1. Note Taking Crim. B50 Bakersfield College

2. Note Taking Notes are brief notations which document specific events and circumstances. It is critical that you take accurate and comprehensive notes. If you do not, a case may be lost. Notes are used for preparing your reports for court use. NOTES: Provide the basis for report writing Reduce the need to re-contact the parties involved Provide greater accuracy than memory alone Provide the basis of documentation and credibility for court purposes May be subpoenaed to court

3. Note Taking WHEN DO YOU TAKE NOTES? At the scene of an incident or event At interviews Whenever you wish to record statements of facts that relate to an incident or event for inclusion in your report Anytime to help you remember details at a later time

4. Use of Notes Basis for Report Writing When you write or dictate an incident report, you will fill out a form used for the purpose, and which requires certain information to be filled out in each blank. These reports, also called crime information reports, may be written or computerized. Well-taken notes, complete with sketches and measurements as appropriate, provide you with the detailed information that you will need to have in order to accurately complete your reports

5. Use of Notes Reduce the Need to Re-contact the Parties Involved Good, complete notes contain enough information to answer any pertinent questions about the incident or the people involved. Such notes makes the officer more efficient. There will be less need to pay a return to the interviewee to fill in missing details of the crime report

6. Use of Notes More Reliable than your Memory Notes provide greater accuracy than memory alone. When properly written you can be certain who said what to you, and when they said it. Notes improve the accuracy of your reports. Your notes provide a point of reference for you in case there is a serious question about any facts that appear in your crime information report.

7. Note Taking Techniques Be systematic in your approach. The method introduced here is the three-step process. You should practice these steps when interviewing suspects, witnesses, complainants, and informants.

8. 3 Step Approach to Interviews Step 1- Listen Attentively Have the subject describe the incident or event. Determine the location of the incident for purposes of jurisdiction. Keep the subject on tract through verbal and non-verbal methods. Don’t take any notes yet.

9. 3 Step Approach to Interviews Step 1 Continued Use Verbal Response If the subject digresses, say “You mentioned….before. Let’s go back to that.” If necessary, ask direct questions to keep the interview on tract Use of Non-Verbal Response Your non-verbal response should include maintaining eye contact and nodding your head as the subject makes points or statements.

10. 3 Step Approach to Interviews Step 1 Continued Establish the Subjects Honesty Ask “cross-check” questions by approaching a topic from different angles. Look for the following indicators of lying: Excessive, nervous talking Discrepancies in details Avoidance of eye contact Changes in the subject’s body language Excessive perspiration Unusual behavioral changes when you ask a pointed question Obvious omission or lack of normal emotional reactions to pointed questions

11. 3 Step Approach to Interviews Step 2- Story Repeated While You Take Notes First write down all necessary identifying information. Then have the subject tell the story while you take notes. Stop the subject, if necessary, to ask questions, clarify points, gather descriptions and specific details, or to give more direction in your questions. Be neat and accurate Put the date and time on all notes Start each sheet with identifying information Start a new page for each incident Take notes chronologically Take complete notes at the time of the event if possible

12. 3 Step Approach to Interviews Step 3- Read Back Your Notes Repeat the specifics to the subject to double check for accuracy. Get confirmation from the subject for important details: Direct quotes Time relationships Information on weapons Physical descriptions

13. 3 Step Approach to Interviews Step 3 Continued Allow the subject to correct mistakes or misinterpretations and add any forgotten information. Remember, these are your notes but the subject’s story. Accuracy depends on the consistency between what you were told and what was recorded.

14. Next Week Write a short response to Scenarios: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Pages 31 – 38.