A report with two kinds of evidence
During a fictional supervised work shift, Officer A personally sees a person place a small packet under a bench. Officer B later says that another person had been standing nearby. The packet is secured through the authorized process, and the record identifies the location, time and handler. An early report draft states that both people jointly concealed prohibited material, although its contents have not yet been identified and Officer A did not observe the second person handling it. A supervisor asks for a clear account before any further decision. The exercise does not specify an offense, a search power or a court finding. Students must preserve the difference between direct observation, an attributed statement and an inference without deciding guilt from proximity alone.
1. What should the report distinguish?
Read the worked answer
Record Officer A actual observation, attribute Officer B statement and identify the joint-concealment theory as an unproven inference. Do not describe unidentified contents or another person conduct as established facts.
2. What supports later review?
Read the worked answer
Preserve the original observations, item identification, authorized handling and transfer record. Investigate the missing information through the proper process without fabricating a conclusion.