What should be avoided in the written report?

What should be avoided in the written report?

• A. Observations about the environment only.
• B. Statements of personal judgment or opinions concerning the child or the alleged perpetrator.
• C. Verifiable facts about injuries.
• D. Dates and times of events.

Answer: (D)

Keep the report objective and fact-based. In written documentation about suspected abuse, describe only what you can observe or what someone has directly stated, using neutral language about the child or the alleged perpetrator. Personal judgments, opinions about motives, or conclusions about guilt should not appear in the report because they can bias the reader and harm the investigation. Instead, focus on observable details and verifiable facts—what you saw, what the child reported, exact injuries with measurements if possible, and a clear timeline with dates and times. Including neutral descriptions of the environment can provide helpful context, but it should be stated plainly. This approach preserves credibility and ensures the report is useful to investigators.

Keep the report objective and fact-based. In written documentation about suspected abuse, describe only what you can observe or what someone has directly stated, using neutral language about the child or the alleged perpetrator. Personal judgments, opinions about motives, or conclusions about guilt should not appear in the report because they can bias the reader and harm the investigation. Instead, focus on observable details and verifiable facts—what you saw, what the child reported, exact injuries with measurements if possible, and a clear timeline with dates and times. Including neutral descriptions of the environment can provide helpful context, but it should be stated plainly. This approach preserves credibility and ensures the report is useful to investigators.