Additionally, the chapter examines the various purposes of law enforcement, security, corrections,

Larry Miller & John Whitehead: Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professionals, Sixth Edition

Chapter 1: The Why and How of Report Writing

Introduction Chapter 1 provides an understanding of why reports are written. Writing reports ensures the information will be available in the future and allows sharing of information with other people.Additionally, the chapter examines the various purposes of law enforcement, security, corrections, parole/probation, and forensic and scientific reports. The chapter also provides insight into effectively writing your report. The chapter concludes with a discussion pertaining to the documentation of evidence.Objectives •Why reports are written.•The operational and administrative purposes of the various types of reports.•The process of effectively writing a report.•Understand the importance of using a notebook in preparation for report writing.•Why legalese and old-fashioned terminology should not be used.•How to properly use abbreviations.•How sketches, photographs, and diagrams enhance reports.•Be able to identify the different types of evidence.•Understand what should be documented in regards to evidence.•The ABCs of report writing.Key Terms •Presentence Investigation Reports •Log •Notebook •Legalese •Evidence •Real Evidence •Direct Evidence •Circumstantial Evidence •Accuracy •Brevity •Completeness •Modus Operandi •Uniform Crime Report •National Incident- Based Reporting System •American Society for Industrial Security •Chain of Custody Discussion Points Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professionals, 6e Larry Miller, John Whitehead (Instructor Manual All Chapters, 100% Original Verified, A+ Grade) 1 / 4

•Discuss the negative consequences of a poorly written or incomplete report.•Discuss the security logs created in the classroom exercise. Did everyone follow the general guidelines provided in the book? Discuss why you should never log things in advance.•Discuss the importance of using fixed objects as a point of reference when drawing sketches.•How does the type of evidence collected vary from police, security, and probation/parole?•Click here to enter text.Classroom Exercises •Have students complete a security log based on the following information. The log is attached at the end of the document.You started your shift at 0800. The person going off shift, John Doe, gave you a set of keys and a two-way radio. At 0845, you conducted a walk around the perimeter. You noticed a large section of the chain link fence in your garden center was cut. At 0930, you conduct a safety meeting with the store management team. In the meeting you discuss the importance of making sure all the sidewalks and walkways are free of obstructions (water hoses, watering cans, plants) during the upcoming garden season. You also discuss the importance of stressing the importance of hydration to all workers as the temperature increases. At 1100, you observe someone in the tool section of the store that appears to be casing the area. You continue to observe the individual. At approximately 1115, another individual enters the same aisle. The original individual hands the second individual several drill bits. The second individual places the drill bits inside his jacket pocket. You observe the individuals leave the area via CCTV. You exit your office at approximately 1118 to continue observation as they approach checkout. They walk past customer service and exit the building. You make the apprehension of the two individuals at approximately 1125. You complete an incident report for the apprehension. You spend the next two hours interviewing the individuals and processing the paperwork. You release the individuals with a warning at the direction of your manager. After releasing the individuals, you take a lunch break from 1345 to 1445. When returning from lunch you walk the interior perimeter of the store. You discuss the importance of locking ladders when not in use with two associates. Additionally, you discuss the importance of team lifting large products with a group of associates. You spend the rest of your afternoon analyzing various store level reports for discrepancies. At 1700, you end your shift and give the keys and two-way radio to Sally Smith.•Have the students draw a sketch of a car accident using the following information.Main St runs in an east to west direction across the city. State Ave runs in a north to south direction. The road to the immediate east of State Ave is Mascot Ave. Car #1, a red Toyota Tacoma, was traveling east bound on Main St. Car # 2, a blue Honda Civic, was traveling north bound on State Ave. Car #1 failed to obey the traffic signal at the intersection of Main St and State Ave. Car #2 was struck by Car #1 as it crossed the intersection. The point of impact is the front driver’s side of Car #2 by the front of Car #1. The cars came to rest east of Main St 2 / 4

between State Ave and Mascot Ave. Car # 1 was facing in the east direction, and car #2 was sitting across the roadway partially blocking both lanes of traffic. The front of the car was facing the South.• Have students read the following sample report and identify the who, when, what, where, how, why, and conclusion elements.

SAMPLE REPORT

Accused: Smith, John (DOB: 1/2/83)

Address: 456 Apple Street, Hartford, CT 06114

Charges: 21a-279a(a)(1) – Possession <.5oz Marijuana

21a-267(d)(1) – Possession Paraphernalia <.5oz

While on patrol I observed a Toyota Camry bearing CT/123ABC traveling S/B on Alphabet Street in the area of Main Street. I observed the vehicle had dark tinted windows and did not have DMV tint inspection stickers affixed.Vehicle stopped on the Route 123 onramp from Main Street and the operator, John Smith, was advised of the reason for the stop. While speaking with Smith I detected a faint odor which I identified immediately as marijuana from my training and experience. Smith admitted that he had a small amount of marijuana and a “bowl” under his seat.Smith was asked to step out of the car to which he complied. A search of his person was negative for contraband. A search of the vehicle yielded a small glassine bag containing a green plant-like substance along with a glass smoking device with burnt marijuana residue underneath the driver’s seat. Additionally, a metal marijuana grinder was located in the center console.Contraband seized as evidence. Smith was issued the above stated infraction for the above stated offenses along with a verbal warning for 14-99g(g) – Failure to have tint inspection stickers.Plant substance was weighed (0.065oz before testing/0.060ox after testing) and tested (presumptive positive for the presence of marijuana (Duquenois-Levine Reagent)). Trace amounts of marijuana observed in both the smoking device and the metal grinder, however not enough to test.Seized items processed according to policy and placed in the evidence drop safe.Case closed.

Links/Videos • Additional information about crime scene sketches.

http://www.bcps.org/offices/science/secondary/forensic/Crimescene%20Sketch.pdf

• Example of a complete security log.http://www.startasecuritycompany.com/Sample_Daily_Log_Form.pdf 3 / 4

• What not to do when writing a police report.

http://www.slideshare.net/ballroom16/how-not-to-write-a-police-report

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