CFA Communication & Report Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When documenting observations in a field report, which tense should be used?
- Future tense to indicate planned actions
- Past tense to record what was observed (Correct answer)
- Present tense to make findings feel immediate
- Subjunctive tense to express uncertainty
Correct answer: Past tense to record what was observed
Field reports document completed observations, so past tense is the standard and professional convention.
Question 2: A field agent's report contains the phrase 'the subject seemed nervous.' What is the primary problem with this wording?
- It is too short and needs elaboration
- It uses first-person perspective
- It is subjective and not based on documented observable behavior (Correct answer)
- It does not include a timestamp
Correct answer: It is subjective and not based on documented observable behavior
'Seemed nervous' is an interpretation; the report should instead describe specific observable behaviors such as 'subject's hands were trembling and eyes averted.'
Question 3: Which element is most critical to include when reporting a witness interview in writing?
- The witness's political affiliation
- Verbatim quotes alongside the agent's paraphrased summary (Correct answer)
- The agent's opinion of whether the witness was truthful
- The witness's social media handles
Correct answer: Verbatim quotes alongside the agent's paraphrased summary
Including both direct quotes and a paraphrased summary ensures accuracy and context while preserving the witness's own words.
Question 4: What does the acronym 'BLUF' stand for in professional report writing?
- Background, Logic, Understanding, Facts
- Bottom Line Up Front (Correct answer)
- Brief, Logical, Unified Format
- Basic Layout for Uniform Filing
Correct answer: Bottom Line Up Front
BLUF means Bottom Line Up Front, a communication technique where the most important finding or conclusion is stated at the beginning of the report.
Question 5: An agent must relay urgent field findings to a supervisor who is currently in a meeting. What is the most appropriate initial communication method?
- Wait until the supervisor exits the meeting to submit a written report
- Send a brief text or encrypted message flagged urgent, then follow up with a full report (Correct answer)
- Contact the supervisor's assistant and leave a detailed verbal message
- Post the findings to the shared case file and assume the supervisor will check it
Correct answer: Send a brief text or encrypted message flagged urgent, then follow up with a full report
Urgent findings require immediate notification via the fastest secure channel, followed by formal written documentation.
Question 6: In a CFA written report, what is the purpose of an 'executive summary'?
- To provide the full chronological narrative of the investigation
- To list all evidence items collected during the investigation
- To give a concise overview of key findings for readers who need a quick briefing (Correct answer)
- To document chain-of-custody information for physical evidence
Correct answer: To give a concise overview of key findings for readers who need a quick briefing
An executive summary condenses the most important findings so decision-makers can quickly grasp the essence of the report without reading every detail.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes 'active voice' in report writing?
- The subject of the sentence performs the action (Correct answer)
- The sentence contains emotionally charged language
- The verb is always in present tense
- The writer uses first-person perspective throughout
Correct answer: The subject of the sentence performs the action
Active voice means the subject performs the action (e.g., 'The agent observed the vehicle'), making reports clearer and more direct than passive constructions.
CFA Communication & Report Writing 2
When documenting observations in a field report, which tense should be used?