When documenting a victim or witness statement, which approach is acceptable?

• A. Paraphrase only, with no consent or signature.
• B. Record statements verbatim only.
• C. Clear, verbatim or accurately paraphrased with date/time, location, consent, and signature.
• D. Omit consent and signature.

Answer: (C)

When documenting a victim or witness statement, the goal is to capture what was said accurately while providing the context and ensuring the record is trustworthy. You can either record the words exactly as spoken or paraphrase clearly and accurately if needed, as long as the meaning is preserved. The key additions are important: the date and time of the statement, the location, the person’s consent to have the statement recorded, and their signature to attest to the content and its authenticity. This combination creates a reliable record with a clear audit trail, which is essential for later review or potential legal use. Omitting consent and signature undermines the record’s legitimacy, and paraphrasing without consent can risk misinterpretation. Verbatim alone may not always be practical or sufficient without the contextual details and consent, so including both the content options and the metadata ensures accuracy, consent, and accountability.