Research Paper: Types of Reports
Keishia Likens
Liberty University : Helms School of Government
CJUS 231-B05: Criminal Justice Report Writing
Professor Vorberger
September 26, 2022
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Research Paper: Types of Reports
Law enforcement reports are an important source of information for research on crime
and traffic safety. They can provide comprehensive data on the situations of definite incidents,
including the incident's location, time, and nature. Additionally, reports offer insights into trends
and patterns in criminal activity and traffic safety. Each type of law enforcement report serves a
specific purpose and provides different information that can be used for research. Traffic crash
reports, for example, can be used to study crash trends and develop strategies for reducing
accidents. Misdemeanor crime reports can be used to study the prevalence of certain crimes, and
felony crime reports can be used to study the severity of crimes. Domestic violence reports can
be used to study the prevalence of domestic violence and to develop strategies for preventing and
responding to domestic violence. The essay thus discusses the four reports of traffic crashes,
misdemeanor crimes, felony crimes, and domestic violence reports in detail, outlining the
information required to complete the reports, the aims for completing those reports, the need to
guarantee precision in reporting, and the audience viewing the reports.
Traffic Crashes
Traffic crashes are the most common type of law enforcement officer-involved incidents.
Most traffic crashes involving law enforcement officers are caused by the same factors that cause
civilian crashes, such as speeding, distracted driving, and impairment. There are many diverse
categories of traffic crashes requiring different information to be reported. The most important
information to include in any traffic crash report is the location, time, and date of the incident
and all parties' names and contact info (Yang et al., 2020). A traffic crash report's purpose is to
document an accident's circumstances so that it can be properly investigated. In many cases,
traffic crash reports are used to determine who is at fault for an accident and can be used as
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evidence in civil or criminal cases. Traffic crash reports can also be used to identify trends and
patterns in accidents, which can help to improve safety on our roads.
It is important to ensure accuracy in reporting traffic crashes for several reasons. First,
these reports are often used by researchers to study trends in traffic safety. Second, they are used
by policymakers to make decisions about how to improve traffic safety. Finally, they are used by
the general public to learn about traffic safety and to make decisions about how to avoid crashes.
There are several ways to ensure accuracy in traffic crash reports. First, it is important to use
reliable sources of information, such as police reports (Yang et al., 2020). Moreover, it is
important to verify the accuracy of the information. Lastly, these reports must use consistent
methods for collecting and reporting the data. The accuracy of traffic crash reports is important
to a variety of audiences. Researchers use these reports to study trends in traffic safety.
Policymakers use them to make decisions about how to improve traffic safety. The general public
uses them to learn about traffic safety and to make decisions about how to avoid crashes.
Misdemeanor Crimes
There are many different types of misdemeanor crimes that a law enforcement officer
may encounter while on duty. The most common misdemeanor crimes include public
drunkenness, disorderly conduct, trespassing, and petty theft. While these crimes are not
typically considered serious offenses, they can still result in a criminal record if the offender is
convicted. In some cases, a misdemeanor crime can also lead to jail time. The information
required to complete a Misdemeanor Crimes report can vary depending on the crime's state.
However, most states will require information such as the name, address, and phone number of
the victim; the name, address, and phone number of the offender; the date, time, and location of
the crime; and a description of the offense (Ristroph, 2020). The purpose of these reports is to
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document the occurrence of a misdemeanor crime so that the offender can be prosecuted and the
victim can receive compensation or other relief, if applicable.
It is essential to ensure accuracy in the reporting of misdemeanor crimes for a variety of
reasons. First, these reports are used by law enforcement to track crime trends and allocate
resources. If the data is inaccurate, it can lead to inefficient use of resources and a misallocation
of resources. Additionally, the data is used by researchers to study crime trends and to develop
prevention and intervention programs. If the data is inaccurate, it can lead to ineffective
programs that do not address the true scope of the problem. Finally, the data is used by the media
to report on crime trends. Inaccurate data can lead to sensationalized and fear-mongering stories
that do not accurately reflect the true nature of the crime. Inaccurate reporting of misdemeanor
crimes can also impact the public's perception of crime in general (Ristroph, 2020). If the public
believes that misdemeanor crimes are more prevalent or serious than they are, this could create
an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. The audience that might view these Misdemeanor Crimes
reports could be those who are interested in crime statistics, those who are interested in the
criminal justice system, or those who are interested in public safety.
