Field Notes

Information to Record in Field Notes

1. Complete information on victims, witnesses, and suspects involved

1. First, middle, and last names

2. Be sure to include titles (e.g., Junior, Jr., II, III)

3. Contact information

(1) Phone number(s)

(a) Home

(b) Cell

(c) Work

(d) If the person does not have a phone, get the phone number of a relative, friend, or co-worker

(2) Complete address

(3) Place of employment

1. Social Security Number (SSN)

2. Date of birth (DOB) and age

3. Full description (e.g., gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, clothing) is especially important when other identification information is not available

2. Date and time of offense or incident being reported

1. Date and time of incident taking place

2. Date and time of report of the incident

3. Date and time of response

4. Date and time of any follow-up activities

3. Location of occurrence

1. Be as specific as possible

2. When possible, use an address

4. Type of place where offense or incident took place

1. Parking lot

2. Apartment number

3. Factory

4. Hospital

5. Street

6. Sidewalk

7. School

8. Restaurant

9. Residence

10. Other

5. Details of offense or incident being reported

1. Who, what, when, where, why, how

2. If a crime is being reported, be sure to record factual information and ask follow-up questions as needed

6. Disposition of evidence, property, and subjects

1. Evidence collected?

2. Property returned to owner?

3. Subject identified or still at large?

4. Subject detained or released?

5. Subject arrested?

6. Transports of other person involved (e.g., hospital, mechanic shop)?

7. All victims/witnesses identified and interviewed?

7. Other important information

1. Weather and lighting conditions, if applicable

2. Notifications made (e.g., supervisors)

8. Corresponding report number

1. Identifies field note with incident report

Davis, J. N. (1998). Report writing concepts for peace officers. San Clemente, CA: LawTech

Pub. Co.