CDI REVIEWER (PPT) PROACTIVE INVESTIGATION (PI)

- Conducted by police based on their own initiative

- Focused on crime detection operations to catch a
MOD 1: Police Investigation and Intelligence Overview
criminal in the act rather than waiting for a citizen’s
complaint
Investigation and Intelligence
- Primary consumers of information in the police org
a. Decoy and blending operations
- Termed as the most valuable commodity
- In blending, officers try to blend in crime-prone
- Investigation for ensuring the prosecution of cases
areas wearing civilian clothes to patrol and catch a
and conviction of offenders
criminal
- Intelligence provides investigative support and is an
- In decoy, officers play the role of a potential victim
important tool for decision-making, resource
of a crime
allocation, deployment, etc.
a. Undercover operations
- Officers assume a new identity to gather evidence
THEORIES OF POLICING
or access info about criminal activity, criminals, or
CRIME PREVENTION
their organization
- First line of defense
b. Overt-Covert Investigation
- Manned by patrolling uniformed police to eliminate
a. Overt Investigation
the opportunity to commit a crime
- One conducted openly wherein investigators do not
CRIME INVESTIGATION
try to hide their identities and the fact that their
- Second line of defense when a crime is committed
investigating
- Composed of investigators that’ll follow up the case
b. Covert Investigation
and arrest criminals
- One conducted in secret wherein the officers hide
- Crime repression
his identity and the fact that their investigating
TYPES OF INVESTIGATION
NOTE:
REACTIVE INVESTIGATION (RI)
- One that is instigated based on a complaint o Generally, PI are Covert.
registered by a victim. o In police org set-up, RI and Overt operations are
largely performed by investigators,
1. Preliminary investigation/Initial inquiry o While PI and Covert are the support services
provided by the operatives in the intelligence
- Generally conducted by first responders/patrol
units.
officers
- Ex: control of the crime scene, preliminary search,
interview, and identification of possible suspect or
witness, etc.
- Follow-up up or latent investigation
- Conducted by police investigators/detectives
- Ex: processing of physical evidence, interviewing
witnesses, interrogating suspects, record searches,
etc.

- The paradigm shows that law enforcement

intelligence serves as the “nerve center” of the
 overall police operations thru its ability to collect, HIGHWAYMEN
process, and disseminate useful knowledge
- by the 17th century, highwaymen such as Jack
- In the aspect of criminal investigation, intelligence Sheppard and Dick Turpin made traveling thru the
support comes mainly in the form of information English countryside so dangerous that no coach or
collection, verification of identities, and locations of traveler was safe
offenders.
1963
- Investigators, on the other hand, are the
“gatekeepers” that bridge law enforcement to the - an act of Parliament established a monetary reward
next pillars of the CJS for the capture of any highwaymen or road agent.
- The thief-taker was paid upon conviction of the
highwayman and will also receive its horse, arms,
MOD 2: Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation money, and property.
- Often, a thief-taker would seduce a young person to
THEORY OF INVESTIGATION AND ITS INDUSTRY commit a crime, then have a fellow thief-taker
arrest them during the offense
BEFORE PUBLIC INVESTIGATING: - Others framed the innocent by planting stolen
goods on the person or in their homes
POLICING - this system generally created more crime than it
- Maintaining order and dealing with lawbreakers suppressed
had always been a private matter.
- Citizens were responsible for protecting themselves JONATHAN WILD
and investigating crimes committed against
- one of the most notorious thief-takers of the early
themselves.
1700s in England
AROUND 15TH CENTURY
- Rome created the first specialized investigative unit, HENRY FIELDING
consisting of questors, or trackers of murder.
- 18th-century novelist best known for writing Tom
14 CENTURY IN FRANCE AND EARLY 19TH IN
TH
Jones
ENGLAND
- can also be credited for laying out the foundation
- Modern-style police department appears for the first modern police force
- Most of our knowledge of the roots of policing and
BOW STREET RUNNERS
investigating comes from France and England
- There was no official police or law enforcement - Private citizens who were not paid by public funds
investigative process in Europe until the 19th but were permitted to accept thief-taker rewards
century. Neither were there any official
investigative agencies. 19TH CENTURY INVESTIGATING:
- the police were primarily concerned with the FRANCE
prevention of crime by a conspicuous uniformed
police patrol. - On the European content, police originally was in
charge of all civil administration that was not
THIEF-TAKERS church-related
- In 1817, Police de Sûręté (Security Police), France’s
- individuals who served as a form of private police new police detective bureau, was created in Paris
- 16th, 17th, and 18th century France and England under the leadership of the notorious French
- They were private citizens, with no official status, criminal and police informant Eugène-François
and were paid by the king for every criminal they Vidocq
arrested, like bounty hunters of American West a) ”It takes a thief to catch a thief” was
- the main role of thief-takers was to combat every Vidocq’s maxim that became known as the
robbery committed by the highwaymen. French method of detective work
ENGLAND The major contributors in Criminalistics and their
primary contributions:
- LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE was created thru
the efforts of Sir Robert Peel Alphonse Bertillon – criminal identification and police
a) He successfully managed to have the photography
Metropolitan Police Act of 1929 Edward Richard Henry – fingerprints
- BOBBIES were the first officers’ nicknames (after Sir Karl Landsteiner – blood evidence
Robert Peel) Calvin H. Goddard – ballistics
a) Housed in a building formerly occupied by Rudolph Reiss – DNA profiling or genetic fingerprint
Scottish royalty, thus they were referred to
as Scotland Yard AUGUST VOLLMER
- In 1878, Criminal Investigation Division (CID) was - Chief of Police in Berkeley, California from 1905-
created and put in charge of both headquarters and 1932
division detectives. Placed under the civilian - Generally known as the Father of American Policing
leadership of Howard Vincent, a London lawyer. - Introduced the use of intelligence, psychiatric and
neurological tests to aid in the selection of police
UNITED STATES recruits
- The American criminal justice system, particularly - Initiated scientific crime detection and crime-
the police, owes its heritage to the English solving techniques, including the use of polygraphs
experience with criminal suspects

