A sworn statement also known as an affidavit is a written or typed statement of facts taken under an oath. A sworn statement is used due to the facts it contains important information used in investigations. Sworn witness statements differ depending in the use and intention of the document. In terms of criminal investigations, the most common sworn witness statements are the ones taken by police or other members whom are commissioners of oaths. Sworn witness statements can also be used in civil matters but are usually drawn up by legal practitioners. Any person can take a witness’s statement but only when it is sworn as being true to a commissioner of oath does it become a sworn witness statement/affidavit.
An unsworn witness statement is only different in one way in comparison to a sworn witness statement and that is by the fact that it cannot be used to get/obtain warrants. Unsworn witness statements are important because they give us information which can be used to cross-examine and compare facts from witnesses. When using a unsworn witness statement as evidence, there needs to be a substantial amount of other facts to support the statement in court. Some investigators, as
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Accuracy is important because the statement needs to have direct versions of the events which took place. The words being used in the statement needs to be directly linked to the meaning and intention of the witness. There should be no question or confusion in terms of what the witness is trying to say. Accuracy also includes the use of the correct words, sentences, names and titles. Using full sentences in a logical sequence in terms of events which has occurred is also important to give the best idea/picture of what has happened. Drawings and diagrams are also acceptable to help clarify or give a better picture of what happened when it is difficult to use