMENTS 1. Initial information:  Establishes how the officer became involved with the specific incident and additional background information  ___________________ 2. ___________ of the crime:  Includes the facts that are necessary to show that a specific crime has taken place (elements-corpus delicti)

24. 24 FUNDAMENTAL CONTENT ELEMENTS 1. Initial information:  Establishes how the officer became involved with the specific incident and additional background information  Establishes Jurisdiction 2. Identification of the crime:  Includes the facts that are necessary to show that a specific crime has taken place (elements-corpus delicti)

25. 25 FUNDAMENTAL CONTENT ELEMENTS 3. Identification of involved parties:  Reporting person(s), victim(s), suspect(s), or witness(es) 4. ____________ statements:  Gives the details of the events the involved parties observed or experienced

26. 26 FUNDAMENTAL CONTENT ELEMENTS 3. Identification of involved parties:  Reporting person(s), victim(s), suspect(s), or witness(es) 4. Witness/Victim statements:  Gives the details of the events the involved parties observed or experienced

27. 27 FUNDAMENTAL CONTENT ELEMENTS 5. Crime scene specifics:  Necessary to ________________ the scene as well as the events that took place. 6. Property Information:  Includes descriptions, land details, details of stolen items and physical evidence, details of weapons used

28. 28 FUNDAMENTAL CONTENT ELEMENTS 5. Crime scene specifics:  Necessary to accurately visualize the scene as well as the events that took place. 6. Property Information:  Includes descriptions, land details, details of stolen items and physical evidence, details of weapons used

29. 29 FUNDAMENTAL CONTENT ELEMENTS 7. Officer actions:  Includes descriptions of all actions taken by peace officers that are related to the incident, including ______________ agencies at the scene, i.e. fire, EMS

30. 30 FUNDAMENTAL CONTENT ELEMENTS 7. Officer actions:  Includes descriptions of all actions taken by peace officers that are related to the incident, including other government agencies at the scene, i.e. fire, EMS

31. 31 CRIME IDENTIFICATION ________________ ________________ Common name of crime Common name of crime Statutory code section/number Statutory code section/number Existence of required crime elements Existence of required crime elements PC 211 – _________ is the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of ______________ (1872)

32. 32 CRIME IDENTIFICATION Corpus delicti Corpus delicti Common name of crime Common name of crime Statutory code section/number Statutory code section/number Existence of required crime elements Existence of required crime elements PC 211 – Robbery is the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear (1872)

33. 33 PC 211 – Robbery is the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear (1872)

34. 34 CRIME IDENTIFICATION  __________________ Physical condition of the crime scene Physical condition of the crime scene Location of physical evidence Location of physical evidence

35. 35 CRIME IDENTIFICATION  Crime Scene Specifics Physical condition of the crime scene Physical condition of the crime scene Location of physical evidence Location of physical evidence