CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORTS

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORT WRITING

THE HOW AND WHYPart 3Preparing to Write a ReportHow do you prepare to write a report?At the scene have writing materials with you (a small notebook in a pocket for emergencies is a good idea)observe and rememberrecord information promptlytake thorough, readable notesWhat information is important?what happened at the sceneanything a suspect said, word-for-wordanything you and other officers didcontact information for witnessesinvestigations you carried out, even if results were negativedisposition of evidence and suspectsWhat else is important?Date, time, and locationSerial numbers, makes, and modelsVictims, witnesses, and suspectsInvestigations and resultsMiranda rightsEvidenceInjuries

When do you need specific details?establishing probable causedescribing people at the scenelisting injuriesexplaining how you secured the crime sceneproviding a chain of custody for evidence

What tips are helpful for interviews?deal with emotions firstprovide privacy if possibleask for explanations for words and expressions you dont understand (slang, foreign languages)use quotation marks to record the exact words spoken by a victim, witness, or suspectremember that hearsay is permissible in a police report

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