What is statement taking?
We take statements from witnesses in relation to accidents, incidents of theft, complaints, and so on. Statement taking or witness statements as it also referred to, is a document recording evidence of a person, which is signed by that person confirming that the contents of the statement are true.
The statement can record what the witness saw, heard or felt. You can then keep a copy of the statement and it can be used by many regulatory bodies including the courts.
My statements are voluntary, which means you are seeking out my services to create evidence of a particular situation or point in time. They can take the form of written, sound recorded, or video recorded interviews.
Statements that are trusted
Quite often, when it becomes a police matter, the police will take a statement, but it can also assist greatly if the likes of a private investigator takes an additional statement to be presented with the client’s allegation.
My statements, written as a “first person” conversation, follow a professional format that is easy to follow and easy to read.
It is vital for the validity of the statement that all relevant points are covered once the statement is submitted.
We take statements of any nature, including:
What are statements used for?
Statements are normally used for legal purposes and can assist in getting out of a non-beneficial situation.
Sometimes it can be a good idea to have a statement taken at a point in time, with a view of the statement assisting you in the future.
Therefore, we always advise our clients to keep a copy in a safe and secure location. Our statements are valid for many years, however ultimately, it is up to the courts to interpret the documents and their validity.
Guidelines to statement taking
In order to have a statement that holds up in court, engaging the services of a professional can be highly beneficial. The process is quite simple. First, we will meet with you (claimant or witness) and discuss the incident in detail. We call this the ‘witness interview’.
After the witness interview, you will be given the opportunity to check the details and provide corrections before the statement is signed by yourself and the witness-of-the-statement (investigator).
In some cases, we will organise to have an additional witness present during the statement taking. If you have a problem understanding English, we will organise to have an interpreter or translator in attendance. See this link for registered interpreters and translators.
We will also organise to have the right organisations involved to assist with the witness statement process if you are hearing or visually impaired, or other.
Sometimes it can be difficult to put into words your observations, so we could also use diagrams and sketches to attach to the statement.
Finally, we both sign and date the statement declaring the document to be true.
Important parts of statement taking
Things we will never do
We will never attempt to create a statement from a person who is physically or mentally unfit to make a statement. It is important to us that you don’t feel like a suspect but rather, a person who is simply stating the truth about the situation.
Our job is to record accurate notes which will explain the situation in a way that cannot be misinterpreted by other jurisdictions. We will sometimes record the interview to give the statement further power. This will only be done with your prior knowledge and consent.
You can, at any time after the interview, to request a copy of your statement at no extra cost. If you want more information about QLD police witness statements, read this page for more information.
Professional statements help prove a point to police and the courts
Our services are discrete and professional. Helping you document the facts, precisely.
