Domestic Violence Checklist
(Primary Investigation Guidelines)
1. Upon Arrival at scene
Determine location and condition of
victim
Determine if suspect is still at scene
Check well being, physical condition of all
parties
Determine what, if any, criminal offense
has occurred
Determine if any weapon was involved
Summon First Aid if injuries require
2. Preliminary Investigation
Interview victim & suspect separately
Ask victim if there is history of abuse
If children at scene, interview them
separately
Distinguish primary aggressor from
victim, if both injured
Note & document emotional & physical
condition of parties involved
Note demeanor of suspect
Note torn clothing by both parties
If victim is a woman, note smeared
makeup
Note signs of injury on victim
Note any excited utterances by any
parties present
Note any evidence of substance/chemical
abuse
Advise victim of domestic violence rights
Assist victim in completing victim
notification form
Advise victim of available resources
Assist victim in obtaining temporary
domestic violence restraining order
3. Court Orders
Determine if victim has restraining order
Was restraining order served on suspect
Determine if suspect in violation of court
order
4. Arrest
If criteria for mandatory arrest present,
arrest suspect
If probable cause not present for arrest by
officer, advise victim of right to sign
criminal complaint
Record spontaneous statement of suspect
Prevent communication between
suspect & victim/witness
Record alibi statement of suspect
Advise suspect of rights
Record all statement
5. Evidence
Record condition of crime scene
Photograph damaged property
Photograph crime scene
Identify weapons//firearms
Photograph and diagram injuries of
victim
suspect
Obtain statements of
victim
children
witnesses
6. Medical Treatment
Transport victim to hospital, if necessary
Obtain copy of EMT report
Obtain medical release from victim,
if appropriate
7. Completing Incident Report
✓ Maintain objectivity in reporting
✓ Avoid personal opinions
✓ Report details, not conclusions
__ Ensure that elements of all involved criminal
offenses are included in report
__ Describe in detail nature of criminal offense
involved
Document any injuries that victim suffered
Document any injuries that suspect suffered
Document past history of violence
Record spontaneous statements as stated
by parties - do not paraphrase
Record reasons why weapons were seized
for safekeeping
This card, prepared by the Division of Criminal
Justice, provides guidelines for officers
responding to domestic violence incidents. This
DV checklist is intended to assist officers by
highlighting common investigative procedures.
Statutory Definitions
Victim of Domestic Violence - N.J.S.A. 2C:25-19
✓ Any person who is
•18 years of age or older, or
•emancipated minor, and
who has been subjected to domestic violence
by
•spouse
•former spouse
•any other person who is a present or
former household member, or
✓ any one who, regardless of age, has
been subjected to domestic violence by
•a person with whom the victim has a
child in common, or
•a person with whom the victim
anticipates having a child in common,
because the victim or abuser is
pregnant, or
✓ any one who, regardless of age, has
been subjected to domestic violence by a
person with whom the victim has had a
dating relationship.
Mandatory Arrests - N.J.S.A. 2C:25-21a
Victim shows signs of injury caused by an act
of domestic violence
A warrant is in effect
Defendant has violated no contact order
Defendant used or threatened to use a
weapon
Determining Primary Aggressor
When both parties are injured, officer
should determine which party was the
domestic violence assailant. Officer should
consider
Comparative extend of injuries suffered
History of domestic violence between parties
The nature or type of wounds sustained
Other relevant factors
✓ Officer must keep in mind that a person has
a right to defend self if attacked by another
person