PUBLIC INVESTIGATING: The East There are 2 distinct models of state-level law
enforcement agencies:
- America’s early police departments formed in the
mid-1800s on the East Coast 1. CENTRALIZED MODEL – combines duties of major
a) Like London’s police department, these criminal investigations with the patrol of state
departments concentrated mostly on highways
uniformed patrol to deter crime 2. DECENTRALIZED MODEL – there is a clear
distinction between traffic enforcement on state
- In 1880, Captain Thomas J. Byrnes was chosen to highways and their state-level law enforcement
head the central detective office. functions
PRIVATE INVESTIGATING: The American Frontier AN OVERVIEW OF INVESTIGATING
ALLAN PINKERTON INVESTIGATION
- America’s Founder of Criminal Investigation - Very simply defined as the process used to examine
- Pioneered numerous investigative techniques, such and inquire into something systematically and
as shadowing or suspect surveillance and thoroughly
undercover operations - The systematic and thorough examination and
20TH CENTURY INVESTIGATING inquiry into something or someone (collection of
facts/info) and the recording of this examination or
- Increased use of science in investigating crime, the inquiry in a report
use of academic research to study police - Investigate: to examine and inquire into something
investigations and establish new methods to systemically and thoroughly (Ferdico’s Criminal Law
investigate crimes, and the due process revolution and Justice Dictionary)
that changed investigating practices. Local - Investigate: from the Latin word ‘investigare’
Investigating. meaning ‘to search into’ / ‘to track or to trace’
SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANCE IN INVESTIGATING INVESTIGATING IS BOTH AN ART AND A SCIENCE
- The development of the use of criminalistics in - Investigating is a science because there are certain
investigating crime. rules that should be followed to conduct a
successful investigation and because the pure
sciences and applied sciences play an increasingly
important role in the investigating process
- Investigating is an art because it depends on the BASIC ELEMENTS OF INVESTIGATIVE PROCESSES
human skills of the investigator, including
interpersonal communication and creativity a) RECOGNITION – info relating to a crime must be
recognized as such by the investigating officer
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION b) COLLECTION – relevant info must also be collected
by the investigator
- An art that deals with the identity and location of c) PRESERVATION – info must be preserved to insure
the offender and provides evidence of his guilt thru its physical and legal integrity
criminal proceedings d) EVALUATION – info must be evaluated by the
- In as much as it is not a science, it is not governed investigator to determine its worth in prosecuting
by rigid rules or laws but most often, it is governed
the suspect
by intuition, felicity of inspiration, and to a minor
extent, by chance
PURPOSES OF AN INVESTIGATION MOD 3: Phases of Criminal Investigation
CRIMINAL CASES – the report serves as the basis of the
PHASES OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
prosecution
1. Identification of the criminal.
PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR CASES – the report serves as
2. Tracing and locating the offender.
the product for which the client pays
3. Gathering of evidence to prove the guilt of the
criminal.
ROLES OF INVESTIGATOR
A crime investigator carries out the investigative
functions of a law enforcement organization.
His roles and objectives are:
• To determine that a crime has been committed
• To identify the victim and the offender
• To locate and apprehend the suspect
• To present evidence of guilt
The investigative process serves many purpose in both
public and private cases, including these: PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES OF AN INVESTIGATOR

• Determining if there is sufficient factual evidence to • Unusual capability of observation and recall
support or defeat each element of a cause of action • Rational thinking
• Accumulating the necessary factual evidence to • Knowledge of the law/rules on evidence
prove or defeat a case at trial or to form the basis • Power of imagination
for a settlement • Social psychology
• Locating leads to additional evidence QUALITIES/SKILLS NEEDED IN INVESTIGATION
• Locating persons or property; and
• Finding evidence that might be used to discredit 1. Intelligence and reasoning ability
(impeach) a witness or the opponent 2. Curiosity and imagination
3. Experience with people and life
SIX CARDINAL POINTS IN INVESTIGATIVE QUESTIONS: 4. Perseverance
• Who 5. Energy
6. Sensitivity and empathy
• What
7. Discretion
• Where
8. Integrity
• When
9. Character
• Why
• How INVESTIGATIVE THEORIES AND METHODS
Experienced investigators have proved that no two
investigations, even of the same type of crime, are
exactly alike.
REASON: Each crime involves different sets of facts LEADS
based from different sets of information, necessitating
individualized approaches and application. - Clues of pieces of info that aid in the progress of the
A crime can be viewed as a happening, which generates investigation
information signals about the act. In a criminal act, the - Anything that can assist an investigator in resolving
doer emits the signals while the police receive it. Those an investigation. (physical evidence, info received
type of signals/information, if systemically interpreted by witnesses, surveillances, undercover
by the police, help solve crimes. investigations, and record searches)
In Forensic Science, LOCARD’S EXCHANGE PRINCIPLE TIPS
holds that the perpetrator of a crime will bring
something into the crime scene and leave something - Leads provided by citizens that aid in the progress
from it. of an investigation. Generally, tips involve the
identity of the suspect.
THEORIES
MOD 5: Tools of Investigation
- Beliefs regarding the case based on evidence,
INFORMATION patterns, leads, tips, and other info developed or
uncovered in a case.
- People are the primary source of info for the - They are important because they direct the
investigator investigation.
- Any knowledge derived from any source that can be - Have to be very careful in building theories because
used as a basis for decision making to facilitate the if the theory is wrong, it may lead the investigation
successful termination of a criminal investigation in the wrong direction
They are classified into two: FORMS OF INFORMATION
1. Regular Sources – ppl who come to attention 1. Sensory Forms – outward manifestations of a
because of their involvement or familiarity with criminal event perceived by our five physical senses
a crime or incident. (victims, witnesses, 2. Written Forms – criminal act may also produce info
suspects) in a written form
2. Cultivated Sources – ppl who have special info 3. Physical Form – info may actually be in physical or
on a particular crime or criminal or noncriminal real form. A physical object that proves upon
activity. (informants) evaluation to be a clue in the investigation
SOURCES AND AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION
1. Internal or Regular Sources – a well-rounded MOD 6: Instrumentation
professional investigator must have an intimate
knowledge of all internal sources of info before INSTRUMENTATION
developing the more sophisticated sources outside
The third ‘I’ is meant to include the application of the
of the law enforcement org
instruments and methods of the physical sciences to the
2. External Sources – cultivated information; an
detection of crime. Physics, for example, offers such
experienced investigator develops in the field thru
aids as microscope, photography, and optical methods
contacts with the criminal elements as well as the
of analysis. The role of Chemistry is too well known for
civic spirited, law-abiding citizen.
elaboration here. Biology and Pathology are particularly
PATTERNS important in crimes of physical violence. The sum of
these sciences in so far as they are applied to crime
- Series of similarities that may link particular cases detection is called CRIMINALISTICS.
or indicate that the same person is the perpetrator.
(time of the day, day of the week, description of the INSTRUMENTATION, however, includes also all the
suspect, MO, type of weapon used, type of victim, technical methods by which the fugitive is traced and
loc, and other variables) examined and in general, the investigation is
advanced. Fingerprint systems, modus operandi file, lie
detector, communication systems, surveillance
equipment such as telephoto lens and detective dyes,
searching apparatus such as the X-ray unit and the 3 IMPORTANT ROLES OF CRIMINALISTIC EVIDENCE IN
metal detector and other investigative tools are THE JUDICIAL PROCESS
contained within the scope of the term
INSTRUMENTATION. 1. It establishes the elements of a crime.

