Report Writing 1

Question 1

PURPOSE AND USE OF FIELD NOTES CORE. 1 0 1 0 . 1 0 1

Answer 1

♦ Field notes often contain information not detailed in a report
♦ Field notes provide a basis for building a report
♦ Field notes may be subpoenaed into court by both defense and prosecution
♦ Field notes must be legible and organized

Question 2

USE OF INVEST IGAT IVE REPORTS CORE. 1 0 1 0 . 1 0 4

Answer 2

♦ Immediate supervisors and field training officers
♦ Detectives/investigators
♦ Representatives of other law enforcement agencies
♦ Prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other attorneys
♦ Parole, probation, and corrections personnel
♦ Involved parties
♦ Media representatives
♦ Insurance agencies

Question 3

♦ Brady vs. Maryland 373 U.S. 83 (1963)
• The Brady case was decided in 1963 and requires that all evidence be
turned over to the suspect’s defense for examination. During this case,
information was withheld from the criminal defendant that the Supreme
Court held as material to both guilt and punishment.
• This case in recent years has been cited by recent court decisions (Haney
v. City of Los Angeles, 2003) to further include officers reports (in this
case false daily logs) containing false information and the effect of future
credibility when testifying under oath
♦ Giglio vs. United States 405 U.S. 150 (1972)
• The Supreme Court extended the obligation to share exculpatory
information with the defendant to include information concerning the
credibility of government witnesses

Answer 3

♦ Brady vs. Maryland 373 U.S. 83 (1963)
• The Brady case was decided in 1963 and requires that all evidence be
turned over to the suspect’s defense for examination. During this case,
information was withheld from the criminal defendant that the Supreme
Court held as material to both guilt and punishment.
• This case in recent years has been cited by recent court decisions (Haney
v. City of Los Angeles, 2003) to further include officers reports (in this
case false daily logs) containing false information and the effect of future
credibility when testifying under oath
♦ Giglio vs. United States 405 U.S. 150 (1972)
• The Supreme Court extended the obligation to share exculpatory
information with the defendant to include information concerning the
credibility of government witnesses
♦ Summary
• Since 1963, a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions has clarified that, in
a criminal case, prosecutors must disclose favorable evidence to the
criminal defendant
• This includes information that may be used to impeach the credibility of
government witnesses, including law enforcement officers. These
decisions mean that officers who have documented histories of lying in
official matters, falsifying reports, or expressing bias may become even
greater liabilities to their agencies because their records may render them
unable to testify credibly and, consequently, unable to work effectively as
law enforcement officers.