How to Write a Supplement for a Domestic Abuse Police Report
Writing a supplemental domestic violence police report is as straightforward as putting your memories of an abusive event on paper. As with all police reports, clarity, detail and accuracy are the most important considerations. In many jurisdictions, filing a supplemental report means calling the police department, giving them the case number from the original report, then answering questions from an officer over the phone. But you may also need to know how to write the report, or have a witness write a statement when an officer is not available to take a written supplement.
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Instructions
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Written Documentation
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Write about the basics of the incident that know about. Report who was involved, where and in what kind of activity. Also describe what you know about why the incident occurred. When a victim writes the report, she needs to be as detailed and as accurate as possible about everything she heard, felt, saw and did.
Include anyone who was involved or anything that may have happened---and when and where---that the police do not already know about. Try to explain why new information may not have been reported during the initial investigation.
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Write down the name and contact information of new witnesses. Contact information includes name, phone number, home and work addresses.
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Ask witnesses to write a statement answering the 5 Ws: who, what, where, when, and why. The witness needs to be as clear, accurate and detailed as possible in the statement.
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Ask the witness to get the statement notarized at a bank or other place of business that offers notary services. If the witness refuses, accept his signature on the statement. Investigators can follow up later.
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Take the supplemental report to the prosecutor's office or police department, or call the police department and ask to have someone pick it up.
Photographic Documentation
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If new injuries show up after the initial investigation, or if the injuries change and look worse, call the police department and request that an officer come by to do supplemental photographs.
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If a police officer is not available to do additional photographs, call the prosecuting attorney and ask to speak to either a victim/witness advocate or to the head of the domestic violence unit. This person will be able to give additional information on where and how to get supplemental photographs taken.
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Ask a medical provider or friend to take supplemental photos if a police officer or representative of the prosecutor's office is unable to visit. Ensure that this person is willing to come to court as a witness if necessary.
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Take the photographs to the police department or prosecutor's office, or request that someone come by to pick them up.
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Tips & Warnings
Photographs are critical evidence that can make the difference between a guilty verdict and a case not even being prosecuted.
Never mark on the front of photographs. They must be in original condition to be admitted in court.
If a court orders no contact between the victim and defendant, and any contact is made, or if a protective order is broken in any way, call 911 immediately.
Domestic violence must not be ignored and can turn deadly. If a person violates a restraining order or do-not-contact order, commits additional acts of violence or makes threats against the victim, victim's family or witnesses, call 911 immediately.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit crying image by Serg Golubev from Fotolia.com
