A CSI report is not a diary entry or a detective’s theory. It’s the objective, permanent record of what was there, what you did, and how evidence moved from scene to storage. Months (or years) after a scene is released, your report becomes the single clearest window into that moment in time. Detectives use it to guide follow-up, lab analysts rely on it for context, prosecutors and defense build arguments from it, judges and jurors reconstruct events with it, and future-you depends on it when memory fades.

Just as important is understanding how your report differs from a first-responder report. Patrol documents the call for service, people involved, and immediate actions taken for safety and control. Your CSI report, by contrast, focuses on the scene itself: its condition on arrival, boundaries and security, what was photographed and sketched, which processing methods were used, who performed them, and the precise details of every item of evidence. It establishes packaging, seals, and the chain of custody at the moment of collection. Think of it as the technical backbone that supports the broader narrative of the case.

The hallmarks of a strong CSI report are clarity, objectivity, and reproducibility. Write in past tense, active voice, and concrete terms (“Photo 12: close-up of shoe impression with scale”) rather than conclusions (“there was a struggle”). Note limitations and inaccessible areas and explain why. Cross-reference your narrative with photo numbers and sketch markers so any competent CSI could repeat your steps and reach the same documented observations.

Done well, your report safeguards admissibility, bolsters credibility on the stand, and prevents gaps that can be exploited in court. In short: if it’s not written, it didn’t happen.

Our upcoming online training event, Mastering CSI Report Writing: From Scene to Courtroom, is coming soon. Get your name on the interest list. Visit forensicscienceacademy.org.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?