IPAT Report Writing — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When writing a Garda incident report, which of the following is the most important principle?
- Recording facts objectively without personal opinions or assumptions (Correct answer)
- Using complex legal terminology throughout
- Including the officer's personal feelings about the incident
- Writing in the first person with emotional language
Correct answer: Recording facts objectively without personal opinions or assumptions
Garda reports must be factual and objective. Personal opinions, assumptions, and emotional language can undermine the credibility and legal admissibility of the report. Facts should be recorded as observed.
Question 2: Which of the following is the best example of objective language in a police report?
- The male was observed staggering and his speech was slurred (Correct answer)
- The man was obviously drunk and being stupid
- The suspect looked guilty and was trying to hide something
- The individual was clearly a troublemaker
Correct answer: The male was observed staggering and his speech was slurred
Option A describes observable behaviour (staggering, slurred speech) without making subjective judgements. The other options contain opinions ('obviously drunk', 'looked guilty', 'troublemaker') that are inappropriate in official reports.
Question 3: In a Garda report, what does the acronym 'ADVOKATE' help officers remember when assessing witness reliability?
- Amount of time, Distance, Visibility, Obstruction, Known or seen before, Any reason to remember, Time lapse, Errors or discrepancies (Correct answer)
- Arrest procedures and documentation requirements
- Alphabetical witness listing format
- Administrative duties for court preparation
Correct answer: Amount of time, Distance, Visibility, Obstruction, Known or seen before, Any reason to remember, Time lapse, Errors or discrepancies
ADVOKATE is a mnemonic used to assess witness evidence quality: Amount of time under observation, Distance, Visibility, Obstruction, Known/seen before, Any reason to remember, Time lapse since event, Errors/discrepancies in the account.
Question 4: What is the correct chronological approach when writing a report about a road traffic collision?
- Start with when you received the call, describe arrival at scene, then detail observations and actions in order (Correct answer)
- Start with the most dramatic details to capture the reader's attention
- Begin with your conclusions about who was at fault
- Start with witness statements and work backwards
Correct answer: Start with when you received the call, describe arrival at scene, then detail observations and actions in order
Reports should follow a chronological structure: when the incident was reported, arrival time, scene observations, actions taken, and evidence gathered — all in the order they occurred.
Question 5: Which of the following statements is correctly written for inclusion in an official Garda report?
- 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. (Correct answer)
- I saw a car going way too fast on the motorway last night.
- Some fella in a silver car was speeding on the N7.
- A car was speeding. It was silver. It was on the N7. The time was late.
Correct 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.
Option A provides specific, verifiable details: exact time, date, vehicle description, registration number, location, and specific speed — all essential for an effective police report.
Question 6: Why is it important to record exact words used by a suspect in a Garda report?
- Because the exact words may be used as evidence in court proceedings and must be accurately attributed (Correct answer)
- Because it makes the report more entertaining to read
- Because officers are required to fill a minimum word count
- Because suspects always tell the truth
Correct answer: Because the exact words may be used as evidence in court proceedings and must be accurately attributed
Exact quotes from suspects (recorded in quotation marks) can be crucial evidence in court. Paraphrasing or misquoting could be challenged by the defence and may affect the admissibility or weight of the evidence.
IPAT Report Writing
When writing a Garda incident report, which of the following is the most important principle?