A place to ask questions and add to probative and informative discussions associated with the various aspects of the field of fire investigation. -- FORUM RULES---BE CIVIL AND NO NAME CALLING, NO BELITTLING, NO BERATING, NO DENIGRATING others. Postings in violation of these rules can be removed or editted to remove the offending remarks at the discretion of the moderators and/or site administrator.
Re: Destruction of notes and data
Posted by:
Joseph Carey (IP Logged)
Date: February 20, 2007 04:39PM
John Lentini started this string by asking, "What purpose, other than to deny the "other” side information, is served by destroying notes? How is destroying notes different from destroying photographs or any other kind of evidence?
Although there have been numberous responses by a handful of people, only a few have chosen to answer John's question and most them are opposed to the destruction of original notes. Without addressing extraneous issues, such as, is it a crime to destroy field notes, how long do I keep them, how do I store them, can anyone give a cogent reason for destroying field notes? Saying it has always been your practice, or it is the practice of your company or agency is not a convincing arguement.
This is an issue continually confronting the 921 committee. It would be useful to have a meaningful discussion by a large segment of the interested community on this issue. This forum seems like a logical place for such a discussion. This thread has gotten very long, yet very few have addressed the original questions. I for one would like to hear your well reasoned response to John's question.
Joseph Carey
Robinson & Cole LLP
Stamford, CT