L3 – Unit 2-3: Essential information
Essential information for field notes necessary to complete a report:
Who — Persons involved and their roles (suspect, victim, witness)
- Gather all contact information (Phone numbers, emails, etc.)
- What was the persons role in the incident? (suspect, victim, witness)
- Gather a physical description of the person
- Age and Date of Birth
- Sex and Race
- Height and Weight
- Clothing description (Suspect)
- Note identification numbers (DL, School ID, Social)
What — Type of offense, property involved, statements, actions, means of travel, entry, etc.
- What happened
- Only gather facts NOT Opinions
- Start at the beginning and gather as much detail up to the end of the incident
- Gather as much information as possible
- What offense or type of incident has occurred
- What type of property, if any, is involved
- Where are statements made
- Was there a vehicle or other type of transportation used
When — Dates and times
- Not just the date and time of the incident
- When was the incident reported
- When was the incident discovered
- When was evidence located
- When were owners/victims and witnesses contacted
- When was the suspect last seen or located
- when was law enforcement notified and when did they arrive
- What time was an arrest made or suspect detained
Where — Exact locations, reference points, type and proximity
- This includes more that the overall address
- Exactly where did the incident occur?
- Ex: Main building, in the Northeast corner of room 1oo located on the 1st floor
- What type of area (parking lot, warehouse, office, residence, etc.)
- Location of suspects, witnesses and/or victims.
Why — Evidence or statements supporting probable cause or motive
- This may be difficult to answer unless the suspect makes a statement
- This would be used by law enforcement to establish elements of a crime
How — How the offense occurred and how did the persons involved came to become participants
- Use witness statements to describe the events of the incident.
- Do not draw conclusions or make judgements
Who, What, Where, When and How video – YouTube