How to draft and file a crime report (denuncia) with AI

The steps

1. 1.

   Identification of the competent authority

   The crime report must be addressed to the Public Prosecutor's Office at the territorially competent Court or to a judicial police officer. It is advisable to identify the office closest to where the crime was committed to expedite the initial stages of the investigation. The report may be submitted orally, resulting in a written record, or in writing, which is preferable for ensuring detailed accuracy. Although there is no exclusive jurisdiction for receiving the filing, geographical proximity facilitates immediate coordination among law enforcement agencies.

2. 2.

   Identification of the reporting party and the alleged perpetrator

   Full personal details of the reporting party must be included, specifying residence and elected domicile for potential service of process. If the perpetrator is known, all useful identification details, such as full name or descriptive traits, must be provided. If the perpetrator is unknown, the report will be filed against persons unknown, without impairing its procedural effectiveness. The lack of a signature or anonymity prevents the report from being used as evidence, except in the limited cases provided by law.

3. 3.

   Analytical description of the facts

   The statement of facts must be precise, objective, and chronologically structured, avoiding subjective comments or personal evaluations. The time, place, and operational details of the criminal conduct must be clearly indicated, specifying any witnesses or informed persons present. A detailed narrative enables the Public Prosecutor to properly assess the gravity of the event and the relevant offense. It is crucial not to omit any material details, as subsequent additions might appear less credible during the proceedings.

4. 4.

   Legal classification and violated statutes

   Although not mandatory for private citizens, providing a legal classification of the facts assists the investigative authority in directing inquiries toward specific offense hypotheses. The practitioner should indicate the offenses under the criminal code or special legislation alleged to have been violated by the described conduct. Such indication does not bind the Magistrate, who remains free to assign the correct legal classification (nomen iuris). However, properly citing the criminal code articles strengthens the technical structure and robustness of the report during preliminary evaluation.

5. 5.

   Indication of evidentiary sources

   The reporting party should indicate all evidentiary elements known to them, such as documents, photographs, recordings, or electronic communications. It is essential to attach copies of these materials or precisely specify where the authority can retrieve them. Furthermore, the names and contact details of any eyewitnesses who can corroborate the factual sequence should be listed. The completeness of the evidence attached to the report significantly increases the likelihood that the investigation will proceed rather than face immediate dismissal for lack of merit.

6. 6.

   Signature and request for notice under art. 406 c.p.p.

   The document must be signed by the reporting party or their special attorney (procuratore speciale); in the case of an oral report, the record must be signed following its reading. Where the reporting party is also the victim of the crime (persona offesa), it is essential to include an express request to be notified of any application for dismissal or extension of preliminary investigations under Articles 406 and 408 c.p.p. Without such a request, the victim will not be informed of the proceedings' outcome and will lose the right to file an opposition, a remedy unavailable to a mere reporting party. The signature must be authenticated if the report is submitted via registered mail or certified email (PEC), or affixed directly before the receiving officer.

Legal basis: art. 333 c.p.p.art. 331 c.p.p.