Principles of investigative documentation / by Philip Becnel, Scott J. Krischke, Alexandra K. Becnel.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Becnel, Philip, author.

Krischke, Scott James, author.

Becnel, Alexandra K., author.

Contributor:

ProQuest ebook central

Class of 1932 Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Criminal investigation.

Documentation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xx, 244 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

Springfield, Illinois : Charles C Thomas, Publisher, LTD., 2024.

Contents:

Intro

PRINCIPLES OF INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTATION

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CONTENTS

Part I OVERVIEW

Chapter 1 FIVE PRINCIPLES OF INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTATION

1. Take notes about everything.

2. Document every effort to contact a witness and all surveillance in your running resume.

3. Prepare a report when there is any possibility you may testify.

4. Take verbatim statements or audio recordings from hostile or unhelpful witnesses

Get declarations from friendly witnesses.

5. Provide all case documents to the client at the conclusion of the case-or have a document retention policy that decrees the maintenance of most records for at least five years.

Chapter 2 MISCONCEPTIONS RELATED TO DOCUMENTATION

Myth: Grammatical and other non-substantive mistakes do not matter in reports.

Myth: Reports are objective.

Myth: It is better not to document an investigation than to risk the documents becoming discoverable.

Myth: Email is a sufficient means of documenting an investigation.

Myth: Digital media do not require additional documentation.

Chapter 3 RACIAL AND GENDER IDENTITY IN YOUR REPORTS

1. Consider the source.

2. Confront biases and assumptions.

3. Race and ethnicity.

4. Gender and sexuality.

Part II LEGAL ISSUES WHEN DOCUMENTING AN INVESTIGATION

Chapter 4 CONFIDENTIALITY AND ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE

1. What is confidentiality?

2. What is attorney-client privilege?

3. What is the work product doctrine?

4. Are there other protections outside of these three legal doctrines?

Chapter 5 HEARSAY

1. What is hearsay?

2. Literally anything someone tells you could end up being a prior inconsistent statement.

3. Recorded recollections.

4. "He uttered excitedly, 'Greg shot him!'"

5. Other exceptions and stuff to know.

Chapter 6 REAL EVIDENCE

1. You have a duty to preserve evidence.

2. How to handle real evidence.

3. Documentary evidence.

4. Preserving real evidence that is digital.

Part III DOCUMENTING IN PRACTICE

Chapter 7 NOTETAKING

1. Always bring along at least two pens and a clean legal pad.

2. Learn to listen and observe first, and then take notes afterward.

3. Think proactively and ask the right questions.

4. Develop your own system for abbreviations.

5. Review your notes immediately after the activity.

Chapter 8 RUNNING RESUMES

1. Add a notation to the running resume for all interviews, attempted interviews, and surveillance.

2. Update your running resume daily.

3. Include identifiable details in your updates.

4. Send updates to clients when you complete a task successfully or when you definitively fail.

Chapter 9 REPORTS

Notes:

Includes index.

Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI Available via World Wide Web.

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on February 23, 2024).

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Class of 1932 Fund.

Other Format:

Print version: Becnel, Philip. Principles of investigative documentation

ISBN:

9780398094393

039809439X

Publisher Number:

99996169051

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.