TECHNICAL ENGLISH 2 (LEGAL FORMS)

DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Assumption – pertains to the belief of somebody that something is true without having any proof.

2. Chronological Order – refers to the arrangement of events and/or actions in the order or by the time of their occurrence.

3. Communication – the use of language, spoken or written to exchange ideas or transfer information. It includes the use of non-verbal language (sign, symbol) to exchange ideas or transfer information.

4. Coherence – means logically or aesthetically consistent so that all the separate facts or information fit together and add up to a harmonious or credible whole report.5. Conclusion – pertains to a decision made or an opinion formed after considering relevant facts or evidence.

6. Corpus Delicti – refers to the body of facts that show that a crime has been committed, including physical evidence such as corpse.

7. Facts – refers to anything which either through carefulobservation or investigation, has been proven to exist as to have happened.

8. Hearsay – pertains to information that is heard from other people.

9. Jargon – refers to the language or technical term that is used by a group, profession, or culture, especially when the words and phrases are not understood or used by other people.

10. Logical – is a characteristic or trait which one is able to think sensibly and come to a rational conclusion based on facts rather than emotion.

11. Narrative – pertains to the story or an account of a sequence of events in the order in which they happened.

12. Note taking – Is a brief notation concerning specific events while fresh in one’s mind and used to prepare a report.

13. Opinion – refers to a personal view about an issue especially when it is based on personal judgement.

14. Proofreading – is a way of reading the proofs of a text and marking corrections to be made.15. Reporting – is a way of knowingly passing along information to someone else

16. Report Writing – is a communication that lends itself to a useful tool for people in a free society to express their thoughts and ideas and to obtain what they need or want.

17. Slang – pertains to the words, expressions and usage that are casual, vivid, racy or playful replacement for standard ones which are often short-lived and are usually considered unsuitable for formal context.

18. Surveillance – refers to the discreet observation of places, person, and vehicles for the purpose of obtaining information concerning the identity or activities of the subjects.19. Tone – is a written attitude toward a subject, an audience and the self.

20. Verbal – is a way of using words, especially spoken words as opposed to pictures or physical action.

Two types of Police Report

Informal Report – usually is a letter or memorandum or any one of many prescribed or used in day-by-day police operations. It customarily carries three items besides the text proper, date submitted, subject, and persons or person to whom submitted. It may, however, contain many items of administrative importance along with the subject matter of the text. Actually, most police reports may be placed in this category.Two types of Police Report

Formal Report – suggest a full-dress treatment, including cover, title page, letter of transmittal, summary sheet, text, appendix, and perhaps an index and bibliography.

How are Police Reports Categorized

Operational Report – include those relating to the reporting of police incidents, investigation, arrests, identification of persons, and a mass of miscellaneous reports necessary to the conduct of routine police operations.

Internal Business Report – relate to the reporting necessary to the management of the agency and include financial reports, personnel reports, purchase reports, equipment reports, property maintenance reports, and general correspondence.Technical Reports – presents data on any specialized subject, but usually relate to completed staff work and add to the specific knowledge necessary to proper functioning of police reports management.

Summary Reports – furnish intelligence information necessary to the solution of crime accident, and police administrative problems.

What are the Elements of a Crime toHappen?

“For any crime to happen, there are three (3)elements or ingredients that must be present at the same time and place. These are the MOTIVES, the INSTRUMENTALITIES, and the OPPORTUNITIES. The motives are the reasons or causes why a person or groups of persons perpetuate a crime. Examples are disputes, economic gain, jealousy, revenge, insanity, and thrill. Intoxication, drug addiction and many others.

Instrumentalities – are the means orinstruments used in the commission ofthe crime. It could be firearm, a bolo, a fan knife; an ice pick, poison or obnoxious substance, a craw bar, a battery operated hand drill for car napping, motor vehicle, etc. Both the motives and instrumentalities belonto and are harbored and wielded respectively by the criminal.

Opportunities – consist of the acts of omission and/ or commission by a person (the victim) which enable another person or group of persons (the criminal) to perpetrate the crime. Illustrative examples include leaving one’s home or car unattended for a long time, walking alone in a well-known crime prone alley, wearing expensive jewelries in slum area, readily admitting a stranger into one’s residence and the like. Opportunity is synonymous with carelessness, acts of indiscretion and lack of crime prevention-consciousness on the part of the victim.

Motives – a reason for doing something,especially one that is hidden or not obvious. “A motive for his murder”

FIVE ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

1. PRECISION

2. BREVITY

a. Use the simple, familiar and concrete words

b. Short Sentences

c. Make your paragraph direct to the point

3. ORIGINALITY

4. VIVIDNESS

5. STYLE

10 BASIC RULES IN WRITING LEGALS

FORMS

1. Always be specific with the proper title of the document

2. State the personal circumstances of the parties involved

3. States operational clauses in separate or numbered paragraph

4. Be precise but concise in writing the legal document

5. Avoid pronouns

6. Indicate the place and date of execution, if necessary

7. Always use the proper punctuation mark

8. Be wary of your grammar and the proper use of the English language

9. Organize your writing style

10. Polish your work before submitting your legal forms

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF REPORTS TO BE PREPARED

INITIAL OR PRELIMINARY REPORT – this is done as soon as complaint is received. Reporting process begins when officer completes preliminary investigation report referred to as case report.

CASE REPORT – Refers to the initial details listing of the facts of the case.

THE PRELIMINARY REPORTS CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING:

1. The Offense

2. Current date / time

3. Date and time of offense if known

4. Identification date pertaining to victim or other reporting party

5. Location of offense

6. Method of operation

7. Identification date pertaining to suspect(s)

8. Identification of officer(s)

PROGRESS REPORT – Describe progress of the investigation from time to time and ensures constant follow-ups.

Termination of investigation may be done due to:

1. Lack of leads, hence case is suspended.

2. Awaiting for further developments and gathering of evidence.

3. Closed – perpetrators arrested and case filed in the proper court of jurisdiction.

FINAL INVESTIGATION REPORT – is rendered when case is completed, that is complainant(s), witnesses, sufficiency of evidences and perpetrators are identified so as to warrant filing of case and/or termination of investigation due to

circumstances listed above.THANK YOU!!