COLLABORATION IN MAKING NOTES
It is perfectly proper for two or more people who witness the same event to collaborate in the making of their notes. This concept has been given Judicial Authority by his honour, Goddard C.J. when he stated the following:
"Counsel for the appellant suggested to the Police Officers in cross examination that they had collaborated in the making of notes. They denied the suggestion. This court has observed that Police Officers nearly always deny that they have collaborated in the making of notes and we cannot help wondering why they are the only class of society who do not collaborate in such a matter. It seems to us that nothing could be more natural or proper, when two persons have been at an interview with a third person, than that they should afterwards make sure that they have a correct version of what was said. Collaboration would appear to be a better explanation of almost identical notes than the possession of a superhuman memory".
R v Bass 1 A.E.R. (1953) 1064
While it is acceptable for two or more people to collaborate in the making of notes it must be remembered that no two people will perceive the exact same things from a singular experience.
Consequently anything perceived which is unique to a particular individual must be identified as such.
This resource is kindly provided by Wayne Carney of SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP AUSTRALIA.