Collecting Documentary Evidence

Collecting Documentary Evidence Collect documentary evidence such as Shore Patrol reports, log entries, watch bills, service record entries, local instructions, or organizational manuals. Attach the original or a certified copy of relevant documents to the investigator’s report. Check to see if you, as investigator, have the authority to certify relevant documents. If you do, write on the documents the words certified to be a true copy, and sign your name. Collecting Real Evidence Real evidence is a physical object, such as a knife used in an assault or a stolen camera in a theft case. Before seeking real evidence, become familiar with the Military Rules of Evidence concerning searches and seizures. The Manual for Courts-Martial, 1984 contains the Military Rules of Evidence. Take photographs of an object if it is too large to bring to NJP proceedings. Leave real evidence in the custody of a law enforcement agency unless otherwise directed; however, personally examine the evidence. Advise the Accused Before questioning the accused, have the accused sign the acknowledgement line on the front of the report chit and initial any attached pages. Use the Suspect’s Rights Acknowledgment/ Statement form (figs. 2-5 and 2-6) as a checklist Figure 2-6.-Suspect’s Rights Acknowledgment/Statement (Back). 2-7