Best Practices

These practices emerged from working with experienced investigators. This page explains why each practice matters.

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Keep Information Current

Why Real-Time Documentation Matters

Memory degrades. Details you remember clearly at the scene become fuzzy by end of shift.

Others depend on your updates. Supervisors, partners, and prosecutors need current information.

The case file is the record. What's not documented doesn't exist for legal purposes.

AI assistance improves. The AI can only help with information it has.

The Practice

• Update case status as it changes
• Complete checklist items when done, not later
• Add notes while details are fresh
• Log evidence immediately

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Use the AI Proactively

Why Early AI Engagement Helps

Before you're stuck. The AI can surface information you might not think to ask for.

Information overload is real. Complex cases have too much information to hold in your head.

Summaries save time. Let AI do the mechanical work of organizing information.

Patterns emerge. AI may notice connections you'd miss.

The Practice

• Ask questions before you're stuck
• Request summaries to stay oriented
• Use "what should I do next?" for guidance
• Let AI help organize information

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Trust the Checklist

Why Systematic Approaches Work

Even experts forget. Under pressure, even experienced investigators miss steps.

The checklist exists because of real failures. Each item is there because someone learned the hard way.

Time-sensitive items have deadlines for reasons. Evidence degrades, witnesses disappear, opportunities close.

Documentation protects you. Proof that procedures were followed.

The Practice

• It's based on proven methodology
• Time-sensitive items matter
• Don't skip items without good reason
• Add notes to explain your actions

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Role-Specific Guidance

First Officers

Start the checklist immediately. The Golden Hour is real. Don't wait.

Document everything. Photos, notes, observations. More is better.

Protect the scene first. It's easier to release than recover.

Brief thoroughly. Your handoff sets up the entire investigation.

Ask for help. The AI knows the checklist requirements.

Detectives

Review before investigating. Check First Officer's notes first. Don't duplicate or miss.

Use solvability to prioritize. Focus on factors you can improve.

Document as you go. Not at end of day when details fade.

Leverage AI for summaries. Save mental energy for judgment calls.

Request approvals early. Don't let pending approvals delay progress.

Supervisors

Review approvals promptly. Don't be a bottleneck.

Use dashboards daily. Catch issues before they become problems.

Coach through approvals. Provide feedback, not just decisions.

Balance workloads. Prevent burnout.

Trust but verify. AI helps; you oversee.

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Evidence Management

Why Evidence Practices Matter

Chain of custody is legal foundation. Broken chain = challenged evidence.

Photos preserve context. Before moving, multiple angles.

Connections matter later. Linking evidence to people and events builds the case.

The Practice

• Photograph before touching
• Document chain in the system
• Link related items
• Create connections now while you remember them

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Time Management

Why Time Discipline Matters

The Golden Hour. Evidence and witnesses are most accessible immediately.

First 24 Hours. Critical windows for ME notification, interviews, canvas.

Deadlines are real. Statutory requirements, policy deadlines, data retention.

The Practice

Golden Hour priorities:

1. Scene security
2. Notifications
3. Witness identification
4. Initial documentation
5. Evidence preservation

First 24 Hours:

• Complete ME notification
• Interview available witnesses
• Collect perishable evidence
• Canvas the area
• Establish timeline

Ongoing:

• Review checklist daily
• Update case status
• Process pending approvals
• Follow up on lab results

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Collaboration

Why Team Communication Matters

Investigations are team efforts. No one works alone.

The system is the record. Side channels create gaps.

Handoffs require information. Complete documentation enables smooth transitions.

The Practice

• Keep your supervisor informed
• Update case notes for partners
• Use the system, not side channels
• Share relevant information
• Complete your section before handoff

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Common Mistakes

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Summary

These practices work because they:

• Preserve information when it's freshest
• Leverage AI for mechanical work
• Follow systematic methodology
• Respect time constraints
• Enable team collaboration

None of this replaces professional judgment. It creates the conditions for good judgment to be effective.