To investigate, it is necessary to complete some form that has the pertinent information and serves as the basic platform to kick off the investigation. Law enforcement uses a crime or incident report. Nearly every agency, public or private has some form to initiate an investigation and serves to start an investigation. This form authorizes the agency to investigate the incident.
Incident Report
The Incident Report should include the victim, person reporting and suspect information with contact data like phone numbers and address. A business can be a victim; therefore the person reporting is a representative of the company or individual. Another aspect is time. Earliest Time Possible and Latest Time Possible (usually the date and time of discovery) and date and time reported. If property is involved there will be a list of property affected with description and identifying serial numbers or markings, stolen or destroyed or broken. A narrative will describe the pertinent information reporting the discovery of the crime and a description of the crime scene. Some reports have synopsis to introduce the incident followed by the narrative and concluding with a summary of findings. This streamlines the reports for high volume investigative agencies like law enforcement.
Background Checks
For Background Checks, a background request with relevant information and privacy waivers are included. Privacy waivers signed by applicant allows the investigator to get information that otherwise would fall under privacy statutes. A background check is a voluntary action by the applicant and there are certain authorized invasive procedures granted by the applicant.
Officer’s/Investigator’s Reports
Officer’s/Investigator’s reports are written to document the progress in the investigation. A list of agency personnel, possible suspects and witnesses are listed, again the usual format includes a synopsis, narrative and summary format. Speculation and conceptualization are sometimes included while other agencies would include a Memo to File. A Memo to File is used to document notes, to-do list, follow-up items and speculative ideas for consideration by associates.
Interview Notes & Witness Statements
The FBI uses a FD-302 to summarize their notes taken during an interview by a non-primary agent. It includes information taken from a subject rather information about the subject. There is considerable controversy on this form as the interview is not recorded and depends on the agent’s notes, recall, interpretation of the interview and any bias or prejudice of the agent. A voluntary statement is completed by a witness usually at the scene. An Interview or Interrogation Report is taken during a formal interview are recorded on some type of statement form.
Other Private Investigator Forms
Other forms utilized by the private and public investigators are expense reports including confidential informant payments and travel expenses. It is best that the investigator uses a separate case related notebook for that case only as notes are subject to ‘discovery’ and can be entered as evidence. The investigator would not want personal information or notes that may compromise other investigations entered into the court record.
Private Investigator & Security Services in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Miami Gardens Florida
The justice system is dependent on an extensive flow of paperwork and reports. Whether electronic or printed the courts accept and issue an unending amount of court documents, reports and printed material. Indeed nearly every police investigation demands multiple, at least three copies. Investigator’s file, records file and prosecutor’s file. And eventually the defense gets copies of the file making four copies made. Electronic files are cheaper, easier and more efficient, but at least will be duplicated at least four times if the incident is submitted to the courts. This will also apply to any civil cases submitted by the private investigator. If you are involved as a victim, defendant or investigator remember “the job ain’t done until the paperwork is finished.” Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami FL
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