ABSTRACT
In order to be of value, it is important the analyst reduce his beliefs and conclusions to a written format. As simple as this might seem, writing reconstruction reports can be quite difficult. This difficulty stems from two basic issues. First, the reconstruction is a compilation of information from various sources and reports. It is not based on a single individual’s efforts. The analyst must have a thorough understanding of these reports and must interrelate specific facts from all of them in order to reach any conclusions in the reconstruction. Second, the reconstruction derives its actual form through a reasoning and logic process; thus a reconstruction is very much a mental product conceived in the mind of the analyst. Logic and reasoning are individual skills, and it is often difficult for the analyst to point out small subtleties in the evidence and evidence relationships. In trying to achieve this, it can become easy for the analyst to lose focus and difficult for others to grasp the analyst’s underlying decision-making process.
