Note Taking & Report Writing Flashcards
What is observational skills?
Describe what you see, smell or hear, but do not assume what the cause is.
It is a surfer your notes to hold up in a court of law. Your testimony is only as strong as your notebook.
What are the legal requirements for a notebook?
All pages must be numbered with numbers on the bottom right hand side.
A margin on the left-hand side of the page.
Use a bound notebook rather than looseleaf.
What do you record in a notebook? (7)
1) Entries at the start of shift in left-hand margin
2) Name, title and unit
3) date and time
4) weather conditions
5) description of observations and event
6) descriptions of site
7) sketches
How do you scene sketch in your notes?
They should include the following:
Case identifier
Date, time and location
Distance between objects
Measurements showing location of evidence
Key, legend, compass orientation, scale
What are the three Rs when testify?
1) review
2) read
3) remember
Identify the significance/importance of report writing.
Your reports are compilation of documents, which includes notes, evidence, and decisions you have made.
Report writing also reflect your competencies as an investigator. 
What is the CAR strategy?
Concentration – focus on a single thing at a time, tuning other things out
Association – relating something new to something that is already fixed in your memory
Repetition – the more you repeat something the more likely you will remember it 
What are the legal considerations for your notebook when it comes to who can use them?
Both the prosecutor and defence can use your notes.
What are the notebook guidelines? (11) AA CCC LMNN PR
1) accurate
2) all pages intact
3) concise
4) complete
5 ) chronological order
6) Legible
7) made in ink
8) no abbreviations
9) no blank lines
10) proper technique
11) Relevant facts
What is the definition of observation?
An act or instance of notice or perceiving
An act or instance of regarding attentively or watching
What are the three steps in observation?
1) noticing – becoming aware of something with your five senses
2) interpreting – organizing the information into something meaningful
3) recalling remembering the information and being able to access it
What is the purpose of a notebook? (2)
To aid in recalling details
And investigative aid
What is the importance of a notebook? (3)
Assist in recounting details that are difficult to remember
Can capture details that seem routine, but become important later
Legally, you need them to make statements
Why are notes useful? (5) PD RRR
1) preserve circumstances/information
2) draw conclusions and make recommendations
3) record investigative process
4) record statements of witnesses
5) refresh one’s memory
How long do you keep notebooks for?
If contains and just personal information – 1 year
It contains information of investigation - 2 years
Government policy – 7 years
