Witness statements play a vital role in all forms of criminal investigation, particularly crime scene investigation (CSI) and forensics. Legal practitioners on both sides – prosecution and defence – cannot hope to succeed at trial unless they have properly drafted and executed witness statements. The author of Taking Effective Witness Statements / Afneem van Doeltreffende Getuieverklarings provides in-depth coverage of every stage of the statement-taking process, from preparing the witness before a statement is taken, through observing the body language of the witness during the interview, to compiling a post-interview report.

Taking Effective Witness Statements / Afneem van Doeltreffende Getuieverklarings focuses on different forms of witness statements and provides expert practical guidance on such matters as:

• understanding the requirements of an effective witness statement
• recognising the characteristics of an effective witness statement
• how to format the statement correctly
• what language to use when writing the statement
• common mistakes made in statement taking (and how to avoid them)
• professional qualities of investigators.

• The investigation of crime
• Interviewing witnesses to obtain statements
• Witness statements
• An effective sworn witness statement
• References
• Glossary
• Annexures
• Statement by a private investigator
• Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 16 of 1963
• Regulations governing the administering of an oath or affirmation
• Articles 21, 50 and 250 of the Criminal Procedure Act
• Statement regarding interview with a suspect

• Judges and magistrates
• Legal practitioners
• Law enforcement officials
• Investigators
• Academics