Evidence
Logging checklists
Three side-by-side checklists for the three places your evidence has to land: the police log, the CPS prosecution file, and the family court bundle. Each shows exactly what to record and which documents to attach.
Information only. This is not legal advice. Court procedures and the law change. Always confirm with a solicitor, Citizens Advice, or a domestic abuse advocate before acting.
Police report log
For every 999/101 call-out, arrest, or station report.
Police must record every reported crime under the Home Office Counting Rules and the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS). Keep a parallel record so nothing is lost between officers, shifts, or forces.
What to record
- Date & time of incident24-hour clock; separate from the time you reported it.
- Date & time of reportWhen you called 999/101 or attended station.
- CAD / incident numberAsk the call handler — quote it in every follow-up.
- Crime reference (CRIS) numberIssued once recorded as a crime; different from CAD.
- Officer name, collar/shoulder number, forcePlus the OIC (Officer in the Case) once allocated.
- LocationFull address, room, or what3words; note CCTV/doorbell coverage.
- What happened — your wordsFree narrative, chronological, include quotes verbatim.
- InjuriesEach injury, body location, pain score, photographed yes/no.
- Strangulation / suffocationNow a standalone offence — s.75A Serious Crime Act 2015. Always flag.
- WitnessesNames, contact details, what they saw/heard.
- Children present or in the homeNames, ages — triggers safeguarding referral.
- Weapons / threats usedType, words used, whether displayed or implied.
- DASH risk grading givenStandard / Medium / High — ask the officer to tell you.
- MARAC referral made?Required for high-risk cases; ask for confirmation.
- Bail / release conditionsGet them in writing; note any breach immediately.
- Action takenArrest, voluntary interview, no further action, NFA reason.
- Next steps promised + deadlineBody-worn review, statement appointment, update call.
Documents to attach
- Photos of injuries (day 0, 24h, 72h)Bruising darkens — repeat photos prove progression.
- Photos of damaged property / sceneCorroborates account; preserves before clean-up.
- Screenshots of threatening messagesFull thread, sender visible, with timestamps.
- Call/SMS logsPattern of contact, especially post-bail conditions.
- Doorbell / CCTV / dashcam clipsIndependent visual evidence — request preservation in writing.
- Medical / A&E discharge notesContemporaneous record of injuries and your account.
- SARC examination reportFor any sexual offence — even without police report.
- Clothing / physical items (bagged, unwashed)Forensic recovery; hand to police, get a property receipt.
- Written witness accountsShort signed and dated notes while memory is fresh.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Don't accept 'civil matter' or 'no crime' without a written rationale — request a crime recording review.
- If declined a CRIS number, ask why in writing — undercounting is a long-standing HMICFRS concern.
- Stalking (s.2A/s.4A PHA 1997) and coercive control (s.76 SCA 2015) are either-way offences — there is NO six-month time bar; insist they are not downgraded to summary-only harassment.
- Common assault charged under s.39 CJA 1988 in a DA context can be laid up to 2 years after the offence (s.39A CJA 1988, inserted by s.49 PCSCA 2022) — refuse 'too late' excuses.