Page 74 - 2023 CIDI Notebook
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4. Write the report
o Always, always have someone check over your report before you send
it out.
o Spellcheck is a must.
o Third person, past tense:
o (Mrs. Jones stated the red car “blew through the stop sign.” )
o Never speculate. Never jump to conclusions.
o It’s okay to quote the interviewee.
o You, the investigator, must be nearly invisible. The reader must not
know the sex of the investigator- you are always and only ‘the
investigator.’
o Summarize, not transcribe
o Make sure you have page numbers in your footer.
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The importance of Body Language
Cannot use body language directly in reports or testifying,
unless you are certified or recognized as an expert witness.
Use body language to develop intelligence for other
questions and other leads for more information.
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