Karl Floyd R Bognadon Advance Science in Criminalistics
MSCJSC Student Dr. Gerardo K Tumbaga Sr., LLB
Topic: Investigative Processes
Learning Objectives:
To learn essential elements of crime scene investigation.
To learn the processes in Firearms Identification.
To learn the processes in Fingerprint Identification.
To learn the types of physical evidence that can be encountered by the crime
scene investigator at the crime scene.
To determine the Biological Evidence Amenable for DNA Analysis.
To identify the key concepts in Questioned Documents and Digital Evidence.
To learn the protocols in Crime Scene Investigation.
Introduction
The investigative process is more than a rigid set of procedures. Intuition and
creativity play as great a role for the forensic examiner as do sound
methodologies. Fact-finding in a wildly diverse technological realm requires a
great degree of technical prowess as well as a flexible mind; forensic examiners
often must be artisans of technology creation and deconstruction. Raw
technology skill does not empower an investigator to understand the interaction
of man and machine: Intuitive awareness of how the tools of technology and
human nature, human thought processes, and human frailties interact allows for
much of the artistry and creativity of forensic investigation to be revealed.
- Rohd Gehl, 2017
Investigative processes
The investigative process is a progression of activities or steps moving from
evidence gathering tasks, to information analysis, to theory development and
validation, to forming reasonable ground to believe, and finally to the arrest
and charge of a suspect.
Crime Scene Investigation
Is a comprehensive inquiry of a crime by conducting systematic procedure of
various investigative methodologies which involves recovery of physical and
testimonial evidence for the purpose of identifying the witnesses, and arrest
of perpetrator(s) for prosecution. CSI shall technically commence upon the
arrival of the FRs and conclude with the lifting of the security cordon and
release of the crime scene by the IOC.
Physical Evidence
Ballistics - It is the science dealing with the motion of projectiles in flight and the
conditions governing that motion or the study of natural laws relating to the
performance of gunpowder and projectiles in firearms.
Forensic Ballistics - Is one branch of ballistics which refers to the investigation and
identification of firearms by means of ammunition fired
through
them.
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Division Of Forensic Ballistics
Field Investigation – It concerns mostly with the collection, marking,
preservation, packing and transmission of firearms
evidences including the study of the class characteristics
of firearms and bullets.
Technical Examination – Examination of bullets and/or shells whether they
were fired from also whether or not cartridges were
loaded and ejected by the suspected firearm
submitted.
Firearms - is any instrument used for the propulsion of projectiles by means of
expansive
force of gasses coming from burning gunpowder.
- Section 877 of the Revised Administrative Code
- Section 290 of the National Internal Revenue Code
- (Art. I, Sec. 3 of RA 10591)
Firearms Identification - is a discipline of forensic science which has its primary
concern to determine if a bullet, cartridge case or other
ammunition component was fired by a particular firearm.
Firearms as evidence - “every firearm tells a story”
Classification Of Firearm
- Firearms are classified on the following basis:
1. Bore Characteristics
2. Mechanical Construction
3. Use Characteristics
4. Power Characteristics Pursuant to 8294
5. Use Characteristics
Ammunition/ Cartridge
- It is a complete unfired unit consisting of bullet, cartridge case, gunpowder and
the primer.
Types Of Cartridges
Pin-fire
Rim-fire
Center-fire
Rimmed Type
Semi-rimmed Type
Rimmed Less Type
Two Principles of Firearms Identification
1. Bullet Identification
- No two barrels are microscopically identical as the surfaces of their
bores all possess individual and characteristic markings of their own.
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
2. Cartridge Case/ Shells Identification
- The breech face and the striker (firing pin) of every single firearm have
microscopic individualities of their own.
Two Governing Characteristics in Firearms Identification
1. Class Characteristics
Those characteristics that are determinable prior to the manufacture of the
firearms.
2. Individual Characteristics
Markings peculiar or distinct in a particular firearm are markings which are
determinable after the manufacture of the firearm and whose existence is brought
about by the tools used in their manufacture and machine operation resulting
through wear, tear, abuse, mutilation, corrosion, erosion and other fortuitous
causes.
