Report Template- Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Investigation

This template is designed to assist you in gathering and organizing information needed to complete the investigation of a domestic violence report.  Obtaining the information contained herein may assist you in performing a complete investigation and gathering information vital to your report. This is NOT state specific and is not an exhaustive list.

1. Opening paragraph: Date, time and other information important to how officer became involved (dispatched to a call, flagged down, etc.). If the deputy witnessed something to cause him/her to stop at the incident location, that fact should be included in this initial paragraph.

• Arrival at the scene
  • If situation is still volatile, what did officer do to make scene safe, secure it, treat injuries, etc.
  • Officer’s observations: what the officer saw; what the officer heard. Appearance of the scene (overturned furniture, broken items, weapons, etc.)
  • Appearance of the victim
    • Injuries (thoroughly describe the injuries)
    • Emotional (crying, screaming, shaking)
      • Describe exactly what you witnessed. Don’t draw conclusions with words like “upset” or “agitated.”
    • Excited utterances by victim
  • Appearance of the suspect (location and demeanor; also include statements, including spontaneous statements)
  • Medical attention offered/called in case of injury to any party
  • Was the assistance of a CIT officer required?
  • Separate all parties (document)

• Victim’s Statement
  • Relationship with the suspect
  • How did they receive their injury
  • Cause of the argument; however, when documenting, they did not cause the violence against them
  • Children/Witnesses
  • Prior history (have police been called before? Has suspect been arrested? Is there a restraining order or an order of no contact?) Confirm history via computer checks.
  • Drug or alcohol involvement by either party
  • What happened after the argument?
  • Sworn, taped statement from the victim
  • Emotional state of victim
  • Was a weapon used? What kind? Do they have access to a weapon?
  • Ask about strangulation.

• Suspect
  • Relationship to the victim
  • Injuries – document how they received them
  • Suspect Statement/Sworn if applicable
  • Demeanor while deputies were on scene

• Witnesses – separate first
  • Canvass neighbors to see what they may have heard/seenMake sure you locate the 911 caller, if it wasn’t the victimWhat was seen/heard
  • Relationship to involved parties or are they independent witnesses?

• Deputy’s actions at the scene
  • Evidence gathered? Are there weapons in plain view? If PC to arrest suspect, remove firearms that belong to him/her. Statement taken? Photos taken?
    • Both victim and suspect should be photographed. The scene should be photographed as well
• • Victim notification/victim packet. Victim Advocate/notification. Computer checks on suspect/victim history.
• • Lethality Assessment
  • Victim — medical attention or shelter or refusal

• Disposition
  • Primary or predominant aggressor determined?
    • Normally, both parties should NOT be arrested
    Arrest with or without incident? Suspect arrested / case filed / PC pending / investigation closed?
    • BOLO issued for suspect if not located. Warrant obtained? DV Unit Notified?
    Evidence submitted
  • Notification of Department of Children and Families when combatants have children present