What is the purpose of a field notebook?

The purpose of a field notebook is to record observations at the scene. This tool is crucial for law enforcement as it allows officers to document details such as the environment, physical evidence, and behavior of individuals involved in an incident. Accurate and thorough notes taken in the field can provide important context for investigations, serve as a memory aid during interviews, and be used to support reports and testimonies in court. The observations recorded may also be pivotal in reconstructing events later on, ensuring that all relevant information is preserved.

In contrast, a field notebook is not primarily designed to hold all police reports or solely store personal notes or interviews. While it may contain various pieces of information, its key function revolves around capturing real-time observations which are vital for effective law enforcement operations.