What is the purpose of field notes and incident reports?

• A. To provide a personal diary of the officer.
• B. To accurately document observations, actions, times, locations, and evidence for investigations and court use.
• C. To replace the need for testimony.
• D. To obscure facts.

Answer: (B)

The purpose of field notes and incident reports is to create an accurate, complete, and verifiable record of what happened, including observations, actions taken, times, locations, and any evidence collected, so the information can support investigations and potential court use. Field notes capture the details as they occur, providing a contemporaneous account that notes exactly what was seen or done. Those notes are then translated into an incident report, a formal document that presents a clear narrative of the events, the sequence of actions, dispositions, and the evidence involved. This documentation ensures continuity and reliability, helps establish a factual timeline, and supports the chain of custody for any evidence. It also serves as a credible reference for investigators, prosecutors, and witnesses, and it can be used to refresh memory during testimony.

This is not a personal diary or a subjective summary, and it does not aim to replace testimony. Nor is it about obscuring facts; the goal is to preserve precise details and objective observations so the record stands up in court and supports ongoing investigations.