NCJ Number
65993
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS TRAINING KEY DESCRIBES THE PRINCIPLES OF WRITING EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS, HOW TO PREPARE AND WRITE THE REPORT, AND THE CATEGORIES TO USE TO INDICATE THE INVESTIGATION STATUS.
Abstract
BECAUSE THE OFFENSE REPORT IS SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW, NOT STUDY, BREVITY IS ESSENTIAL. OFFICERS SHOULD INCLUDE ALL MEANINGFUL DETAILS OF THE CASE IN A FEW WORDS AND WRITE COMPLETE REPORTS THAT INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT FACTS PRESENTED IN ORDER. ACCURATE REPORTING THAT DISTINGUISHES FACTS FROM FROM HEARSAY ACCOUNTS AND AN OBJECTIVE PRESENTATION ARE ALSO IMPORTANT. POLICE REPORTS SHOULD BE HANDWRITTEN SINCE SUCH REPORTS ARE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE, ARE FREER OF ERRORS, AND REDUCE THE NEED TO TRAVEL TO POLICE HEADQUARTERS. ITEMS OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION INCLUDE PRELIMINARY INFORMATION, WITNESS INFORMATION, PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, AND MODUS OPERANDI. INTERVIEWING REQUIRES BOTH COMMUNICATIVE AND INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS AND THE OFFICER MUST DISTINGUISH BETWEEN ITEMS THAT ARE KNOWN AND VERIFIED AND THOSE THAT ARE BASED ON THE JUDGMENT OF OTHERS OR OF THE INTERVIEWING OFFICER. WHEN WRITING THE NARRATIVE REPORT SECTION, THE OFFICER SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH BOTH PRESENTATION AND DICTION (CHOICE AND USE OF WORDS). UNNECESSARY OR ELABORATE WORDS SHOULD BE AVOIDED AND USE OF SIMPLE SPECIFIC TERMS, THE ACTIVE VOICE, AND SHORT SIMPLE SENTENCES SHOULD BE PRACTICED. IN DETERMINING THE INVESTIGATION STATUS, OFFICERS SHOULD USE THE CATEGORIES OF OPEN, FOR AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION, SUSPENDED, FOR AN UNSOLVED CASE IN WHICH ALL LOGICAL INVESTIGATIVE MEANS ARE EXHAUSTED, AND CLOSED, FOR COMPLETED NONCRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS. AN OFFENSE FORM, A DISCUSSION GUIDE, AND QUESTIONS ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)