Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing Documentation
Sabrina V. Miller
Liberty University: Helms School of Government
CJUS231: Criminal Justice Report Writing
Professor Franz Blanchard M.S.
15 December 2023
2
Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing Documentation
The field of law enforcement and criminal justice relies heavily on thorough and accurate
report writing documentation. Through proper documentation, investigators are able to gather,
analyze, and present critical information that is essential for both misdemeanor and felony
investigations. This research paper aims to explore the differences in report writing
documentation for these investigations, with a focus on the elements required, the purpose of
internal and external statements, the impact of improper documentation, and the audience that
reviews these reports. One can gain a deeper understanding of the significance of report writing
in criminal investigations and its impact on the pursuit of justice through delving into the topics.
There are various elements and information needed to take on misdemeanor and felony
investigations. One of the elements is the information collected in a criminal investigation which
includes victim and suspect information (Morris & Merson, 2017). For victims, their name, age,
contact information, and relevant background details are gathered to aid the investigation (Morris
& Merson, 2017). In misdemeanor cases, this information is primarily used for communication
and to establish the victim's involvement (Holtz, 2016). However, for felony investigations, a
more comprehensive collection is necessary, such as understanding the relationship between the
victim and suspect, potential motives, or any prior criminal history (Morris & Merson, 2017).
There is also suspect information which involves gathering the suspect's name, age, physical
description, aliases, or any identifying information available (Holtz, 2016). For misdemeanors,