USE OF INSTRUMENTATION 2. It associates or disassociates defendants with crimes.

The most common use of instrumentation is in 3. It helps reconstruct the crime or the crime scene.
connection with the physical evidence in the case and CRIME LAB ACCREDITATION
the limitation of this tool of investigation is set by the
clue materials and other traces found at the scene of Crime Laboratory Accreditation Program is a voluntary
the crime. program in which any crime lab may participate to
demonstrate that its management, operations,
GENERAL ROLE OF CRIME LABORATORY personnel, procedures, equipment, physical plant,
One major task of a crime laboratory is the qualitative security, and personnel safety procedures meet
(what is it) and quantitative (how much) analysis of established standards. The accreditation process id part
unknown substance. Thru the use of sophisticated of a laboratory’s quality assurance program, which
instruments and recognized analytical procedures, a should also include proficiency testing, continuing
crime laboratory can identify various substances and education, and other programs to help the laboratory
compounds in the item of evidence and how much of a give better over-all service to the criminal justice
particular substances is contained in the sample. system.

A. Two Major Functions

i. IDENTIFICATION MOD 7: Phases of Investigation
ii. COMPARISON
IDENTIFYING CRIMINALS
IMPORTANCE OF CRIMINALISTICS IN INVESTIGATING
- First phase of this study is identifying the criminal
Forensic Science – part of science applied to answering - The identity of the criminal is discovered in one or
legal questions more of the following ways:
Criminalistics – profession and scientific discipline a) Confession and Admission
directed to physical evidence by the application of the b) Eyewitness Testimony
natural sciences to law-science matters. (California c) Circumstantial Evidence
Association of Criminalistics) ADMISSION
Criminalistics Evidence – includes fingerprints, blood - Self-incriminatory statement by the subject falling
and bloodstains, semen stains, drugs and alcohol, hairs short of an acknowledgement of guilt
and fibers, and firearms and tool marks. - Acknowledgement of a fact or circumstance from
TAKE NOTE: In court, criminalistics evidence is which guilt may be inferred
presented thru lab analysis by an expert prepared to - Implicates but does not incriminate
interpret and testify to the scientific results, thus - Coupled with circumstances such as the existence
distinguishing forensic evidence from other forms of of a motive, the admission may provide an
physical or tangible evidence such as stolen goods, inference of guilt
articles of clothing, and other personal property. CONFESSION
Criminalist – generic term for forensic technicians, - Direct acknowledgement of the truth of the guilty
forensic scientists, and forensic chemists. Specialize in fact as charged or of some essential part of the
one or more of the ff areas: analysis of trace evidence, commission of the criminal act itself
serology, drug chemistry, firearms and tool marks, and - To be admissible, the confession of the accused
questioned documents. must be voluntary
- Confession by duress, coercion, extreme
psychological restraint are not admissible in the
court of justice
Voluntariness of the Confession The exact words of the subject should be
used by the investigator.
Voluntariness may be shown by evidence of one of the
following:
1. The statement obtained by urging or EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY
request was a spontaneous or self-induced
utterance of the accused. a) IDENTIFICATION AND TESTIMONIES OF EYEWITNESS
2. The statement was obtained without a) An ordinary lawman is not skilled in the art
coercion and free from any force or of description by observation and
intimidation. consequently he will describe a wanted
3. The statement was obtained during an person with generalities. It is often difficult
official investigation after the accused was to form a definite picture or even establish
informed of the nature of the offense, of one useful peculiarity. The investigator
the fact that he need not make a statement, must assist the witness in describing the
and of the fact the evidence can be used original but he must avoid the introduction
against him at trial. of errors through suggestions.

Purposes of Obtaining Statement KIND OF CRIMINALS IDENTIFIED BY WITNESS

1. To provide a written record for the case file. Known Criminals

2. For use by the prosecution at the trial to - Criminals whose picture are available from police
refresh recollection, impeach witnesses; files and records.
and in general, monitor to some extent the - Their identity can be established through
testimony. background investigation and description furnished
3. To discourage the witness from wrongfully by their relatives and other criminals
changing his testimony at the trial.
4. To enable the prosecution to plan its Unknown Criminals
presentation by reducing the element of - Criminals whose identification are furnished by
surprise that unforeseen testimony would eyewitnesses only
introduce. - Pictures and records are not available from the files
From Whom Must Written Statements be Taken? of the police
- Description are vague and difficult to identify
1. Subjects and suspects
2. Recalcitrant or reluctant witnesses METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION BY WITNESS
3. Any witness who gives an indication of a VERBAL DESCRIPTION
tendency to change his mind
4. Witnesses who will not be available at legal - Depends on the ability of the witness to describe
proceedings the person seen committing the crime
- Basis could be the description of the face consisting
Forms and Contents of a Written Statement of the forehead, nose, eyebrow, mustache, cheeks,
There is no standard format for a written statement but eyes, ears, mouth, lips, teeth, chin, jaw, neck as to
the following data must be included: shape; waist as to size and shape of abdomen,
hands as to length, hair and palms; and figures as to
a) IDENTIFYING DATA – the first paragraph length, stains, shape, numbers, and others
should contain the date, place,
identification of the maker, name of the PHOTOGRAPHIC FILES (Rogue’s Gallery)
person whom the statement was made, and - Witness may be taken to the Photo Laboratory to
a declaration by the maker that the examine photograph files of known criminals
statement was made voluntarily. - He must be instructed to call the attention of the
b) THE BODY – can be given in expository or investigator on any strong similarity that he may
narrative form, but must include all the find in the file resembling the criminal even the
elements of the crime and the facts smallest feature of the face alone.
associating the subject to these elements.
GENERAL PHOTOGRAPH ------------------------------------------------------------
- Witness should be shown variety facial types which MOD 8: Circumstantial Evidence
do not necessarily represent the criminal.
- The picture only represent different features of the CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
face. The image in the picture should be the same - Absence of a confession, admission, eyewitness, the
size and should include varieties of various features identification the criminal may be established
such as the degree of baldness, length and shape of indirectly by proving other facts or circumstances
the nose, size of the ears, formation of the jaw and from which, either alone or in connection with other
cheekbones, and others facts, the identity of the perpetrator(s) can be
ARTITS’S ASSISTANCE inferred.

