Notebooks
Notebooks are issued by the Royal Mail Prosecution Support Office in Leeds
and consist of 100 numbered, double-sided, lined pages in a bound pad.
Notebook entries should include the following;
Details of observations
Details of interviews quoting Master Tape serial numbers
Details of suspect offender approaches
Details of searches
Details of conversations with informants
Details of other conversations or verbal statements
Factual matters such as the preparation of a test item, the movement
of evidence etc
One person can make an entry which is countersigned by another person
present at the same event — they must have seen exactly the same thing. If
that is the case it is permissible for the two Investigation Managers to discuss
the matter prior to the entry being made but an entry needs to be made in the
notebook that they had done so.
It is important to be aware that in these circumstances the two colleagues are
“consulting” with each other not “colluding”
Date
Time
Description of item
Where found
Witness details
Any other persons present
Was the recovered item placed in an exhibit bag?
Was a signature obtained for the completed notebook entry?
Ask whether a friend was offered to the witness — make the point that
taking a notebook entry in this way is no different to the other
circumstances when a friend would be offered.
POL00118106
POLO0118106