Making an investigation case report might seem so critical and stressful. Sometimes, investigation reports can even be deemed biased and unfair. It needs to be factful and thorough. Here are smart key points in making a comprehensive and complete investigation report.
1. Wide-Focused, Simply Straightforward
Your investigation report will be a valid and credible document to present in any group, so make sure each detail is correct and accurate. Study the whole scene and discover what are the necessary details. Unnecessary information might leave an ambiguity reading. Also, an investigation report does not have to be composed artistically. Use simple language in stating the facts and details. You need not use figurative language to make beautiful imagery. Metaphorical statements will lead your investigation report to many possible implications. Be straightforward when writing down your sample report. Someone who may or may not be part of the investigation must be able to comprehend it to its exact and only meaning without any stress.
2. Use Active Voice
Instead of "The man was robbed at 6:15 PM by a tall stranger," use "The tall stranger robbed the man at 6:15 PM." What you read from the first statement is an example of a passive voice. It is more lengthy and weak sounding. The second statement is an example of an active voice. This is more convicting and compelling. A comprehensive professional report document will require this voice for a more authoritative tone.
3. Exact Findings
A good investigation report should define the findings in an objective way. Moreover, stating the findings should be in chronological order, following the dates and times, if possible, per activity that happened during the incident. You can write it down by using bullets or in narrative paragraphs, or a combination of both. Also, each detail must be armed with evidence such as a photograph or video file, statements from witnesses, documents, and other possible items. In line with that, your process of getting the data should be determined through the investigation report also. By indicating the steps you have done for the report, it can establish your report outline as timely and explicitly following the investigation, which makes it more credible and fair.
4. Write Your Conclusion
Study thoroughly the whole investigation and narrow it down to a specific, complete, and comprehensible conclusion. The conclusion should be elaborative in explaining what actually happened and/or what violations were committed. This should determine the validity of any allegations. Clearly identify which is true and false. Your conclusion will be a summary report. You can entail it in a narrative paragraph form.
5. Considerable Recommendations
One essential purpose of an investigation report is to come up with recommendation/s that is/are benefitable when applied for the situation. This is to take full control or implement preventive arrangements in the future. Moreso, recommendations must be specific of when, where, and how can it be applied in the future.