Report formats

[Homer]

I notice a document from an Investigation training company which has guidelines for agents re report format. They specify strongly not to include statements in the report, but have them as attachments. I know several large companies have a similar policy. What do you guys do ? I have for over 12 years inserted entire statement in body of report and never had a complaint from any client. Indeed, they like it that way, as it saves going to the attached statement then back when reading trough a report. Also, it saves any queries if the statement goes missing if detached. My way, the client can read from page 1 and by the time they get to the end the know everything. I am not changing my style but just interested in thoughts. It is also quicker to cut and paste statement into report than to summarise key features.

[shadower]

My preferred style is as suggested in your training manual. A report should be concise and to the point, raising issues of interest in each statement - in fact a synopsis of each statement should be included. All of my original statements are delivered to the client company and copies are attached to the report. It keeps the report tighter and more to the point. Many statements contain irrelevant and repetitive items I have found.

[Homer]

Fair comment. Depends on who report will be read by - not just Claims Manager but also Solicitors, Barristers, Judges, Doctors, expert witnesses etc, some of who prefer lots of detail. I am interested in your comment about irrelevant and repetitive items in statements. Who is doing that and do you get the opportunity to fix that ?  How is that happening without being adressed ? I don't understand. Do you mean witnesses add stuff or is it the investigator being unattentive ? Are you a principal or subbie - which may explain the situation. Cheers.

[Agent Shadow]

Hi all

Personally I do not see the point in regurgitating the contents of the statement in the report. I use the report to cover impertinent points of the statement and then would write something like "We have obtained an adopted statement from Joe BLOGGS which can be found as Attachment 1".

Also what would the evidentiary value of the statement be if it went to court and is copied and pasted in the body of your report.  The judges and/or magistrates will refer to your statement you obtained in the first instance as the statement would be the best evidence you have to offer, rather a copied and pasted version in the body of your report.  I agree with my fellow shadow and would submit that the original statements are delivered to the client.

I do agree with Homer that there is alot of mucking around for your client to read your report and flick through the attachments though.

[Homer]

Fair enough AS. Obviously, I have the statement as attachment to report, which goes to client. There is no evidentiary value in having statement in report - it is just for convenience and ease of reference, simpl as that. Whatever makes the client happy !

[Agent Shadow]

Agreeable mate... I would consider what you do if a client requested this for the ease of reading....

[Homer]

Hmmmmmm. I am doing report for client whereby I need to interview a witness who already did a statement some months ago for same matter. The insurance company provided the main report from the investigation company (boasting to be and probably is the biggest in the country), however the statement has gone missing. Absolute inconvenience for many. The body of investigation report has scant reference to what is in the statement, so the witness and I have to start from scratch and he is concerned at providing evidence which may be inconsistent with original statement (he doesn't have a copy). Now -if this big firm did things my way there would be no such problem !

[Agent Shadow]

Hi Homer, whilst it is disappointing to hear that the statement had been lost, considering the evidentiary value the original had, usually such companies keep scanned copies?

I am also wondering whether you charge for your time to obtain a statement and then charge time for regurgitating again in your report.

[Homer]

Hi Agent S. Yep - my client is still trying to get hands on the statement - hopefully it will appear but just a nuisance and delay. Re charging for the time - it takes no more than a minute to rehash statement into report. Just a simple cut and paste. That is obviously heaps quicker than summarising a statement or highlighting main points etc that others do. So, from that point of view my style is more cost effective and cheaper. I don't charge as if it has been retyped, if that is what was on your mind. On a similar note, I am amazed at the amount of repetition and unnecessary paragraphs & headings in the report provided by this huge company. It could well be regarded as "padding".

[Agent Shadow]

I hear you Hommer re: "padding" of reports... but what can we  do? Jump through hoops to keep the work coming through  :roll: