Why Is Note-Taking Important?
A student majoring in nursing may take notes in preparation for an exam. However, once the exam has been completed, it would be ill-advised for the student to discard of this written record because the notes may be applicable in another course or they may function as a useful resource during the student’s career. Alternatively, note-taking is a vital component when it comes to documenting a crime scene. Notes can assist officers in describing specifics from a scene and what procedures had been employed, information that should not solely be committed to memory (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2009, p. 12). Ultimately, notes in themselves are valuable supplemental materials that can aid an officer regarding the various aspects of an
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investigation. In addition, given the high-stakes nature of criminal investigations, the value of retaining one’s notes cannot be overemphasized. Note-taking is a vital component when it comes to documenting a crime scene. Essentially, there is purported logic as to why some officers opt to dispose of their notes. Orthmann and Hess (2013) “Some officers destroy all of their field notes after they have written their reports, contending that notes simply duplicate what is in the report and may in fact contain information no longer pertinent when the report is written” (p. 45). However, an officer cannot be absolutely certain that the contents of their notes will not be relevant at a subsequent time.
In addition, although saving one’s notes may be considered as an inconvenience, the potential advantages of such a procedure outweigh the disadvantages.
For example, notes can afford officers protection. The defense may attempt to capitalize on the absence of notes by suggesting that the officer was concealing information to help the prosecution (Orthmann & Hess, 2013, p. 45). Thus, a failure to retain notes can be utilized to challenge the officer’s testimony and version of events. Moreover, this defense tactic does have the ability to prove effective. For instance, the mismanagement of evidence in the O.J. Simpson case succeeded in furthering the interests of the defense by raising the suspicion of the public and implying that law enforcement had conspired against the defendant. Therefore, a lack of documentation is a weakness that could be interpreted as being a device used by the officer or prosecution to obtain a guilty verdict and could conceivably be used to discredit an officer. Alternatively, simply because a trial has concluded does not necessarily mean that notes may not become relevant years later. Orthmann and Hess (2013) “Appeals have been granted as long as 20 years after convictions, with the defendant being granted a new trial” (p. 45). Consequently, notes cannot only serve an instrumental purpose by offering a point of reference, but they can also aid in refreshing the officer’s memory when an extended period of time has
passed.
investigation. In addition, given the high-stakes nature of criminal investigations, the value of retaining one’s notes cannot be overemphasized. Note-taking is a vital component when it comes to documenting a crime scene. Essentially, there is purported logic as to why some officers opt to dispose of their notes. Orthmann and Hess (2013) “Some officers destroy all of their field notes after they have written their reports, contending that notes simply duplicate what is in the report and may in fact contain information no longer pertinent when the report is written” (p. 45). However, an officer cannot be absolutely certain that the contents of their notes will not be relevant at a subsequent time.
In addition, although saving one’s notes may be considered as an inconvenience, the potential advantages of such a procedure outweigh the disadvantages.
For example, notes can afford officers protection. The defense may attempt to capitalize on the absence of notes by suggesting that the officer was concealing information to help the prosecution (Orthmann & Hess, 2013, p. 45). Thus, a failure to retain notes can be utilized to challenge the officer’s testimony and version of events. Moreover, this defense tactic does have the ability to prove effective. For instance, the mismanagement of evidence in the O.J. Simpson case succeeded in furthering the interests of the defense by raising the suspicion of the public and implying that law enforcement had conspired against the defendant. Therefore, a lack of documentation is a weakness that could be interpreted as being a device used by the officer or prosecution to obtain a guilty verdict and could conceivably be used to discredit an officer. Alternatively, simply because a trial has concluded does not necessarily mean that notes may not become relevant years later. Orthmann and Hess (2013) “Appeals have been granted as long as 20 years after convictions, with the defendant being granted a new trial” (p. 45). Consequently, notes cannot only serve an instrumental purpose by offering a point of reference, but they can also aid in refreshing the officer’s memory when an extended period of time has
passed.