It's back to school for our families and to a more regular work routine for many of you.
I'm back at it too, with public sessions running in late September.

I think some safety practitioners consider taking notes during an investigation as a pain, not unlike that of having a root canal.

If you are involved in a significant incident investigation your notes may be your life line. Build a comfort level with note taking by doing so during routine investigations.

Here's a few tips on note taking.

Your Notebook

• Number the pages
• Use pen, not pencil
• Write legibly, not in code or shorthand
• Stroke thru any mistakes and initial them
• Do not rip out, skip pages or destroy your notes
• Keep your notebook secure

When to Take Notes and What to Write

• Describe the scene as you found it
• Record your arrival time and that of others and when you learned key information
• Take notes as events occur or as soon after as possible
• Take notes while people are talking to you
• Record the who, what, when and where
• Record the date, time and place you made each note
• Record what you observe, hear, say and do
• Be precise, don't say "acting strange," but exactly what you saw and heard
• Do not record personal opinions or conclusions

The Scene

• Describe and sketch the scene
• Measure and record distances
• Record damage and injuries
• Record word for word any victim statements

Recording Names and Describing Evidence

• Record for each witness, their name, position, address and phone number
• Record who reported the situation to you and those who assist in the investigation
• When you find evidence record what it is and where and when you found it
• If you receive evidence from others record who searched for it, who collected it, who identified it and who handled it
• Record how you identified or labeled the found evidence

Source: Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police