Adding Updates

Incidents often develop over time. New information emerges, follow-up actions are taken, or the situation resolves. This guide explains how to add updates to an existing incident.

The Append-Only Model

N4 Safety uses an append-only approach for incident updates:

• Original entries are never modified.
• All updates are timestamped and attributed to the user who added them.
• This preserves the historical record and maintains accountability.

[!NOTE] You cannot edit or delete previous entries. If you made an error, add a new update with the correction.

When to Add an Update

Add an update when:

• New information is discovered.
• A follow-up action is taken (e.g., police contacted, suspect identified).
• Additional attachments are available (e.g., police report received).
• The incident status changes (e.g., Open → Closed).
• People or POCs need to be tagged to the incident.

Available Update Actions

The incident detail view provides four separate controls for adding updates. Each is its own action rather than a single unified form.

Follow-Up Notes

Add a text-only note to the incident timeline. Use this to record new information, actions taken, or leadership decisions.

1. Open the incident detail view.
2. Use the Follow-Up Notes panel.
3. Enter your note and submit.

Add Attachment

Upload a file to the incident record as a separate action.

1. Open the incident detail view.
2. Click Add Attachment.
3. Select and upload the file (PDF, JPG, PNG).

Link POC

Associate a Person of Concern with the incident using a dropdown selector.

1. Open the incident detail view.
2. Use the Link POC control.
3. Select the relevant Person of Concern from the dropdown.

Status Change

Update the incident’s workflow state from the sidebar metadata card.

1. Open the incident detail view.
2. In the sidebar metadata card, locate the Status selector.
3. Choose the new status.

Update Examples

Scenario	Action
Police responded	Add a follow-up note with officer names and case number.
Subject identified	Use Link POC to associate the individual’s profile.
Incident resolved	Change the Status to Closed via the sidebar.
New photo received	Use Add Attachment to upload the surveillance screenshot.

Common Status Transitions

• Open → Under Review — Leadership is investigating.
• Under Review → Closed — Matter resolved or no further action.
• Closed → Open — Reopened due to new information.

See Also

• Filing an Incident — Create a new incident.
• Searching Incident History — Find past records.