Just the Facts Investigative Report Writing

Just the Facts: Investigative Report Writing can be used for all courses in law enforcement report writing in any criminal justice program. It is also a suitable reference for investigators.

Just the Facts brings together all the simple rules and techniques students need to write effective investigative reports in law enforcement. Its user-friendly methodology works in any context, with any crime, regardless of the case’s complexity. Each chapter focuses on one major component of the report writing process, carefully building on what has already been learned. Coverage includes: investigation basics, note taking, narrative writing, describing persons and property, crime and arrest reports, writing interviews and search warrants, and more.

Updated with new Learning Objectives, writing exercises, and expanded content the Fifth Edition retains its focus on consistency, simplicity, and thoroughness in documenting the results of an investigation.

Preface¿ ix
Acknowledgments¿ x
1. Investigation Basics
Role of an Investigative Report
Who Is an Investigator?¿
What Is an Investigation?¿
When Does an Investigation Occur?¿
Administrative Investigations¿
The Steps in Initiating an Investigation¿
The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Investigations¿
The Qualities of a Superior Investigator
The Average Person Test
Reasonable Particularity¿¿¿¿¿
2. The Rules of Narrative Writing
The First Rule of Narrative Writing–First Person
The Second Rule of Narrative Writing–Past Tense
The Third Rule of Narrative Writing–Active Voice
The Fourth Rule of Narrative Writing–Chronological Order
The Fifth Rule of Narrative Writing–Short, Clear, Concise, and Concrete Words¿
Other Writing Considerations
3. Note Taking
The Importance of Field Notes
Basic Uses of Field Notes
The Mechanics of Note Taking
Types of Notebooks
Accessing the Information
What Should Be Included
Recording Notes
4. Describing Persons and Property
Categorizing People for a Report
Assessing Weights and Measurements
Interviewing for Suspect Descriptions
Describing Property in a Report
The Average Person Test
Photos and Sketches
Determining Property Value
Writing Evidence Reports
Describing Evidence
Evidence Report Formats
Establishing the Chain of Custody
5. Crime Reports
Purpose of a Crime Report
Completing Crime Reports
Supplemental Reports
6. Arrest Reports
Documenting the Arrest
Arrest Report Styles
Completing the Arrest Report
Report Formats
7. Writing the Interview
The Purpose of the Interview
Preparing for the Interview
Conducting the Interview
Writing the Interview
8. Writing Search Warrants
Search Warrants
The Warrant Process
How to Write a Warrant
Writing the Affidavit
Including Expert Opinions
The Return to the Warrant
9. Issues in Writing¿
Record Management Systems
Need for Effective Report Writing
Fact or Opinion?¿
When Opinions Are Appropriate¿
Documenting Responses to Miranda Rights¿
Eye Witness Identifications
Documenting Field Show Ups¿
Eyewitness Identifications
Reader Use Conflict¿
The Approval Process
¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿
¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ Glossary¿
¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ Index¿

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