Taking Effective Witness Statements is a practical book on crime investigations with reference to the role of witness statements in such investigations. The book also delves into how a witness should be prepared before a statement is taken, actions by the interviewer and observations during statement taking. Body language and different methods to approach a witness are discussed as well as the goals of interviewing a witness for the purposes of obtaining an effective statement. Taking Effective Witness Statements focuses on different forms of witness statements and deals with: Requirements for a good statement Characteristics of a good statement Practical layout and format of a ststement Language in which a statement is taken Mistakes made by investigators when writing a statement Professional aspects that investigators must satisfy to meet requirements