i. In some cases, you may want to use a stenographer or a recorder.
If the
stenographer speaks both languages, he should record all the statements made in
both languages. If an electronic recording device is available, it should be used
wherever possible. Such a device affords a permanent record of the questioning in
both languages.
Such record is a means of cross-checking the accuracy and
faithfulness of the translation.
j. The interpreter should be told to make his translation of long statements at
regular and convenient pauses during the subject's statements.
The interruptions
must come at the end of complete thoughts.
This procedure may be hard if the
subject is allowed to give long versions of his information. Therefore, questions
that require long explanations and invite digressions should be avoided.
PART M - WRITTEN STATEMENTS.
1. GENERAL.
Written statements serve as permanent records of the pretrial testimony of
suspects, victims, complainants, and witnesses.
Such statements may be used in
court as evidence attesting to what was told the investigator. They may serve also
to refresh the memory of the maker of the statement or the memory of the
investigator.
2. PREPARATION.
a. The heading of each DA Form 2823 is completed by listing the location at
which the statement is made, the date and time it was signed, and the name, SSN,
grade/rank, organization or address of the maker of the statement.
b. The statement or body of the statement is generally recorded using one of
three accepted methods: narrative, question and answer, or a combination.
c. The narrative method allows the interviewee/person giving the statement to
record the information in his own words. This is ideal if he can express himself
and doesn't compile a mass of irrelevant information. The narrative is used more
often with a complainant or witness than with a victim or suspect.
d. In the question and answer method, the investigator/interrogator can limit
the information present to that which is pertinent.
Two disadvantages of using
this method are: it is time-consuming for the investigator/interrogator; it may
suppress some valuable information that might have been volunteered otherwise.
e. A combination of the above two methods normally gives the best results. The
person being questioned is first allowed to express himself.
Then the
investigator/interrogator asks for specific information the person omitted.
This
method or the question and answer method is most often used when taking a statement
from an accused or a suspect.
MP0018
1-28
Previous Page
