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Criminal Investigation: Field Notes and Investigating Reporting
Criminal Investigation: Field Notes and Investigating Reporting
FIVE
Field Notes and Investigating Reporting
eighth edition
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand the importance of field notes Distinguish between basic and primary investigative questions List the six primary investigative questions Understand formats for basic incident reports Discuss aids to information gathering Summarize the report approval and disposition processes List elements common to incident reports Explain techniques involved in writing effective reports
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INCIDENT REPORT
While the exact layout for incident reports typically varies from one jurisdiction to another, they all have a face with blanks into which the officer conducting the preliminary investigation enters basic case information.
Suspects: Additional information about suspects. Witnesses: Information from witnesses, including their descriptions of events and things as they experienced them through their four senses. Evidence: The evidence seized, how it was marked, the chain of custody, and numbers assigned by the property or evidence control room is recorded. Interviews: All persons with whom the investigator talked during the course of the inquire should be identified, even if they could not provide information at the initial contact. Investigation: A short description of the crime scene may be given to permit a basic conceptualization of it by persons to whom it is unfamiliar. Reconstruction: The reconstruction is a narration of the probably manner in which the crime was committed.
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NIBRS
The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), is administered by the FBI Its format allows for much more data about an offense to be gathered Data gathered allows police to look for relationships between:
Victims and offenders drugs/alcohol and crime
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ASSORTED HANDGUNS
Another valuable aid for investigators is the handgun identification chart such as the one shown. This is a useful tool for witnesses who are unfamiliar with guns.
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REPORT APPROVAL AND DISPOSITION PROCESS Police reports are subject to supervisory review for corrections and guidance before their final disposition Well written reports are very helpful to investigators who may be conducting followup investigations at a later date
Officer sends/gives Incident Report to supervisor Supervisor reviews report
Approves/Signs report
Makes disposition
Unfounded
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COMMON ELEMENTS OF INCIDENT REPORTS Race, Ethnicity and Sex Age Physical and Email Addresses Telephone/Pager/Wireless Numbers Personal Descriptions Property Description Occupation Value Date Time
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SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTS
Supplemental reports are written to:
Document new or corrected information Document specific acts or accomplishments, such as the issuance of a warrant, arrest of a suspect, or the recovery of property Unfound an offense Exceptionally clear an offense Inactivate a case Should be written every 10 days
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