Just the Facts Investigative Report Writing

by Biggs, Michael

• ISBN13: 9780132132800
• ISBN10: 013213280X
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-18
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

JUST THE FACTS: INVESTIGATIVE REPORT WRITING, 4/ebrings together all the simple rules and techniques students need to write effective investigative reports in law enforcement. Its user-friendly methodology works in any context, with any crime, regardless of the case's complexity. Each chapter focuses on one major component of the report writing process, carefully building on what has already been learned. Coverage includes: police reporting philosophy, investigation basics, note taking, narrative writing, describing persons and property, crime and arrest reports, writing interviews and search warrants, and more. Each chapter includes a clear overview, key terms, summary, brief review, practical exercises, and a ten-question quiz. This edition contains two new chapters, additional exercises focused on condensing reports, convenient blank report forms, and a glossary.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 Why We Write Police Reports

CHAPTER 2 Investigation Basics

CHAPTER 3 Note Taking

CHAPTER 4 The Rules of Narrative Writing

CHAPTER 5 Describing Persons and Property

CHAPTER 6 Crime Reports

CHAPTER 7 Arrest Reports

CHAPTER 8 Writing the Interview

CHAPTER 9 Writing Search Warrants

CHAPTER 10 Issues in Writing

Appendix A

Appendix B

Glossary

Index