IPAT Report Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When completing a witness statement form, which of the following should be avoided?
- Using abbreviations and slang that may not be understood by all readers (Correct answer)
- Including the witness's full name and contact details
- Recording the date and time of the statement
- Noting the witness's relationship to the parties involved
Correct answer: Using abbreviations and slang that may not be understood by all readers
Abbreviations and slang can cause confusion and misinterpretation. Reports should use clear, standard language that can be understood by anyone who reads them, including judges, barristers, and jury members.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a scene sketch in a Garda report?
- To provide a visual representation of the scene showing positions of persons, vehicles, evidence, and other relevant features (Correct answer)
- To demonstrate the officer's artistic ability
- To replace the need for photographs
- To entertain the reader of the report
Correct answer: To provide a visual representation of the scene showing positions of persons, vehicles, evidence, and other relevant features
A scene sketch supplements photographs and written descriptions by showing the spatial relationships between key elements at the scene, including measurements, compass directions, and the locations of evidence.
Question 3: In report writing, what is the difference between a 'fact' and an 'inference'?
- A fact is something directly observed or verified; an inference is a conclusion drawn from the facts (Correct answer)
- There is no difference in police report writing
- A fact is an opinion; an inference is a guess
- A fact must be in writing; an inference can be verbal
Correct answer: A fact is something directly observed or verified; an inference is a conclusion drawn from the facts
Facts are things directly observed, measured, or verified (e.g., 'the window was broken'). Inferences are conclusions drawn from facts (e.g., 'the burglar entered through the window'). Reports should clearly distinguish between the two.
Question 4: When recording times in a Garda report, which format is standard?
- 24-hour clock format (e.g., 14:30 hours) (Correct answer)
- 12-hour clock with AM/PM
- Approximate times (e.g., 'around lunchtime')
- Written out in words (e.g., 'half past two in the afternoon')
Correct answer: 24-hour clock format (e.g., 14:30 hours)
An Garda Síochána uses the 24-hour clock format for precision and to avoid ambiguity between AM and PM. For example, 14:30 hours is unambiguous, whereas '2:30' could mean morning or afternoon.
Question 5: A Garda report states: 'The suspect was acting suspiciously.' What is wrong with this statement?
- It is vague and subjective — it should describe the specific behaviours observed (Correct answer)
- Nothing is wrong — it is perfectly acceptable
- It should say 'very suspiciously' for emphasis
- It should use the suspect's name instead of 'the suspect'
Correct answer: It is vague and subjective — it should describe the specific behaviours observed
'Acting suspiciously' is vague and subjective. The report should describe the specific observed behaviours, such as 'the suspect was observed looking into car windows and trying door handles on three separate vehicles on Main Street.'
Question 6: What should an officer do if they make an error while writing a handwritten report?
- Draw a single line through the error, initial and date it, and write the correction nearby (Correct answer)
- Use correction fluid to cover the error
- Start a completely new report from the beginning
- Scribble over the error to make it unreadable
Correct answer: Draw a single line through the error, initial and date it, and write the correction nearby
The correct procedure is to draw a single line through the error (so it remains legible), initial and date the correction. This maintains the integrity of the document and shows that no information has been concealed.
IPAT Report Writing 2
When completing a witness statement form, which of the following should be avoided?