- An artist sketches must be employed to help the SUFFICIENCY OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE TO

witness draw a picture of the criminal PRODUCE CONVICTION OF THE ACCUSED:
- The witness is shown a chart which contain 1. When there more than one circumstances present.
representations of various types of human features 2. When the facts from which the inference are
such as noses, eyes, ears, and he is requested to derived are proven.
select the individual features present in the 3. When the combination of all the circumstances is
unknown criminal. such as to produce a conviction beyond reasonable
- From this selection, the artist draws a composite doubt.
face which may be a close approximation to the
criminal’s identity IDENTIFICATION MADE BY ASSOCIATIVE EVIDENCE:

POLICE LINE-UP These are physical evidence which may identify the
criminal by means of clues, personal properties, or the
- used as a means of selecting a suspect from a group characteristic pattern of procedure deduced from the
of innocent persons. arrangement of objects at the crime scene.
- The purpose of eliminating of the power of
suggestion as a factor in identification The offender may leave some clues such as weapon,
- As a procedure, there must be group of 7 to 10 tools, garment, fingerprint, foot impressions, wallet,
persons with almost similar appearances. The wearing apparels, and others. In case of crimes of
witness must be informed that one of them is the violence, hair and bloodstains of the offender may leave
suspect. The line members must be made to wear the evidence of physical struggle. Similarly, those
the apparel as suggested by the witness and during physical evidence may leave the story of how the crime
the line-up to perform some characteristics actions was committed.
determined by the witness like walking, sitting, and IDENTIFICATION MADE BY MODUS OPERANDI
others.
- Line-up members should not be allowed to talk to The Modus Operandi file enables the investigators to
each other. The decision of the suspect should not be recognize a pattern of criminal behaviour exhibited by
made known to the suspect. If there are more than the suspect. The investigator can also detect thru the
one witness, they should not be allowed to files that a series of crimes committed were done by a
communicate with each other and their identifying single criminal and therefore, he can predict and
the suspect should be done separately approximate the next target of the criminal in the
future.
FACTORS ON EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION Likewise, the M.O. files can help the eyewitnesses and
victims identify the criminal faster through the
i. The ability of the eyewitness to observe and characteristics of the criminal activities and his
remember the distinct appearance of the behaviour in committing the crime.
suspect
ii. The prevailing conditions of visibility and The M.O. files are classified and filed in such a way as to
observation when the crime was committed. assist in identifying the crimes either as one committed
iii. The lapse of time between the criminal event by known criminals or those committed by unknown
and when the identification was made. criminals. The method as devised by Major General Sir
Lewely Atcherley operates under the principles that “it
is human nature that personal habits and mannerism do 7. AS TO OBSERVED NATURAL PECULIARITIES.
not change easily but remains with the individuals for g) An observer of the offense may be able to
years even among criminals.” supply valuable clues in the form of
personal idiosyncrasies. Speech is one of
In the commission of crimes, the criminal exhibits the most important clues. Enunciation,
particular pattern of behavior at all times and the dialect, and diction can be closely
variations are very negligible. This is what identifies the described. The words openly spoken while
criminal by the M.O. files. The characteristics pattern of perpetrating the crime could also be noted.
criminal activities are classified under the M.O. files. 8. AS TO THE MANNER THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED.
They are divided in the following categories: h) A robber or night theft may use a definite
1. AS TO THE NATURE OF STOLEN PROPERTY. pattern of gaining entry to the house on
a) The nature of stolen properties through several occasions which distinguish him
theft or robbery may be classified into from the rest of his companions in the
perishable or non-perishable; metallic or business; a murderer may use at all times
into jewelries, appliances, wearing apparel, knife or gun depending on his choice; a
cash, foodstuff, and the like. This will swindler may use the same ruse and
provide an important clue in the methods to deceive his victims; and a
identification of the criminal. pickpocket may employ the same number
2. AS TO THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CRIMINAL. of aids to foil the attention of the victim.
b) If the criminal was observed, his verbal TRACING AND LOCATING CRIMINALS
description must be recorded.
3. AS TO THE OBSERVATION OF THE CRIME SCENE. TRACING AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION
c) The general layout or appearance of the
crime scene after the criminal left will Tracing and locating criminals involve collection of
distinguish the behavior of the criminal in useful and validated information among various sources
perpetrating the crimes from others. necessary for comprehensive investigation and
4. AS TO THE MOTIVE. prosecution of cases.
d) When property is lost, theft or robbery is
the motive; when the woman is assaulted,
lust could be the motive; when the body is MOD 9: Crime Scene Processing
mutilated, homicide or murder could be
CRIME SCENE SEARCH
committed by a deranged person.
5. AS TO THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION. One of the most crucial stages of a criminal
e) The time the crime was committed may investigation is the response to and processing of the
point out the identity of the criminal who crime scene, the location where the crime was
prefers to execute in a certain time of the committed. Anyone watching the many criminal trials
day or night. Naturally, since the exact covered in the media sees how defense attorneys
moment of occurrence cannot be readily criticize the police handling of crime scene evidence.
established in many cases, the investigator The methods used by the police at the crime scene can
must endeavour to establish the time of be crucial to the identification of the suspect and the
occurrence between determinable limits. successful litigation of the case in court. They conduct
6. AS TO THE HUMAN PECULIARITIES. the crime scene investigation by processing the crime
f) Human weakness are always manifested scene for physical evidence, interviewing possible
consciously or unintentionally by anyone witnesses, interrogating possible suspects and arresting
even criminals while committing crimes. the suspect.
These are partaking the food or liquor of
the owner of the house robbed, defection Students interested in investigating should have the
of the table, stealing insignificant items basic knowledge of the mechanics of crime scene
such as women’s bra and panties, taking a investigation. This chapter defines the crime scene and
bath and putting on the clothing of the discusses the duties of all police personnel who are
victim. This is important to note since the there, including the first responding patrol officer, the
behavior could not be very common among investigator, and the criminalist or crime scene unit. It
criminals. emphasizes, however, that at many crime scenes across
much of our nation the uniformed police officer MOD 10: Importance of Crime Scene Investigation
performs the bulk of the crime scene investigation
work. It discusses the warrant requirement at the crime • It is at the crime scene where vital evidence can be
scene and the preservation of the crime scene evidence found and collected
by protecting it and establishing a temporary • It is at the crime scene where…
headquarters or command post. It then discusses INITIAL STEPS AT THE CRIME SCENE
processing the crime scene, including the tasks of
photographing, sketching, searching for evidence, 9 Golden Rules to be observed by the investigator
