They might be boring but reports can make or break cases and even careers! How solid are yours? In this easy-to-read and (believe it or not!) enjoyable report-writing guide, expert Tampa PD Academy writing instructor Kimberly Clark teaches you to get reports flowing easily and in the right direction - avoid jumbled and confusing narratives - quickly spot key report contributors at the scene - focus on three basic but essential elements every report needs - use street slang wisely to get your point across and more. This book will have you writing air-tight, liability reducing reports in no time...and maybe even enjoying the process!

The manner in which criminal investigators are trained is neither uniform nor consistent, ranging from sophisticated training protocols in some departments to on-the-job experience alongside senior investigators in others. Ideal for students taking a first course in the subject as well as professionals in need of a refresher, Introduction to Criminal Investigation uses an accessible format to convey concepts in practical, concrete terms. Topics discussed include: The history of criminal investigation in Western society Qualifications for becoming an investigator, the selection process, and ideal training requirements Crime scene search techniques, including planning and post-search debriefing Preparing effective field notes and investigative reports Interviewing and interrogating Types of evidence found at the crime scene and how to collect, package, and preserve it The contributions of forensic science to criminal investigations and the equipment used in crime labs Investigative protocol for a range of crimes, including property crimes, auto theft, arson, financial crimes, homicide, assault, sex crimes, and robbery Specialized investigations, including drug trafficking, cybercrime, and gang-related crime Legal issues involved in criminal investigations and preparing a case for trial Bringing together contributions from law enforcement personnel, academics, and attorneys, the book combines practical and theoretical elements to provide a comprehensive examination of today‘s criminal investigative process. The accessible manner in which the information is conveyed makes this an ideal text for a wide-ranging audience.

With an emphasis on relevance, this book tailors English instruction to the needs of police training and law enforcement. Taking a building block approach, the first five chapters present English grammar and the last two chapters are devoted to the police report writing process. Each chapter includes practice and review exercises that are taken from the field and assignment material that is geared to law enforcement interests. This edition features sample reports, sample forms and "war stories" that help students see how grammar and writing skills are used in their profession.

This is the book you have been looking for, with samples to show you exactly how police reports should look. Police report writing can be difficult. It is boring, tedious and time consuming and difficult to learn. This book breaks down an investigation and interviews into segments. Then shows you how to incorporate details into those segments. Finally how to put those segments together into an easy to organize, easy to write, easy to read police report. You will learn how to observe your crime scene, speak to people, weed out the useless and properly document the important ones. You will learn how to get the blood, shell casings from the ground and onto a piece of paper. Simply, quickly, efficiently. -- From publisher's description.

JUST THE FACTS: INVESTIGATIVE REPORT WRITING, 4/e brings 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: investigation basics, note taking, narrative writing, describing persons and property, crime and arrest reports, writing interviews and search warrants, and more. This edition's extensive updates include: more coverage of narrative writing rules, supported by more exercises; new coverage of digital evidence; and more search warrant examples — all presented in an attractive, accessible new design. Every chapter includes a clear overview, key terms, summary, brief review, practical exercises, and a ten-question quiz. This edition contains convenient blank report forms, practical exercises on condensing reports and choosing more effective language; and a fully-updated glossary.

This manual offers guidelines for writing at all levels of law enforcement. It teaches and give practice using guidelines for producing professional reports that reflect positively on the writer. It is designed to be equally effective for individual study by working law enforcement officers or for course work by police science students. It presents the general features of law enforcement reports and the steps in producing them. Also covered are principles of clear writing, grammar, spelling and punctuation. Although the manual focuses on investigative reports, the principles of effective writing apply to any written work.