5 Part Statement StructureAims

To introduce students to Statement Writing.

Objectives•Explain the difference between Direct and Hearsay Evidence.•Explain the meaning of the MCA Declaration .•Describe the components that make up a statement.•Outline the characteristics that should be included when describing people.•Outline the procedure when Identifying exhibits.•State the elements contained in the mneumonic ADVOKATE.

What is a witness?

• A person who can give evidence of what they perceived through their own senses

• Direct Evidence

• Hearsay Evidence

Recording witness information

• Pocket Notebook - 1st account / 1st descriptions

• Written Statement (MG 11)

5 Part Statement Structure

• Introduction• Scene Setting• What Happened• Descriptions• ADVOKATE

Introduction

Why is this statement being made?

Scene Setting

•People (not suspects)Who were you with?Who else was involved?How do you know them?

•Places • Where did it happen?• If more than one place, how do they relate

to one another?

What Happened

Main body of the statement……..

A detailed evidential account…….

Descriptions

• Suspects (and witnesses)

• Property

• Exhibits

Obtaining a description from someone else

• First description must be recorded

• Avoid leading questions

• Avoid stereotypical words

ADVOKATE

ADVOKATE

mount of time under observation

istance from incident / persons

isibility

bscured view?

nown to you?

ny reason to remember?

ime elapsed since incident and identification

rrors or material discrepancies

5 Part Statement Structure

• Introduction• Scene Setting• What Happened?• Description• ADVOKATE

5 Part Statement StructureAims

To introduce students to Statement Writing.

Objectives•Explain the difference between Direct and Hearsay Evidence.•Explain the meaning of the MCA Declaration .•Describe the components that make up a statement.•Outline the characteristics that should be included when describing people.•Outline the procedure when Identifying exhibits.•State the elements contained in the mneumonic ADVOKATE.