recording, and reconstructing the crime. The chapter upon his arrival at the scene of the crime:
goes on to talk about processing crime scene evidence,
1. Identify and if possible, retain for questioning the
including the concept of chain of custody and making
person who first notified the police.
packaging evidence. It describes different types of
2. Determine the perpetrator by direct injury or
physical evidence – fingerprints, blood, hair, soil, bite
observe him if his identity is immediately apparent.
marks, tool fragments, and tool marks.
3. Detain all persons present at the scene.
MEANING OF CRIME SCENE 4. Summon assistance, if necessary.
5. Safeguard the area by issuing appropriate orders
A crime scene is a physical location where a suspect and by physically isolating it.
either commits an illegal act or leaves physical evidence 6. Subsequently, permit only authorized persons to
of such an act. The crime scene may be defined as the enter the area.
area where a crime has been committed (the inner 7. Separate the witnesses in order to obtain
perimeter), the immediate area surrounding the crime independent statements.
scene, including any entrances and exits to and from 8. Do not touch or move any object.
the scene (outer perimeter), and anywhere that 9. Definitely assign the duties of the search if
evidence of the crime can be found (extended assistants are present.
perimeter). A crime scene can be extended from the
actual area in which the crime occurred to any area PRELIMINARY DUTIES
where the suspect flees or leaves evidence.
1. The Primary Investigator must designate personnel
FOR EXAMPLE, if a murder occurs in Quezon City and to assist him at the crime scene and make sure that
the suspect flees the scene and travels to Bulacan, the the necessary equipment is available at the scene.
crime scene can extend to the entire area of travel, 2. The Primary Investigator can proceed with a
because it might contain evidence of the crime. preliminary survey or scan of the scene so that it
can be properly identified and protected.
In order to determine how the crime occurred and who • No evidence should be touched or moved
committed it, the processing of a crime scene involves until this preliminary scan is completed.
numerous persons and duties. It involves initial • During the preliminary scan, the
response of the first law enforcement patrol officer to investigator should start to prepare his
the scene and the response of the investigator and narrative description of the crime scene by
criminalist or crime scene unit. It also involves their taking notes.
efforts to preserve the integrity of the crime scene
• Notes should be written in a notebook,
evidence, photograph and sketch the scene, and
although a tape recorder or video camera
attempt to reconstruct the events that transpired at the
may also be used, especially for interviews.
scene. Still, the information should be transferred
COMPONENTS IN CRIME SCENE SITUATION to a notebook as quickly as possible.
• The investigator should also make a
• Suspect Arrival at the Scene preliminary crime scene sketch in the
• Place of Entry notebook.
• Movement of Suspect from Point of Entry • The eventual report that will be created
• Suspect Contact with the Victim from the notes will have to be an authentic,
• Place of Exit factual, and unbiased representation, with
no hearsay evidence contained in it.
3. After the preliminary scan, the primary investigator
should assign specific duties to all members of the
 investigative team and brief them on exactly what is members of the team is complete and that each
expected of them. task has been properly performed.
4. Just before beginning the primary search of the
overall crime scene, photos of the scene – long
range, midrange, and close-up photographs – MOD 11: Investigative Activities at the Crime Scene
should be taken.
5. After these initial photos have been taken, the GENERAL CRIME SCENE RULES:
primary search should be conducted as carefully
1. Do not use the crime scene as temporary
and completely as possible. All areas of the scene
headquarters.
must be inspected.
2. Do not unnecessarily touch anything. This prevents
6. The primary investigator conducts the search with
the destruction of evidence and avoids the
the help of team members. Whenever a piece of
embarrassment of having your fingerprints on the
evidence is discovered, the primary investigator
evidence.
views it and records it in the narrative description of
3. Get names of all persons present at the scene,
the scene.
including police officers, and so on, and forward the
• At this point, photos of the evidence should
list to the police identification unit for elimination
include a measuring device next to the item
fingerprint comparison.
photographed to indicate the precise size of
4. Keep all unnecessary persons out of the crime
the item.
scene.
• Any item at the scene that may have been
5. Do not wrap any evidence that might contain
touched by the suspect should be
fingerprints in any type of cloth. Use paper envelops
processed. This should be done as carefully
or paper bags.
as possible in order not to destroy any
6. If outdoors, rope off area and protect evidence
other evidence at the scene.
from the elements, if possible, without moving it.
• The proper powder, chemicals, or laser 7. Try to determine point of entry and exit.
should be used to locate latent print 8. Examine for presence of latent prints.
evidence that may be present. Certain 9. Locate any objects that might have been handled by
items, such as paper, glass, and metal, can the suspects and process them.
be packaged at the scene and taken to the 10. Maintain a copy of the case history for your files.
crime lab for processing. All latent evidence
should be lifted and marked with the STEPS IN PRIMARY PROCESSING OF CRIME SCENE:
identity of the person who located,
1. Safeguard and secure the scene.
processed, photographed, and lifted it.
2. Visually inspect or scan the crime scene – don’t
• Once this is all done, all other evidence
touch.
should be collected, packaged, marked, and
3. Take notes.
where necessary, forwarded to the crime
4. Photograph the scene.
lab for analysis.
5. Sketch the scene.
• Each packaged item of evidence should be
6. Conduct the crime scene search.
marked with the time, date, and exact
7. Process physical evidence found at the crime scene.
location where it was found. The location
where the evidence was found should be as PHOTOGRAPHING
precise as possible.
7. Last, the primary investigator should make a final With its improved technology – as in better cameras
survey of the scene to be sure that no evidence has and high-speed color film – photography remains the
been overlooked. foundation and starting point for most of the visual
8. When this step is completed, he should check all recreation of the crime scene. Photographs are often
the packaged evidence to ensure that each piece is used to show where items of evidence were located at
properly marked with the date, time, location, type the scene.
of evidence, and name of the officer who located, At their best, photographs can present a logical story in
recovered, and processed it. visual form. In order to do this, the scene must be
9. The primary investigator should then verify that undisturbed as possible before the photographs are
documentation of all the tasks assigned to the taken. This helps establish that the conditions portrayed
in the pictures truly illustrate the original and
uncontaminated features of the scene. Certain s) The direction indicator can simply be letters
procedures must be followed for photographs to be such as C/F/S – camera facing south.
acceptable in court. These procedures ensure their t) This procedure is helpful in correlating the
validity. Both the number of photographs and the photographs with the crime scene sketch
manner in which they are taken are important. Each roll during testimony in court, which may occur
must have an identifier photograph to indicate the case long after the photographs were taken.
report number and other pertinent information. u) A felt-tip pen may be used to back the
photographs, or the information can be
1. A crime scene investigator usually has only one written on a label that is affixed to the back
chance to document the crime scene as it was of each photograph.
