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

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?

Accepted Answer

The male was observed staggering and his speech was slurred

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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?

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

Option A provides specific, verifiable details: exact time, date, vehicle description, registration number, location, and specific speed — all essential for an effective police report.

IPAT Practice Test

IPAT Practice Test

IPAT Report Writing