Just the facts : investigative report writing / Michael Biggs.
"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." - amazon.com
Record details
- ISBN: 9780133591309
- ISBN: 0133591301
- Physical Description: xi, 148 pages : illustrations ; 27 cm
- Edition: Fifth Edition.
- Publisher: Boston : Pearson, [2016]
Content descriptions
General Note: | Includes index. |
Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Formatted Contents Note: | Investigation basics -- The rules of narrative writing -- Note taking -- Describing persons and property -- Crime reports -- Arrest reports -- Writing the interview -- Writing search warrants - Issues in writing. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Police reports > Handbooks, manuals, etc. Report writing > Handbooks, manuals, etc. Criminal investigation > Handbooks, manuals, etc. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Kirtland Community College.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kirtland Community College Library | HV 7936 .R53 B54 2016 | 30775305540651 | General Collection | Available | - |
Just the Facts : Investigative Report Writing
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Table of Contents
Just the Facts : Investigative Report Writing
Section | Section Description | Page Number |
---|---|---|
Preface | p. ix | |
Acknowledgments | p. 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 |