An officer's field notes can be used in court.

• A. Only if signed
• B. Only if a witness testifies
• C. False
• D. True

Answer: (D)

Field notes are routine records kept by an officer of observations, actions, times, places, and people involved in an incident. They can be used in court as evidence as long as they are properly authenticated and relevant to the case. Authentication means showing that the notes are indeed the author’s and were created in the ordinary course of duty, typically through the officer’s testimony or by a custodian who can testify to their origin and routine practice. The notes don’t have to be signed to be admissible, though a signature can help establish authorship. They can be introduced directly as evidence or offered as part of the business records exception if the proper foundation is laid. So, an officer’s field notes can be used in court.