Recording observations of nonverbal material should be done how?

Recording observations of nonverbal material should be done how?

• A. Based on personal impression alone.
• B. Only if the witness seems nervous.
• C. Never.
• D. According to agency policy, not stating opinions but facts.

Answer: (D)

Recording nonverbal observations must follow agency policy and be factual, not opinion-based. Document observable behaviors you can verify—for example, pace of speech, hand movements, posture, eye contact, or facial expressions—without inferring meaning. Include context like time, location, and who was present to ground the notes in the scene. This approach helps prevent bias, keeps notes consistent and reliable, and supports their usefulness in investigations or proceedings. Relying on personal impressions, noting observations only when someone seems nervous, or omitting nonverbal material altogether can introduce subjectivity, missing details, and questions about fairness, which is why recording nonverbal material as facts per policy is the correct practice.

Recording nonverbal observations must follow agency policy and be factual, not opinion-based. Document observable behaviors you can verify—for example, pace of speech, hand movements, posture, eye contact, or facial expressions—without inferring meaning. Include context like time, location, and who was present to ground the notes in the scene. This approach helps prevent bias, keeps notes consistent and reliable, and supports their usefulness in investigations or proceedings. Relying on personal impressions, noting observations only when someone seems nervous, or omitting nonverbal material altogether can introduce subjectivity, missing details, and questions about fairness, which is why recording nonverbal material as facts per policy is the correct practice.