IPAT Report Writing

Question 1

When writing a Garda incident report, which of the following is the most important principle?

Accepted Answer

Recording facts objectively without personal opinions or assumptions

Answer

Using complex legal terminology throughout

Answer

Including the officer's personal feelings about the incident

Answer

Writing in the first person with emotional language

Question 2

Which of the following is the best example of objective language in a police report?

Accepted Answer

The male was observed staggering and his speech was slurred

Answer

The man was obviously drunk and being stupid

Answer

The suspect looked guilty and was trying to hide something

Answer

The individual was clearly a troublemaker

Question 3

In a Garda report, what does the acronym 'ADVOKATE' help officers remember when assessing witness reliability?

Accepted Answer

Amount of time, Distance, Visibility, Obstruction, Known or seen before, Any reason to remember, Time lapse, Errors or discrepancies

Answer

Arrest procedures and documentation requirements

Answer

Alphabetical witness listing format

Answer

Administrative duties for court preparation

Question 4

What is the correct chronological approach when writing a report about a road traffic collision?

Accepted Answer

Start with when you received the call, describe arrival at scene, then detail observations and actions in order

Answer

Start with the most dramatic details to capture the reader's attention

Answer

Begin with your conclusions about who was at fault

Answer

Start with witness statements and work backwards

Question 5

Which of the following statements is correctly written for inclusion in an official Garda report?

Accepted Answer

At approximately 23:15 hours on 15/03/2026, I observed a silver Toyota Corolla, registration 221-D-12345, travelling northbound on the N7 at approximately 140 km/h in a 120 km/h zone.

Answer

I saw a car going way too fast on the motorway last night.

Answer

Some fella in a silver car was speeding on the N7.

Answer

A car was speeding. It was silver. It was on the N7. The time was late.

Question 6

Why is it important to record exact words used by a suspect in a Garda report?

Accepted Answer

Because the exact words may be used as evidence in court proceedings and must be accurately attributed

Answer

Because it makes the report more entertaining to read

Answer

Because officers are required to fill a minimum word count

Answer

Because suspects always tell the truth