found; therefore it is never possible to take too 3. Often it is difficult to locate a small piece of
many photographs. The initial photographs showing evidence in outdoor photographs. Circling is a
the overall scene should be taken using a technique helpful procedure here.
called overlapping. v) You hold the photograph backwards, with
i) Overlapping involves photographing the the print side toward the light, allowing the
entire scene in a clockwise manner. evidence on the front of the photograph to
j) The photograph is composed so that a be seen.
specific object is pictured on the right side w) Then you draw a circle on the backside to
of the first photograph. allow someone to testify to the location of
k) The second photograph then has that same the evidence.
object in view on the left side.
l) This right-to-left pattern continues with SKETCHING
each subsequent photograph until the
entire scene is recorded. Even when the photographs have been taken at the
m) Furthermore, in order to exhibit the crime crime scene, it is essential that a handmade crime scene
scene adequately, the sequence of sketch be made as well while processing it. Sketches
photographs showing all pertinent locations supplement photographs taken at the crime scene, just
should be represented by a progression of as photographs supplement sketches. In fact, although
general-to-specific photos. photographs are essential to the recording of the crime
scene, they may actually distort reality because they do
n) In order to accomplish this, as the clockwise
sequence of overlapping photos are taken, not show exact distance relationships between key
the photos should be taken from three items of evidence and surrounding items.
vintage points: long range, mid-range, and x) A crime scene sketch should depict the
close-up. overall area, allowing coordination of the
o) As each photograph is taken, a photographs with the locations of the
photographic log should record what it evidence.
depicts. y) The sketches are not intended to be
p) The photographic log is necessary because engineering or artistic masterpieces, just
of the number and types of photos that are line drawings or diagrams that accurately
normally taken at the crime scene. depict the scene and are proportionally
q) It records the chronology of the photos correct.
taken and the pertinent technical and z) Crime scene sketches can, however, go
practical data to explain the photos and beyond a simple line drawing. They can
place them into the perspective of the indicate the sequences of events, location
crime scene. of evidence, and distances in a large area.
2. When the photographs are printed, they should be aa) Plastic overlays are a useful tool for
marked like any other piece of evidence from the sketches and can add perspective to the
scene. There is procedure called backing. scene.
r) It is accomplished by placing the
investigator’s initials, the date the BASIC KINDS OF SKETCHES:
photograph was taken, a brief description 1. The rough sketch, prepared by the investigator at
of what the photograph represents, and an the crime scene, and
indication of direction.
2. The finished sketch, which may be prepared later any suspect still on the scene from
by a professional for presentation in court. observing the officer.
ii) The officer should obtain the names of
PURPOSES OF CRIME SCENE SKETCHES possible witnesses but avoid interviewing a
▪ Records the exact location and relationship of witness or suspect at length. This should be
pieces of evidence to other piece of evidence and left to follow-up investigators.
surroundings. jj) First responding officer should document in
▪ Refreshes the memory of the investigation and writing every action and movement they
witnesses. take, keeping in mind that this is likely to be
▪ Provides a permanent record of conditions the subject of examination and cross-
otherwise not easily recorded, such as distances examination if there is a trial.
involved in large areas; topography; paths of 2. The Investigator
vehicles in accidents; movements of the victim and Upon notification that a serious crime has been
suspect; skid marks committed, the investigator is expected to respond
▪ Assists prosecutor, judge, and jury to understand immediately to the crime scene.
the conditions at the crime scene.
▪ Helps in questioning suspects and witnesses. kk) Once on the scene, the first step the
▪ Eliminates unnecessary and confusing details. investigator should take is to interview the
first responding patrol officer who is
already there, keeping in mind that person’s
MOD 12: Duties of Police Personnel at the Crime Scene duties.
ll) The investigator should question the patrol
THREE DISTINCT CATEGORIES OF POLICE PERSONNEL officer about possible suspects or witnesses
OFTEN INVOLVED IN A CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION: who may still be present and the exact
conditions that were present when he
1. The First Responding Patrol Officer
arrived.
Generally, a uniformed police officer on patrol duty mm) Once the investigator has interviewed
(Patrolman) is the first law enforcement officer on the the first patrol officer, he must take charge
scene. of the crime scene by clearing it of all
unauthorized persons.
bb) It is the duty of this officer to arrest the nn) In most law enforcement agencies, the
suspect – if he or she is still present and if investigator or detective is the highest-
probable cause exists – and to give first aid ranking member of the police department
to the victim if there is an injury. at the crime scene and so makes the key
cc) The first responding patrol officer must also decisions about processing the scene and
question any possible witnesses at the investigating the crime.
scene. oo) The investigator must ensure that all
dd) He must safeguard the scene in order to complainants, witnesses, and suspects are
prevent unauthorized persons from removed from the scene to the station
entering it and preserve the integrity of any house or other facility for interviewing or
physical evidence. processing by designated police or police
ee) Generally, after quickly assessing the personnel.
situation, the patrol officer notifies his
supervisors and requests that investigators In many larger police agencies, several investigators
and criminalists respond to the scene. may respond and engage in investigatory duties. In
ff) The first responding officer must appreciate these cases, one of them should be designated as the
the importance of preventing or controlling primary, lead, or case investigator.
any changes in the crime scene.
pp) Any other police personnel; including other
gg) The officer must ensure he does not
investigators, report to and comply with the
introduce change into the crime scene.
directions of this investigator.
hh) The patrol car should be parked away from
qq) It is this investigator’s obligations to control
the crime scene, both to prevent affecting
all investigative activities and eventually
evidence left by the suspect and to prevent
present the case to the appropriate
 prosecutor if an arrest is made or a remedy against such usurpations when attempted.
prosecution commenced. (Adams vs. New York, 192, US, 585)
3. The Criminalist or Crime Scene Unit
RULE 126 RULES OF COURT
Many police departments employ the services of
criminalists, sometimes referred to as forensic Search and Seizure
technicians or crime scene technicians. Section 1. Search warrant defined. — A search warrant
rr) These individuals generally work in a police is an order in writing issued in the name of the People
department’s crime lab and respond to of the Philippines, signed by a judge, and directed to a
crime scenes, where they collect and peace officer, commanding him to search for personal
process physical evidence as requested by property described therein and bring it before the
the primary investigator. court. (1)
ss) Later, they process the evidence at the Section 2. Court where application for search warrant
crime lab. shall be filed. — An application for search warrant shall
Often, crime scene units consist of specially trained be filed with the following:
police officers or a combination of police officers and a) Any court within whose territorial
criminalists. jurisdiction a crime was committed.
ORGANIZING SEARCH OF THE CRIME SCENE b) For compelling reasons stated in the
application, any court within the judicial
