More than Intake
Part 1: The Client Questionnaire as the Foundation of Case Investigation
Counterpoint Volume 10: Issue 2 - Article 1 (September 2026)
Jan Semenoff, BA, EMA
Forensic Criminalist
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Information:Article - 2675 words (approximately 14-16 minutes)
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Abstract
Client questionnaires are commonly used to collect names, charges, court dates, and other information needed to open and manage a DUI file. But does the questionnaire actually help investigate the case?
A review of sixteen questionnaires submitted by experienced DUI attorneys revealed that forms described as “intake questionnaires” often perform very different functions. Some are administrative. Others identify legal, medical, or technical issues. Only a few provide the structure needed to reconstruct events, identify alternative explanations, locate corroborating evidence, and preserve information before it disappears.
More Than Intake: The Client Questionnaire as the Foundation of Case Investigation examines why an unstructured client interview may not be enough, how the police investigation can become the organizing framework for the entire case, and how a tiered system of general screening and focused assessment can direct a broader and more reliable inquiry.
The defense investigation should be neither defined nor confined by the police investigation.
(Requires a subscription to Volume 10, or DUIDLA access)
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Counterpoint Volume 10Counterpoint Volume 10 explores the science, controversies, and emerging issues shaping modern alcohol and drug testing. Through expert analysis and real-world courtroom applications, it equips legal and forensic professionals with the knowledge needed to challenge evidence and strengthen their cases. |
