Which item is essential to include in field notes to support investigations?

• A. Opinions about the suspect's character.
• B. Times and locations and observed actions.
• C. Speculation about motives.
• D. Irrelevant gossip.

Answer: (B)

Field notes must be objective, verifiable records that document what actually happened. The most essential information to include is the exact times, places, and actions you observed. Recording times and locations creates a reliable timeline and spatial context, while describing observed actions provides a clear, factual sequence of events as they unfolded. This combination lets investigators reconstruct the scene, assess what occurred, and verify statements against the documented timeline. Opinions about a person’s character or motives, speculation, or gossip aren’t appropriate because they’re subjective, unverifiable, or irrelevant to the investigation and can contaminate the official record. Keep notes precise, factual, and based on observable details.