What should an officer obtain to estimate the property values of stolen or recovered goods?

To accurately estimate the property values of stolen or recovered goods, obtaining the victim's estimate of property value is often crucial. Victims are typically the most familiar with their possessions and can provide firsthand accounts of the details and value of the stolen items. Their estimates are based on personal knowledge, including purchase prices, conditions of the items, and any sentimental value that might affect overall worth.

While police reports can contain valuable information and may document incidents and the items involved, they generally do not provide specific monetary valuations of stolen or recovered goods. An insurance appraisal can provide an official value but is likely to represent what the insurance company believes it's worth rather than what the victim perceives its value to be. Lastly, an MVI certificate is related to motor vehicle inspections and does not pertain to estimating the value of stolen or recovered property. Therefore, the victim's perspective is essential for a more accurate evaluation of property values, making it the most effective choice in this scenario.