THE WARRANT REQUIREMENT AT THE CRIME SCENE region where the crime was committed if
the place of the commission of the crime is
Investigators have to give serious consideration to the known, or any court within the judicial
need to obtain a search warrant prior to processing and region where the warrant shall be enforced.
searching a crime scene. The basic rationale for
obtaining a search warrant since the Supreme Court However, if the criminal action has already been filed,
case Katz v. United State (1967) is that whenever the application shall only be made in the court where
government agents intrude into an area where there is the criminal action is pending. (n)
a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Section 3. Personal property to be seized. — A search
If a crime occurs in an area where there is a reasonable warrant may be issued for the search and seizure of
expectation of privacy, then law enforcement officers personal property:
are compelled to obtain a search warrant before the
(a) Subject of the offense;
crime scene search.
(b) Stolen or embezzled and other proceeds, or
SEARCHES AND SEIZURES fruits of the offense; or
(c) Used or intended to be used as the means
Article III, Sec. 1, No. 3 Bill of Rights, PHILIPPINE of committing an offense. (2a)
CONSTITUTION
Section 4. Requisites for issuing search warrant. — A
The right of the people to be secured in their persons, search warrant shall not issue except upon probable
houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable cause in connection with one specific offense to be
searches and seizures shall not be violated and the determined personally by the judge after examination
warrant shall be issued upon probable causes to be under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the
determined by the judge after examination under oath witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing
or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses, he the place to be searched and the things to be seized
may produce, and particularly describing the place to be which may be anywhere in the Philippines. (3a)
searched, and the person or things to be seized.
RECOGNIZING POTENTIAL EVIDENCE
PURPOSES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION
The following basic checklist should be used to insure
The purpose is to prevent violation of the private that the investigator has recognized and examined all
security on person and property, and unlawful invasion potential evidence at the scene.
of the sanctity of the home by officers of the law acting
under legislative or judicial sanction, and to give a 1. What crime has occurred?
 tt) Different types of crime generate different As the trial date approaches, the investigator must
types of physical evidence. review the case life and determine whether the
2. Items unusual to the scene investigation is complete and ready for trial. In making
uu) Articles which would not normally be found this evaluation, the investigator should pay particular
at the type of scene in question should be attention to the following items:
collected as evidence, since it is likely that
the offender either brought the object to 1. Proving each element of the offense
the scene (e.g., bullet) or disturbed the ddd) Since our criminal justice system
object in its normal location (e.g., broken requires proof beyond reasonable doubt for
vase). each element of a criminal offense, the
vv) Such “out of context” item or foreign investigator should insure that he has
objects should usually be readily observable witness or rather legally admissible
and collected for examination. evidence sufficient to establish each
i. Conversely, the investigator should note items element. If possible, there should be several
which should be present at the scene but are of each element of the offense at bar.
not; such missing articles may later connect a 2. Rebutting obvious defenses
suspect with the crime. eee) The investigator should also be
3. Items necessary to complete prepared to furnish the prosecutor with
ww) Since any prosecution requires proof proof, which would counter self-defense,
that a crime has in fact been committed accident, provocation which the accused
(i.e., corpus delicti), the investigator should may be expected to raise.
process the scene with an eye toward 3. Assembling the evidence
collecting articles which prove a criminal fff) Pertinent physical evidence for the trial
should be assembled. This includes actual
act.
4. Weapons or other instruments of crime physical objects (e.g., weapons, tools or
xx) The officer should likewise search for drugs) previously stored, as well as
objects which could have been used to confessions, search warrants and other
commit the offense or to facilitate entry or legal documents.
exit of the offender. 4. Coordinating witnesses
5. Associative items ggg) The investigator must insure that each
yy) Where it is practical to do so, the scene witness can be located and will be able to
should be processed for items which may appear at the time of trial. Valid addresses
help to trace or identify the offender. should be obtained for each witness.
5. Assessing defendant’s character
zz) Such items will often be minute and quite
fragile. hhh) Reputation and character of the
6. Fingerprints or Tracks defendant may become an issue. Evidence
aaa) Attention should always be paid to concerning the victim’s general reputation
possible footprints, tire tracks and the like, for truth and veracity should thus be
since the offender must move to, and gathered.
around the scene. 6. Assessing character of witness
7. Evidence for standards of reference iii) Since the credibility of any witnesses is
likewise subject to attack on cross-
bbb) Often, materials at the scene may have
been unknowingly with such material on his examination, the investigator should check
person or in his possession at the time of arrest records for prior convictions and
arrest. otherwise assess whether a witness might
ccc) Samples for later comparison should be considered because of bias, prejudice or
therefore be collected when the scene is unreliability.
processed. CONFERENCE WITH PROSECUTOR
Several days before trial, the investigator should
arrange a conference with the prosecutor. At this
MOD 13: Preparing for Trial
meeting, issues and problems which might influence a
successful prosecution of the case should be discussed He should try to place appropriate
and the available proof gives a comprehensive review. emphasis on the highlights of his testimony.
o On assuming his position on the witness
INVESTIGATOR AS WITNESS stand, the investigator should picture
Investigators are often called upon to testify about accurately his position in the court.
matters to which he has personal knowledge. In such Although he may view himself as an
instances, the investigator the investigator should be objective collector and retailer of facts, he
aware of his own appearance and demeanor. should be unbiased and unprejudiced
because of his official position and
Appearance professional experience. The defense
jjj) The physical appearance of a witness clearly counsel will endeavor to portray him as a
makes an impression on the judge and the police officer trying to solve a case by
investigator should make sure that his is a seizing the nearest suspect at hand,
positive one. regardless; he must not display any
o Depending upon judicial and departmental extraordinary interest in presenting his
policies, the investigator may testify in his testimony. He must play the part of the
police uniform. If a uniform is not worn, the impartial, conscientious public servant
investigator should choose Polo Barong or a endeavoring in his modest way to achieve
white conservative Polo Shirt. the aims of justice. His calm, forthright
o If he is not in uniform, he should avoid presentation must be designed to win over
police trappings (such as handcuffs, jewelry the judge to a belief in his honesty and
with police logos) integrity.
o Most courts do not permit even uniformed RULES TO BE OBSERVED/FOLLOWED IN TESTIFYING
officers to wear sidearm while testifying.
1. Be confident but not cocky;
Demeanor 2. Do not lose one’s temper;
o The investigator should strive for an 3. Speak clearly;
impression of fairness in his court 4. Avoid the use of police jargon;
