Types of reports

Findings are typically presented in writing, but they can also be accompanied by various types of in-person presentations. There are several types of reports, depending on the nature of the investigation. The first is an internal report. These reports are formal but do not require specific legal formatting or standard language. The second is an affidavit, which is a sworn statement that can be admitted as evidence in court. The third is a declaration. Declarations are intended as statements of facts that are submitted to a court. The fourth is an expert report, and this is evidence that can be submitted by a subject matter expert about a particular set of facts and findings in a case. The forensic investigator can also be called to provide an in-person presentation based on the report, which can be in the form of a deposition, testimony, or a non-legal, question-and-answer meeting.

The following table summarizes the types of reports an investigator may be asked to write:

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