Investigation Procedures

 RULE 15
 Responsibility of the Territorial Police Unit
The Police Unit that has territorial jurisdiction over the area where the armed confrontation occurred shall secure the scene
and immediately undertake the necessary investigation.
SOCO Team to process the Crime Scene
The concern Police Unit shall immediately request the SOCO Team to conduct crime scene processing ( PNP Standard
Operating Procedure No. ODIDM-2011-008 “Conduct of Crime Scene Investigation”)
Standard Operating Procedure Number ODIDM – 2011 – 008
CONDUCT OF CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
 PURPOSE
 Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) is one of the most critical stages of any criminal investigation. The initial actions
taken at the crime scene by the First Responders, Investigators and SOCO Team members at the outset of the
investigation are of such vital importance that oftentimes their actions would determine the outcome of the
investigation. However, while CSI is the most important stage of the investigation in terms of collecting vital forensic
evidence and information, this initial stage is also often the most chaotic and therefore prone to errors.
Scope of application
 This SOP applies to all crime scene investigation undertaken by the PNP and provides the procedures to be
observed by the FRs, IOC, and SOCO Teams as well as the reports formats that they shall be required to prepare.
This procedure shall likewise be observed by the Special Investigation Task Groups (SITG).
Definition of Terms
 Crime Scene - A venue or place where the alleged crime/incident/event has been committed.
 Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) - 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;
 First Responder (FR) – Are members of the PNP or other law enforcement agencies who are mandated and
expected to be the first to respond to calls for assistance in cases of incidents of crime. They generally refer to police
officers who have jurisdiction of the area where the incident or crime has taken place and will proceed to the crime
scene to render assistance to the victim and to protect and secure the incident scene;
 Criminal Investigator – A Police Officer who is tasked to conduct the investigation of all criminal cases as provided
for and embodied under the Revised Penal Code/Criminal Laws and Special Laws. A well-trained, disciplined and
experienced professional in the field of criminal investigation duties and responsibilities;
 Investigator-on-Case (IOC)/ Duty Investigator – Shall refer to any PNP personnel who is duly designated or
assigned to conduct the inquiry of the crime by following a systematic set of procedures and methodologies for the
purpose of identifying witnesses, recovering evidence and arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators. The IOC shall
assume full responsibility over the crime scene during the conduct of CSI;
 Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) – A forensic procedure performed by the trained personnel of the PNP
Crime Laboratory SOCO Team through scientific methods of investigation for the purpose of preserving the crime
scene, gathering information, documentation, collection, and examination of all physical and other forensic evidence;
 After SOCO Report – It is a report rendered and prepared by the Team Leader of the PNP Crime Laboratory SOCO
Team which conducted the scene of the crime operations;
 Crime Scene Search – Is a systematic method employed by the SOCO Team, if the nature of the case is
sensational or sensitive, and the IOC in the conduct of search in the crime scene and in the surrounding areas where
the alleged crime/incident/event has taken place for the purpose of finding and recovering evidence. There are
several methods of crime scene search which can be employed such as strip search, double strip search, spiral
search, zone or quadrant search, wheel method, etc
 Evidence – The means sanctioned by the Rules of Court, of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding the truth respecting
a matter of fact. These include but are not limited to documentary, testimonial, electronic and object evidence,
gathered in the course of the investigation;
  Physical Evidence - Evidence addressed to the senses of the court that are capable of being exhibited, examined,
or viewed by the court. This includes but not limited to fingerprints, body fluids, explosives, hazardous chemicals,
soil/burned debris, bombs, electronic parts used in the commission of the crime;
 Forensic Evidence - A form of legal evidence that can be used in a court of law to convict a person of a crime and
as a category of public presentation; and
 Jurisdiction – The word “jurisdiction” as used in the Constitution and statutes means jurisdiction over the subject
matter only, unless an exception arises by reasons of its employment in a broader sense.
Specific Functions, Responsibilities and Procedures
 The following are the functions and responsibilities of the different players during the crime scene investigation as
well as procedures to be observed:
1. First Responder:
a. The first Police Officers to arrive at the crime scene are the FRs who were dispatched by the local police station/unit
concerned after receipt of incident/flash/alarm report;
b. Immediately, the FR shall conduct a preliminary evaluation of the crime scene. This evaluation should include the
scope of the incident, emergency services required, scene safety concerns, administration of life saving measures,
and establishment of security and control of the scene;
c. The FR is mandated to save and preserve life by giving the necessary first aid measures to the injured and their
medical evacuation as necessary. The FR shall likewise secure and preserve the crime scene by cordoning the area
to prevent unauthorized entry of persons;
d. The FR shall take the dying declaration of severely injured person/s, if any. The FR shall make the initial assessment
on whether a crime has actually been committed and shall conduct the preliminary interview of witnesses to
determine what and how the crime was committed;
e. If and when there is a suspect present in the area, the first responder shall arrest, detain and remove the suspect
from the area; and
f. The FR, upon the arrival of the IOC, shall turn-over the crime scene to the duty investigator/IOC after the former has
briefed the investigator of the situation. The FR shall prepare and submit the CSI Form “1” - First Responders Report
to the IOC and be prepared to assist the IOC in the investigation.
g. The FR shall stay in the crime scene to assist the IOC in the maintenance of security, crowd control, preservation of
evidence and custody of witness/suspect until such time the investigation is completed and temporarily turned over to
the local Chief of Police (COP) for the continuance of crime scene security