Felony Crimes
There are several felony crimes, the most prevalent of which are violent crimes and
property crimes. Any act involving physical force or the threat of physical force against another
person is considered a violent crime. Property crimes are defined as any crimes involving the
theft or damage of property. In order to complete a felony crimes report, investigators will need
to gather a great deal of information (Byeon et al., 2018). The information required for these
reports includes evidence collected at the crime scene, witness statements, and any surveillance
footage that may be available. This information will be used to piece together what happened and
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to identify any suspects. The reports will also need to include the victim's account of what
happened, if possible. The victim's account of the incident can be difficult to obtain, as many
victims are traumatized by the experience and may be unable to remember all the details.
However, trying to get as much information as possible to build a strong case is
important. The reports will also need to be very detailed to be used in court. Every investigation
step needs to be documented, from the initial call to the final arrest. Documenting every
investigation step can be much work, but ensuring that justice is served is essential. The reasons
for completing Felony Crimes reports vary but may include the need to document the incident
for insurance purposes, to obtain a restraining order, or to prosecute the perpetrator (Ristroph,
2020). It is essential to ensure accuracy in reporting felony crimes to maintain public trust in the
criminal justice system. This is especially true for those who might view these reports, such as
victims, witnesses, and the general public. Inaccurate reports could lead to innocent people being
convicted of crimes they did not commit and discourage people from coming forward to report
crimes. The media is often the audience that views these reports and must be accurate to maintain
the public's trust.
Domestic Violence Crimes
Domestic violence can occur in heterosexual or same-sex relationships and include
physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse. Domestic Violence Crimes reports may need the
following information: the names of the victim and offender, the date and time of the event, the
location of the incident, a description of the incident, and any injuries incurred (Byeon et al.,
2018). The reasons for completing Domestic Violence Crimes reports include: documenting the
occurrence of the crime, gathering evidence to support the victim's claim, assisting in the
prosecution of the perpetrator, and providing support and resources to the victim.
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When it comes to reporting domestic violence crimes, accuracy is key. Accuracy is
fundamental in reporting because domestic violence can have a ripple effect on families and
communities, and accurate reporting can help prevent further violence (Turner et al., 2019).
Additionally, the media plays a role in how the public views domestic violence, and accurate
reporting can help to change the way that the public views domestic violence. Moreover, the
audience that might view these reports can vary depending on the context in which they are
viewed. For example, reports of domestic violence might be viewed by law enforcement
officials, prosecutors, and judges in order to help them investigate and prosecute cases of
domestic violence. Victim advocates and other service providers might also view reports to help
them assist victims of domestic violence.
Conclusion
The four reports are very important in their respective uses. Each report should be
handled with accuracy and care. From the research on law enforcement reports, it can be
concluded that law enforcement plays a vital role in keeping our communities safe. They
investigate crimes, apprehend criminals, and work to prevent crime. While law enforcement
agencies have different operating methods, they all share the goal of keeping the public safe. The
application of those four reports helps in maintaining peace, justification of cases, and ensuring
there are reduced crimes.
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References
Byeon, J., Kim, I., & Lee, D. (2018). Protest and property crime: Political use of police resources
and the deterrence of crime. Public Choice, 175(1), 181-196.
Ristroph, A. (2020). Criminal law as public ordering. University of Toronto Law Journal,
70(supplement 1), 64-83.
Turner, E., Medina, J., & Brown, G. (2019). Dashing hopes? The predictive accuracy of domestic
abuse risk assessment by police. The British Journal of Criminology, 59(5), 1013-1034.
Yang, H., Ma, Q., Wang, Z., Cai, Q., Xie, K., & Yang, D. (2020). Safety of micro-mobility:
Analysis of E-Scooter crashes by mining news reports. Accident Analysis & Prevention,
143, 105608.
