that the search be done. Failure to note evidence or to take proper action in a
large area is as damaging to the investigation as it would be in a small room.
(5) It may be well to search some distance beyond the immediate crime scene.
Evidence may indicate that the criminal disposed of an item of evidence at some
distance from the scene. If this is the case, more MPs should be called to aid in
the search. All personnel involved must be thoroughly briefed.
PART D - INVESTIGATIVE NOTES.
Any MP on routine patrol or investigative duty, must consider notetaking necessary
in a professional duty performance. Prompt recording of all information regarding
an incident, accident, or crime serves to help him to recall pertinent details.
a. Type of Notebook.
The notebook should be one carried easily in a pocket.
Local policy will govern whether the bound or looseleaf notebook is used. It may
be left to the discretion of the person.
Each type has its advantages and
disadvantages.
(1) The looseleaf notebook's pages can be easily removed for filing.
Such
removal can occur after the notes on a certain case have been completed and proper
reports done.
However, the ease with which they may be removed is also the main
disadvantage.
Pages may become accidentally detached and lost.
Also, a legal
courtroom objection may arise.
The court may claim that certain notes may have
been deleted. Or they may claim notes have been changed just by removing a certain
page or by substituting another.
(2) In a bound notebook, notes remain intact; the pages normally cannot be
lost; and any removal of pages is noticed. If the notes are needed in court, notes
of other cases may be compromised if they are kept in the same notebook. The use
of a bound notebook may mean the use of a separate one for each incident or
investigation.
b. Investigative notes are used later in recalling places, events, incidents,
and other pertinent facts. They should contain information pertinent only to that
one investigation. All notes of a personal nature, extra information, or personal
opinions are to be omitted.
Investigative notes are the property of the US
government. They are filed with the case upon completion of the investigation.
(1) Notes should be accurate, complete, and legible.
Other investigators or
MPs may need the notes to continue the investigation.
Therefore, the use of
shorthand or abbreviated writing techniques should be avoided.
Short phrases or
complete sentences should be used.
Only authorized and commonly used and
understood abbreviations should be used. If a mistake is made in the notes, line
out the error and initial.
This keeps anyone from claiming that the notes were
changed. No erasures.
2-5
MP0018
Previous Page
