Investigation services
Witness interviews and statements
Focused interviews, accounts for witness review and supporting documents connected to each statement.
An account for witness review, with relevant supporting annexures.
The right questions. A faithful account.
Commission a single statement, a set of interviews or witness work within a broader investigation. We plan the enquiry around the events the witness may know about and the questions your team needs answered.
Preserve the witness’s source of knowledge.
- Interview planning against the brief and available records.
- Clear distinction between observation, recollection and information from others.
- Chronological statements with relevant supporting records.
- Witness review, correction and recorded signing status.
A usable account with a clear status.
Receive the agreed statement package, relevant annexures and identified gaps or follow-up questions. The handover distinguishes a draft account, a reviewed statement and an executed statement.
The detail behind the enquiry.
Explore the scope, evidence requirements and practical considerations.
Prepare before the interview.
The instruction identifies the questions, relevant period, available records and intended use of the statement. Interview planning considers the witness’s role, opportunity to observe and matters requiring clarification.
Consent, recording, interpreter and accessibility arrangements are considered where relevant and agreed before the interview. A clear brief helps the interview address the required issues without assuming a preferred account.
Keep uncertainty and source distinctions intact.
The account distinguishes what the witness personally saw or heard from what they were told, assumed or inferred. Approximate dates remain approximate. A document may assist recollection, but its contents are not presented as the witness’s independent memory.
Relevant words, actions, dates and supporting records are explored. Where accounts differ, the relevant points are tested fairly and the witness’s response is recorded. Uncertainty is not converted into a precise claim merely to make a chronology read neatly.
Review the statement and connect its records.
The prepared statement is returned for witness review and correction. Referenced documents are identified and linked as annexures where appropriate. Review, correction and signing or attestation status are recorded.
Where a report is also commissioned, the statement and document references are reconciled with it. This allows the instructing team to follow an account through the supporting records and chronology without losing the distinction between witness evidence and investigator analysis.
Before we begin
Practical questions.
Practical questions.
Can we commission one witness statement?
Yes. A single statement or a defined set of interviews can be commissioned. We agree the questions, arrangements and required output before work begins.
Can the witness correct their statement?
Yes. The prepared account is provided for review and correction. Its status is recorded so your team can distinguish a draft, reviewed account and executed statement.
Can supporting documents be included?
Relevant records can be identified and linked as annexures. The statement should explain how the witness knows about the document and distinguish its contents from their independent recollection.
Can interpreter assistance be arranged?
Interpreter and accessibility needs can be discussed when the interview is scoped. Appropriate arrangements and any certification requirements must be confirmed before the work proceeds.
Related services
Who we support
Begin with a clear brief
Define the witness evidence you need.
Outline the questions, witness arrangements and required statement output. We will discuss the scope and next steps.