What is a "field interview" card used for?

A "field interview" card is primarily used to record information obtained during casual interactions with suspects or individuals in the field. This practice is essential for law enforcement as it allows officers to document observations, responses, and any pertinent details that might assist in future investigations or inform their current activities.

In these interactions, officers may not have probable cause to detain individuals but can still gather valuable information that could help establish a pattern of criminal behavior or connect persons to ongoing investigations. The structured documentation on a field interview card helps maintain a clear record that can be referenced later, enhancing overall case management.

The other options pertain to distinct activities: documenting evidence during a traffic stop focuses specifically on tangible items or proof relevant to a case; filing charges against a defendant involves legal processes outside of field interviews; and noting details of an arrest is related to formal procedures following an apprehension, rather than informal interactions in the field.