Principles of Investigative Documentation

Told with a wry humor wrought from decades of investigative experience, this book outlines what the authors call the "Five Principles of Investigative Documentation." These principles encompass note taking, running resumes, report writing, statements, and document retention. The book teaches when and how to apply each of these practices during investigations, providing plenty of real-world examples. It also covers important legal concepts, like attorney-client privilege and evidence.
 
However, this book is not just a how-to about documenting investigations. It is also part memoir of its primary author, Philip Becnel, and part philosophical treatise on why anguishing over your documentation shapes you into a more conscientious and impactful investigator. The authors make a case that documentation is an integral part of every investigation, not a thing you do afterward. They argue that reports are the primary, tangible work product of every successful investigation and that document retention, particularly in criminal defense cases, can be a bastion against injustice, an affirmation that your clients' lives matter and that the work you do brings lasting value to society.

Philip Becnel
A private detective since 1999, Philip Becnel heads Dinolt Becnel & Wells Investigative Group LLC, based in Washington, D.C. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from George Mason University and a Master of Criminal Justice from Boston University. He also wrote Introduction to Conducting Private Investigations.

Scott J. Krischke 
Scott J. Krischke has been a practicing criminal defense attorney since 2012. Previously, he did investigations as a journalist and private investigator. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University and a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School. A native of Chicago and New York City, Scott is presently an assistant federal defender in St. Louis.

Alexandra K. Becnel
Alexandra K. Becnel has done investigations since 2015, both as a mitigation specialist and private investigator. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art from the Maryland Institute College of Art, a Master's in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the University of Baltimore Law Review and a Maryland State Bar Association Business Law Fellow.