2. Investigator-on-Case (IOC) /Duty Investigator:

a. Upon arrival at the crime scene, the IOC shall request for a briefing from the FR and make a quick assessment of
the crime;
b. At this stage, the IOC shall assume full responsibility over the crime scene and shall conduct a thorough
assessment of the scene and inquiry into incident. If necessary the IOC may conduct crime scene search outside
the area where the incident happened employing any of the various search methods;
c. Based on the assessment, if the IOC determines that a SOCO team is required, he shall report the matter to his COP
and request for a SOCO, otherwise, the IOC shall proceed with the CSI without the SOCO team and shall utilize CSI
Form “4” – SOCO Report Forms in the conduct of the CSI;
d. The IOC may by himself if the situation so demands, conduct CSI if, there is no Provincial Crime Laboratory
Office/Regional Crime Laboratory Office in the province. The IOC must, however, ensure that the correct procedures
in the collection of evidence are observed to ensure the admissibility of the evidence;
e. The Police Station Operation Center, upon directive of the COP, shall make the request for the SOCO team through
the Provincial/City Operations Center;
f. It shall be the responsibility of the Provincial/City Operations Center to facilitate the request for the SOCO Team;
g. Upon the arrival of the SOCO Team, the IOC shall accomplish the CSI Form “2” - Request for the Conduct of SOCO
and submit the same to the SOCO Team Leader. The SOCO team shall not enter the crime scene unless the IOC
makes the official written request wherein he assures the SOCO team of his presence and support; and
h. The IOC shall brief the SOCO Team upon their arrival at the crime scene and shall jointly conduct the preliminary
crime scene survey
3. SOCO TEAM
a. The SOCO Team shall not join any operations conducted by the local police or accompany the FRs or the IOC in
going to the crime scene. They will only respond upon request through the Operations Center and after the IOC has
already made proper assessment of the crime scene;
b. Upon receipt of the Request for Conduct of SOCO, the SOCO Team shall then conduct the scene of the crime
operations which include among others the narrative description of the crime scene, photography, videography, crime
scene search, crime scene sketch, crime scene location sketch, physical evidence recording and collection, and
other procedures necessary
 c. In case the SOCO Team needs to temporarily suspend the processing, the Chief of Police shall be primarily
responsible and accountable for securing the crime scene and ensuring its integrity until the return of SOCO
Team and the conclusion of the CSI;
d. After the termination of the SOCO, the SOCO Team Leader shall brief the IOC on the initial results and
thereafter conduct the final crime scene survey together with the IOC; and
e. The SOCO Team shall accomplish the CSI Form “4” - SOCO Report Forms and furnish the IOC of copies of the
same before leaving the crime scene.

Release of the Crime Scene

a. The IOC or the COP shall turn-over the crime scene to the owner of the property or where the crime scene is a public
place, to any local person in authority;
b. The IOC as well as the SOCO Team shall completely fill-up the forms specified in this SOP. The IOC shall
accomplish and submit the Investigator’s Report with all the required attachments to the COP within two (2) working
days from the date of incidence (See Annex H); and
c. The CSI Report shall be the first entry in the Case Folder for the investigation of the incident.
Special SOCO Procedures
 In cases where the evidence gathered needs special processing due to significant or sensational cases, the
specialists from the Crime Laboratory shall be requested.
a. In bombing cases, the EOD personnel should first clear the area and declare it “secured” prior to entry of the SOCO.
The former, before entering the crime scene must submit to the latter for swabbing. All evidence collected must be
pre-cleared by the EOD prior to documentation.
b. In suspected or reported chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) situations, the SOCO shall directly
coordinate with the Special Rescue Team of the Bureau of Fire and Protection before the conduct of the crime scene
investigation.
c. In mass victim situation, the Regional/District SOCO who has jurisdiction over the area, in addition to their function,
shall act as the FR to the Interim Disaster Victim Identifi cation Task Group (IDVI TG) of the PNP Crime Laboratory.
The IDVI TG shall immediately assess the forensic specialists needed to be deployed at the crime scene and relay
the requirements to the PNP Crime Laboratory Headquarters
d. The SOCO has motu proprio authority to direct all operating units involved in the police operation to submit their
respective personnel for forensic examination; their service fi rearms for ballistic tests; and other pieces of evidence
involved to expedite the investigation of the case.

Duties of the Territorial Police Unit

a. Provide assistance in the evacuation of the injured persons to the nearest hospital;
b. Provide area security;
c. Control the crowd at the crime scene;
d. Direct the flow of traffic away from the crime scene so as not to destroy and contaminate vital evidence; and
e. Provide security back-up to the SOCO