Page 105 - 2023 CIDI Notebook

Civil & Criminal Investigations

Prepare…Go to the Scene

Do your own photographs, diagrams and
measurements
Your own documentation is the best documentation
You may need to report or testify on your findings
You may find contradicting information, such as:
measurements, obstructions, clearances,
undocumented evidence, etc.
Your findings may be consistent with, or differ from,
those previously reported – document this

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Prepare…for Interviews
What are your goals in the interview?
Witness accounts and unreported information
Secure a supporting or negative statement
Determine if reports and discovery are
accurate
Clips, quotes, etc. prepared for interviews
This may refresh their memory, enlighten
them to how their information relates to the
events, and show them that you are
professional and prepared

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Prepare…an Outline and Questions for
Interviews
Include your client, victims, witnesses, etc.
It is not necessary (or recommended) that you have
detailed prepared questions at the interview
This will seem that you are reading a script and
just going through the motions
Have a ‘conversation’ and follow where it goes,
maintaining control of the interview
Refer to these notes or outlines as necessary and
before concluding the interview

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