advice pages

Document check list

This list was produced at a UAI workshop hosted by Merseyside Against Injustice and additions made as we come across other types of document that feature in cases. Your suggestions for additions are very welcome. Please email all comments, suggestions, additions etc. to the site organiser.

A pdf version of this page (better for printing) is available - click here

Record checklist note – this is not a complete list		notes
Police
	Custody records
	video tape recordings of custody suite	wiped after 30 days
	audio tapes of suspect interviews
	complete interview transcripts (note the versions used in trials are usually edited)
	transcripts of interviews of other suspects
	records of other allegations and cases
	previous criminal records of witnesses
	disciplinary records of police officers
	radio control room logs and records
	informer status – registered?	(see case of R. v H & C)
	surveillance logs – original handwritten version
	covert recordings, from surveillance and from police stations
	RIPA application forms	applications for permission to place bugs and make recordings
	search warrants
	search records
	scene of crime logs
	original scene of crime notes, plans, sketches, photos, videos
	forensic logs
	FSS (Forensic Science Service) laboratory logs
	phone usage and cell site records	The development of cell site analysis and its use in numerous cases has rapidly developed into a major category of records
	Policy File	the SIO (senior investigating officer)'s contemporaneous daily record of work done, plans for further investigation, etc.
	SIO (senior investigating officer)’s log
	officers’ pocket books
	desk diaries of CID officers	not disclosed unless requested by solicitor
	CID office diary (or journal)	not disclosed unless requested by solicitor
	witness statements	used – unused – how many made? Any undisclosed?
	Holmes computer records, used in major investigations actions and messages – some handwritten	Home Office Large Major Enquiry System (HOLMES) is a computerised version of MIRSAP (Major Incident Room Standardised Administrative Procedures). To interpret its records, you need to know how the investigation system works. Then you can see whether the investigation was properly conducted.
	aides-memoires: guides for note taking, interviews etc.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
	records of payments made to witnesses	use ‘Subject access disclosure’ under the Data Protection Act – cost £10 sample letter separately available - click here for PDF version or click here for Word version
Social Services records
Probation records
Medical records
Defence (see Law Society's guidance - pdf)
	notes of conferences
	attendance notes
	correspondence with client
	briefs to counsel
	counsel’s advice and opinion
	solicitor’s trial notes
	medical reports
	witness reports
	defence statement(s) - defence case which is provided to the prosecution, sometimes in several versions	Provided so that the CPS can check whether they have any evidence that might support it: ask yourself: what did the defence not include? and, did the CPS disclose everything they should have disclosed in advance?
Court
	Prosecution opening statement	Usually supplied in advance to the defence
	jury bundle
	prosecution exhibits
	judge’s summing up - this is the starting point for arguments about the safety of the conviction after the trial decision	all records of court proceedings are destroyed after 5/6 years
	appeal judgments

Here is another checklist - we don't know its source

PAPERS REQUIRED FOR APPEAL CONSIDERATION

(a) Copy of ALL used evidence.

(b) Copy of ALL UNUSED evidence.

(c) Copy of property register and name of person in charge at time.

(d) ALL collator's cards and information.

(e) ALL photographic video and still evidence, whether used or unused to include undeveloped film, and receipts for issue/purchase of photographic film and the signing out of all equipment.

(f) ALL voice recorded material.

(g) ALL police intelligence reports.

(h) ALL S011 intelligence reports

(i) ALL pre-action reports.

(j) ALL action reports.

(k) Copy of Case policy file.

(l) Copy of police officer's internal reports.

(m) Copy of ALL applications for Public Interest Immunity (PII) certificates.

(n) Copy of ALL evidence/exhibits etc. and list of same that fall under the guise of ( PII) or privileged material.

(o) Copy of ALL pre-interview and interview question sheets and ALL notes made.

(p) Copy of ALL police registration books relevant to the investigation.

(q) Copy of all individual police vehicle logbooks used on investigation.

(r) Copy of ALL applications and authorisations and expense claims for the use of police officer's own vehicles during course of investigation.

(s) Copy of ALL police detention records INCLUDING police surgeon attendance and notes.

(t) Copy of ALL correspondence between police/CPS/courts.

(u) Copy of ALL police officer's notebooks and diaries.

(v) Copy of booking in/out books for Forensic Science Service.

(w) Copy of the HOLMES Computer Index for the investigation.

(x) Instructing trial solicitors briefs to counsel, counsels advice, indictments, attendance notes, medical and psychiatric reports and witness statements for both prosecution and defence and all correspondence between CPS and instructing solicitors and all clients letters etc