Sample Observation Log
When making notes in the attached log, please keep in mind that the more detailed you can be, the better. You should write down enough information so that several months from now, you will be able to tell clearly what you saw. The questions below have been prepared just to help you focus. Don't let this list scare you off.'
REMEMBER, ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO RECORD THE DATE AND TIME.
Where: What address were you observing? Where specifically was the activity taking place? (front, rear, side, stoop, porch, yard, sidewalk, etc.)
What: - What did you see?
- -What attracted your attention to the property at that time? (noise, crowd, yelling)
- -What was the lighting like? (How well could you make out objects and people?)
- -How many people were visible?
- -What were they doing?
- -Did you see anyone taking money? If so, what did they do after taking the money?
- -How many people were "served" while you were watching?
- -What did people do while waiting to be served?
- -What did they do afterwards? (go into another building, leave)
- -Was the server using a stash? If so, what did it look like and where was it?
- -Did you see the "server" pass what you believed to be drugs? What did you see?
- -A vial or bag?
- -Size, shape, color of container. Size, shape, color of contents
- -Describe how the drugs were passed. (hand to hand, through the window, left for pick-up)
- -Did buyers come by car? If they were served in their cars, describe:
- -model, type, color of the car
- -driver, passengers if possible
- -Write down tag number.
- -If you could only see traffic going in and out:
- -How many people entered within a given time (hour, day) -How long did people stay?
- -Was there anything unusual about them? (Swollen hands, scratchy, sleepy, dazed, jittery, etc)
- -Did they enter one at a time or in groups?
- -If people waited outside, did it appear they were waiting for the drug sale, or were they waiting for their turn to enter, or both?
- -If you think the house is being used as a place to take drugs, not to sell them, explain what you have seen that makes you think so.
Hear: If you could hear anyone, what did you hear, and who said it?
Who: Did it appear that more than one person was involved in the operation? Was there:
- -a hawker, a server, a person collecting money, a lookout, or a gunman or "muscle"?
- -Did you recognize anyone? By what name do you know them?
- -Can you describe the people you saw, but do not know?
- Include: height, build, complexion, age, hair style, facial hair, and type of clothing.