Criminal Justice 3: Prepare to Write a Report

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORT WRITING THE HOW AND WHY Part 3 Preparing to Write a Report

How do you prepare to write areport?At the scene… have writing materials with you (a small notebook in a pocket for emergencies is a good idea) observe and remember record information promptly take thorough, readable notes

What information is important? what happened at the scene anything a suspect said, word-for-word anything you and other officers did contact information for witnesses investigations you carried out, even if results were negative disposition of evidence and suspects

What else is important? Date, time, and location Serial numbers, makes, and models Victims, witnesses, and suspects Investigations and results Miranda rights Evidence Injuries

When do you need specificdetails? establishing probable cause describing people at the scene listing injuries explaining how you secured the crime scene providing a chain of custody for evidence

What tips are helpful for interviews? deal with emotions first provide privacy if possible ask for explanations for words and expressions you don’t understand (slang, foreign languages) use quotation marks to record the exact words spoken by a victim, witness, or suspect remember that hearsay is permissible in a police report

To Learn More:The Criminal Justice Report Writing Guide for Officers is available in softcover ($19.95) from www.Amazon.com and in a variety of ebook and Apple formats (Kindle, Nook, SONY etc.) for $11.99 from www.Smashwords.com. Read a free sample online!

Criminal Justice 3: Prepare to Write a Report

by Jean Reynolds

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