Client Release and Permission Forms
It helps to have forms that will cover both you and the client in many different types of situations. Some forms protect you or the client. Others simply spell out the procedures and clarify gray areas. As groups gain experience, they may feel the need to clarify or change their basic forms.
A good form covers you legally and tends to reassure clients that they are in the hands of pros who are looking out for their best interests. Clients in museums, historic houses, or homes with expensive furnishings appreciate the reassurance that furnishings and infrastructure will be handled responsibly.
Types of Forms
There are two basic types of forms — those you use when dealing with clients and those you use within your organization. The forms used by clients should always be in duplicate or even in triplicate.
CLIENT FORMS
Client Questionnaire
Permission to Investigate
Client Interview
Client Confidentiality Agreement
Evidence Release or No Release
Client Summary Report
Follow-Up Questionnaire
INTERNAL ORGANIZATION FORMS
Investigation Report
Location History
Incident Report
Activity Log
Investigators Private
Evidence Review Findings
When clients are anxious about activities that are going on around them — especially if they feel paranoid, watched, or threatened — the investigator's primary initial role is to calm and reassure the client's fears. His biggest fear may be the thought of being gossiped about or ridiculed in the community. If that's the case, reassure him that the confidentiality agreement means all of his information will remain secret. He may also worry that his home will be damaged if he lets a bunch of strangers run loose in it. Part of any agreement between the client and the investigators should cover what behavior is expected of the team as they conduct the investigation. If the client wants to add something to the contract specifying that personal items may not be touched or duct tape will not be used in certain locations, the client's agreement should contain these requests.
You can make these forms yourself if you're handy on the computer. If you aren't, search for them on the Internet. Be sure to have a copy for the client and a copy for the group. All parties to the agreements should sign both.