Problems In Firearms Identification
- Evidence bullet - Identification of the caliber, type and possible make of
firearm.
- Fixed cartridge (empty shell) - Identification of the caliber, type and possible
make of firearm.
- Two or more bullets - Determination whether the said bullets were fired from
one and the same firearm.
- Evidence bullet and suspected firearm - Identification whether the bullet was
fired from the firearm.
- Cartridge case (shell) and suspected firearm - Determination whether the
spent shell was fired from the
same firearm.
- Firearms - Serviceability tests, determination of its authenticity, classification
pursuant to RA 8294.
- Ammunition - Serviceability tests
Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS)
Scan test/standard bullets and cartridge cases of firearms. Store in database
Scan evidence bullet/cartridge cases recovered from crime scene. Stored in
the database.
Gunshot Residue
How do we determine the presence of gunshot residue in an individual?
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is a white or colorless
soft, solid wax. It's made from saturated
hydrocarbons. It's often used in skin-
softening salon and spa treatments on
the hands, cuticles, and feet because it’s
colorless, tasteless, and odorless. It can
also be used to provide pain relief to sore
joints and muscles.
Pattern Evidence
Dactyloscopy
- It is the procedure of personal identification based on the study and examination
of the patterns that from arches, loops and whorls on the fingertips, the palms of the
hands and the soles of the feet, as the method.
Fingerprint
- The most positive means of personal identification.
Principles of Fingerprints:
1. Individuality - the complex of the ridge details in a single fingerprint or even
part one is not duplicated in any other finger.
2. Permanency - fingerprints do not change throughout the life time of an
individual until the skin was decomposed.
3. Infallibility - fingerprint is “Incapable of Error,”
Important Points to be Considered in Taking Legible Fingerprints
- Cleanliness of equipment;
- The right kind and correct amount of ink; and
- Proper distribution of ink on the glass slab or inking plate.
Equipment Needed in Taking Fingerprints Impression
Finger print roller
Fingerprint ink
Card Holder
Glass slab or inking plate
Table size
Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
Function of AFIS
Ten print Inquiry (TI)
Latent Inquiry (LI)
Offense Inquiry (TLI)
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Serial Crimes (LLI)
AFIS Database
Ten Print Data Base – contains the entire ten print specimens from arrested
suspects and from all individuals seeking for police
clearance for the travel abroad purposes.
Latent Print Data Base – contains the chance prints taken at the crime scene.
Procedures in Taking Standard Fingerprint Specimen
Police Station
District Crime Laboratory
Fingerprint Identification Division
Automated Fingerprint Identification System
Methods of Preservation of Fingerprints and Lifting/Developing Latent Prints
Preservation by photography
Fingerprints found at the crime scene should be preserved by photography before
any attempt to collect.
Preservation of plastic or mold fingerprints
If removing the plastic print poses a special problem, it should be photographed
using oblique light to bring out as much detail as possible, and then process by an
appropriate casting material.
Preservation of Fingerprints by Lifting Tape
Using a special transparent cellophane tape is the most common method of
collecting latent fingerprint evidence.
Marking and identifying fingerprint lift
The card should be marked with the date, case number, address of the crime scene,
name of collector who lifted the print, exact place of the lift, and the type of the
object that it was lifted from.
Foot Wear Prints and Tire Prints
Trace evidence
Trace Evidence are pieces of physical evidence in minute quantities transferred
unknowingly through physical contact.
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
- Locard’s principle
Hair Evidence
- Hair is defined as slender outgrowth of the skin of mammals. It is an appendage
of the skin that grows out of an organ known as hair follicle.
Fiber Evidence
- Fiber is the smallest unit of a textile that has a length many times greater than its
diameter. Fibers average less than 0.05 cm (0.02 inch) in diameter.
Glass and Glass Fractures
Paint Evidence
- Paint primarily consists of a pigment and an organic vehicle or solvent.
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Ultraviolet Examination
- Ultraviolet examination makes use of ultraviolet radiation with wavelength
ranging from 200-400 nanometers. It is a valuable tool in the conduct of
entrapment cases
Soil Evidence
Soil is a heterogeneous mixture made up of dead organic matter, rock fragments
or mineral particles of various sizes, clay and living organisms which can be
viewed under the microscope.
