evidence
Incident Log Example
A sample incident log showing how to record events clearly and neutrally.
evidencetemplate
DOCUMENTATION
Incident Log Example
Sample Incident Log Entry
This example shows one way to record a single incident in a neutral, fact-focused way.
- Date: 2025-03-14
- Time: 8:35 p.m.
- Location: Kitchen and hallway of shared apartment
Neutral Description of What Happened
- At approximately 8:25 p.m., I arrived home from work.
- At approximately 8:30 p.m., A.B. entered the kitchen while I was preparing food.
- A.B. raised their voice and stated: “You never answer your phone when I call.”
- I stated: “I did not see your calls; my phone was in my bag.”
- A.B. moved to stand between me and the kitchen doorway.
- At approximately 8:33 p.m., A.B. struck the refrigerator door with a closed fist, causing a visible dent.
- I stepped around A.B. into the hallway and walked to the bedroom.
- At approximately 8:35 p.m., A.B. left the apartment and shut the door loudly.
- After A.B. left, I observed a dent in the refrigerator door that was not present earlier that day.
Focus on what you directly observed: dates, times, statements (in quotation marks), actions, and physical changes or damage.
Witnesses
- C.D., neighbor in Apartment 3B
- Reported hearing loud banging and a door slam around 8:35 p.m.
- Spoke with me in the hallway at approximately 8:40 p.m.
- E.F., building superintendent
- Observed dent in refrigerator door at approximately 9:10 p.m. when requested to look at damage.
Evidence Attached
- Photos:
- Photo 1 – Dent in refrigerator door (taken 2025-03-14 at 8:50 p.m.)
- Photo 2 – Wider view of kitchen showing refrigerator and surrounding area (taken 2025-03-14 at 8:51 p.m.)
- Messages:
- Screenshot – Text messages from A.B. at 7:55 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. stating “Where are you?” and “Answer your phone.”
- Third-party notes:
- Written note signed by C.D. describing what they heard at approximately 8:35 p.m. (dated 2025-03-14).
Follow-Up or Next Steps Logged
- 2025-03-15, 9:00 a.m. – Recorded this incident in my incident log notebook.
- 2025-03-15, 9:20 a.m. – Backed up photos and screenshots to an external drive.
Some people choose to keep incident logs together with other records, such as notes about previous events, copies of messages, or summaries of contacts with any services or professionals. General information on additional supports and tools can be found through resources listed at DV.Support.