The police blotter documents clues to crimes that have been committed previously.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not applicable
• D. It depends on jurisdiction

Answer: (B)

The police blotter serves as a daily log of police activity that records incidents as they are reported, including clues and evidence tied to crimes that have already occurred or are in progress. It provides a chronological account—time, place, nature of the incident, and any leads or findings from responding officers—so investigators can understand what happened and how the case is developing. Because the blotter’s purpose is to document events after they occur, saying it documents clues to crimes that have been committed previously aligns with its typical use. Variations in format or terminology by jurisdiction don’t change this core function; the blotter generally reflects post‑incident information to support ongoing investigations.