Forensic examination of soil
Physical Examination
a) Microscopic test will determine the presence of foreign particles like
glass fragments, paint chips and others in the questioned sample.
b) Texture determination will determine the classification of soil.
c) Color comparison of soil is performed to differentiate the color of the
standard and questioned soil samples
d) Density determination is obtained using the Density Gradient Column
technique.
Soil is frequently found clothing, shoes, or tools and in the wheel wells of
vehicles.
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Toolmark Evidence
Toolmarks are scratches and/or impressions that are left on an object that is
softer than the object or tool that caused the marks. Tools are any object capable
of making an impression on another solid object. Examples include axes, knives,
hammer, screwdrivers, chisels, crowbars, pliers, cutters, etc.
Macro-Etching
Macro-etching is an application of chemical
solution on the metal surface where the serial
number is normally located and observing any
reaction that may take place.
Biological Evidence
DEOXYRIBO NUCLEIC ACID
DNA is our genetic blueprint
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Physical vs Biological Evidence
Physical evidence is any tangible object that can
connect an offender to a crime scene. Biological
evidence, which contains DNA, is a type of physical
evidence. However, biological evidence is not
always visible to the naked eye.
Applications of DNA Analysis
Criminal Investigations – matching suspect with
evidence
Parentage Testing -- identifying parent(s)
Historical investigations
Missing persons investigations
Mass disasters – positive identification of the deceased
Military DNA “dog tag”
Convicted felon DNA databases
Sources of Biological Samples:
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Why is DNA evidence useful in criminal investigation?
DNA testing has become an established part of criminal justice procedures, and
the admissibility of DNA in court is routine.
Where can DNA evidence be found at a crime scene?
ANYWHERE
DNA Evidence is Transfer Evidence
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Steps in DNA Analysis
1. Collection of Sample
2. Documentation& Screening
3. Extraction of DNA
4. DNA Amplification
5. Running of samples for Visualization
6. Data Interpretation and Report Making
7. Releasing of Report
Use of DNA in forensic entomology
Forensic entomology is a very important
aspect for law enforcement. With the
magnitude of information that can be
gathered, investigators can more
accurately determine time of death,
location, how long a body has been in a
specific area, if it has been moved, and
other important factors. As a result, forensic entomology can be used by law
enforcement officials as a tool in numerous cases.
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Digital/Electronic Evidence
RA 10175 “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012”
RA 8484 “Access Devices Regulation Act”
RA 8792 “E-Commerce Act of 2000”
RA 9995 “Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism”
RA 9775 “Anti-Child Porn of 2009”
First Filipino Convicted in Hacking
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Questioned Documents
Any document about which some issues have been
raised or under scrutiny with respect to its
genuineness and its origin.
Document
Any material which contains mark,
symbols or signs, either visible or
invisible, that may presently or ultimately
convey meaning or message to
someone.
Microscopic Examination
Stereoscopic examination with low and high-power
objectives is used to detect retouching, patching and
unnatural pen lift in signature analysis.
Stereoscopic Examination
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
Transmitted Light Examination
Documents are subjected to this type of examination to determine the presence
of erasures.
Photographic
Examination
This type of examination is
very essential in every
document examination.
Ultra-Violet Examination
Electrostatic Detection
Apparatus
Detects indention/ indented
writings.
Decided Cases
G.R. No. 139857 September 15,
2006
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon
LEONILA BATULANON, petitioner,
vs.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, respondent.
G.R. No. L-7236 April 30, 1955
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellant,
vs.
PO GIOK TO, defendant-appellee.
Drugs
Quantitative Analysis
- A test that can estimate the amount of drug in a
specimen.
Qualitative Analysis
- A qualitative test indicates the presence or
absence of a substance.
Alcohol
Field Sobriety Test
- There are three Field Sobriety Tests, which are
standardized tests to initially assess and determine
intoxication, namely: the eye test (horizontal gaze
nystagmus), the walk-and-turn and the one-leg stand.
Breath Analyzer
- A device used by police for measuring the amount of
alcohol in a driver’s breath.
By: Karl Floyd R Bognadon