Note Taking
Crim. B50
Bakersfield College
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
Next Week
Write a short response to Scenarios:
1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Pages 31 – 38.