SHORTHAND

Shorthand is a more efficient method of recording than longhand because it uses abbreviations, symbols, and characters in the place of letters, words, and phrases in recording what is being dictated. The only equipment needed for this method is pencils and paper.

MULTICHANNEL TAPE RECORDER

The use of a multichannel tape recorder can guarantee that everything said during a particular ^{proceeding is recorded.} The major drawback of this method is that the individuals speaking may not be readily identified when the recording is transcribed and gestures and other nonverbal actions are not recorded at all. The use of a multichannel tape recording system has been found to be useful as a primary system with the incorporation of the reporter notes to add in the missing elements of speaker identification and nonverbal responses and gestures.

REPORTER'S LOG

During the proceedings of an SPCM or a GCM, the reporter is responsible not only for recording verbatim the proceedings of the court but also for noting in the record such items as the stages of examination; time of opening, recessing, closing, and adjournment of the court; and the marking of exhibits.

The reporter's log, Figure 3-1, can be a great aid to you both during and after the court. Use this log in any court-martial you record. The log has a place to fill in all the pertinent data that you will need to help in the transcription of the record of trial.

GENERAL RECORDING INFORMATION AND REPORTING TIPS

In the following paragraphs, you will find some tips to help you produce records of trial that will be consistent and uniform in format. General information on such items as margins, page numbering, abbreviations, grammar, and punctuation is included. Taking a few minutes now to familiarize yourself with these basic rules will save you much time in the future and also enable you to turn out a funished product ready for immediate review. The following information relates primarily to SPCMs and GCMs. We will discuss the preparation of SCM records later in this chapter.

MARGINS

The left margin of th record of trial should be

1 inch (10 picas or 12 elite spaces). The right margin should be set 1/2 inch from the side of the page

(5 picas or 6 elite spaces.) The top margin on all pages should be 2 1/2 inches (15 lines) to allow room for binding with ACCO fasteners. The bottom margin on all pages should end as close to 1 inch (but not more than 2 inches) from the bottom of the page as possible. If the typed text ends more than 2 inches from the bottom of the page, as when it has been necessary to insert an additional partial page of testimony, you must draw a diagonal line from the left margin, starting immediately under the last line of typing to the right margin 1/2 inch from the bottom of the page. The reason for this action is to make the reviewing authorities aware that nothing has been inadvertently omitted from the record.

Figure 3-1.-Reporter's log

Figure 3-1.-Reporter's log-Continued.

Indent two spaces from the left margin for each prefix; for example, TC, DC, PRES, ACCUSED, WITNESS, Q, and A. The second and subsequent lines should be typed flush with the left margin. Examples are as follows:

TC: I object to the last question of the defense on the grounds that it calls for an opinion on the part of the witness.

Q. Could you please relate, to the members of the court, the circumstances surrounding the burglary on the evening in question?