Which is NOT part of the elements of a good report?

• A. Timeliness
• B. Factual
• C. Clear
• D. Complete

Answer: (A)

A good report is defined by how it communicates essential information: it must be factual, clear, and complete. Being factual means sticking to what was observed or verified, avoiding speculation or unsubstantiated claims, so readers can trust the account and link it to evidence. Clarity ensures the narrative is easy to understand, with a logical flow that lets a reader follow what happened, who was involved, where and when events occurred, and how decisions were reached. Completeness means including all necessary details that support the incident’s timeline, actions taken, and results, so nothing essential is left out that a supervisor, investigator, or prosecutor might need. Timeliness matters for workflow and prompt action, but it relates to when the report is filed rather than the quality of the information it contains. So, while timely submission is important, it is not considered a core element of the report’s content quality.