demeanor. Basically, he should act as one 5. Answer all questions truthfully, except questions
interested only in relating the facts of the which tend to subject him to punishment for an
case in a truthful manner – since this is in offense; nor need he give an answer which have a
fact his basic duty in the case direct tendency to degrade his character;
6. Answer the questions asked and avoid volunteering
On the witness stand: information;
7. Think before responding;
o On being called as a witness, the
8. Pause before answering to allow objection to be
investigator should step up to the stand and
made by prosecutor, if any;
permit himself to be sworn in. in sitting, he
9. If necessary, ask court permission to explain an
should assume a comfortable but alert
answer;
posture. He should give his full name, age,
10. If unsure of the answer, ask permission to refer to
his membership and rank in his department,
investigative notes;
and other personal circumstances.
11. Avoid being made an expert witness, if not truly
His testimony: qualified;
12. Maintain at all times, an attitude of respect and do
o His testimony should then be given slowly, not engage in sarcasm, witticism, or ridicule; absurd
audibly, and distinctly. The court questions should be answered seriously and
stenographer or steno typist should be temperately.
given an opportunity to hear and record
every word because he should address his
testimony to the judge.
o Since the prosecution is prevented from
asking leading questions, the testimony
which he should give, must be anticipated.
MOD 14: Methods of Searching the Crime Scene - The most essential point is that some logical plan be
used so that searchers do not wander about in
PROCESSING THE CRIME SCENE random fashion
The National Institute of Justice has published a set of - The search should be conducted as a team effort
helpful guidelines for private and public law - When an item of evidence is uncovered the entire
enforcement, the Crime Scene Search and Physical team should stop, and each member should
Evidence Handbook. perform his or her particular job: photographing,
measuring, recording, collecting, or packaging the
This manual emphasizes the importance of proper evidence
crime scene processing: Aside from any other - The selection of evidence to be collected and later
consideration, the investigator should consider the processed at the crime lab should center on
crime scene as highly dynamic – that is, undergoing evidence that could identify the suspect and
change – and fragile in the sense that the evidence indicate the modus operandi of the crime
value of items it contains can be easily downgraded.
Usually, there is only one opportunity to search the TYPES OF SEARCHES
scene properly. Making a good preliminary survey of Interior and Exterior Searches
the layout helps to use that opportunity to best
advantage. Processing the crime scene involves general - Survey the scene
preliminary duties, photographing, sketching and - Photograph the scene
preparing scale models, searching and recording the - Sketch the scene
crime scene, and reconstructing the crime. - Search the scene
- Re-examine the scene
SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE
Strip Search
Once general photographs and diagrams of the crime
scene have been completed, the actual search for - A strip search of the crime scene consists of
physical evidence can begin. As already mentioned, in processing the area by walking back and forth,
large police departments, many investigators and viewing an approximately three to four foot-strip
criminalists may be involved in the scene or the with each pass. As one strip is completed, the
specialized crime unit. In small departments, a single investigator moves to the next parallel strip.
investigator may carry out all of the duties in processing - Advantages:
the scene or the first patrol at the scene may be the a) Simple and thorough
only one available. b) Flexible enough to accommodate either
several searchers
When several people are involved: - Disadvantages:
- The primary investigator should give each one a a) The method may be difficult to utilize over
specific responsibility: rugged terrain, or where the crime scene is
o One designated as the photographer ill-defined
o One the master note taker who records the b) This method is potentially inefficient,
time, location and description of each item because the fact that most scene have a
of evidence major point of impact (e.g., the body in a
o Another the evidence collector who homicide) around which the bulk of
collects, marks, and packages the evidence evidence is likely to be found.
o Another master sketch artist who makes Grid Search or Double Strip Search
the various sketches necessary
- By this time the temporary headquarters should - A grid search consists of two strip searches
have been set up conducted over the same area at right angles to one
- A specific plan or method should be used to start another
the search - Advantages:
- The particular type of search chosen is not vital and a) Places a premium on thoroughness since
is usually determined by the number of searchers each spot in the area is examined twice.
present and the size and particulars of the crime - Disadvantages:
scene a) Takes twice as long as a strip search
 b) Objects found at the second pass may - The best search options are typically the most
actually have been left by the searchers on difficult and time consuming
the first pass - Physical evidence cannot be over documented
- There is only one chance to search the scene
Spiral Search properly
- A clockwise circle is begun at the major impact - There are two search approaches:
point of the scene and the searcher circles that a) Conduct a cautious search of visible areas,
point at an ever increasing radius avoiding evidence loss or contamination
- Advantages: b) After the cautious search, conduct a
a) The impact point of the scene is the focal vigorous search of concealed areas
point on investigation PREPARATION
b) The boundaries of the relevant search are
more easily defined, since the investigator - Obtain a search warrant, if necessary
will eventually reach a point when no more - Discuss the search with involved personnel before
evidence is being discovered arrival at the scene, if possible
- Disadvantages: - Establish a command headquarters for
a) In order to reach the point of impact, the communication and decision making in major or
investigator must track across (and complicated crime scene searches
potentially contaminate) a portion of the - Ensure that personnel are aware of the types of
crime scene evidence usually encountered and the proper
b) The point of impact is not always at the handling of the evidence
geographic center of the crime scene - Make preliminary personnel assignments before
c) The spiral method cannot be easily used arrival at the scene, if possible
with multiple searchers - Ensure that assignments are in keeping with the
attitude, aptitude, training, and experience of
Zone Search personnel. Personnel may be assigned two or more
- The area to be search is divided into unit zones and responsibilities: person in charge (scene security,
each unit is then processed individually as a administrative log, preliminary survey; narrative
separate crime scene description; problem resolution; final decision
- Advantages: making); photographer (photography and log);
a) Aids in organizing a large or complex crime sketch preparer (sketch and log); evidence recorder
scene (evidence custodian and log).
b) Numerous personnel can be used without - Establish communication between medical
getting in each other’s way examiners, laboratory personnel, and prosecuting
- Disadvantages: attorneys so that questions during the crime scene
a) Can only be used when the crime scene search can be resolved
permits a sub-dividing - Coordinate agreements with all agencies in multi-
b) If used too often, supervision and jurisdictional crime scene searches
coordination of the units may be difficult - Accumulate evidence collection and packaging
materials and equipment
Wheel (Inward and Outward) Search - Prepare the paperwork to document the search
- The least effective, particularly in a large area. The - Provide protective clothing, communication,
tendency is to concentrate on the center and lighting, shelter, transportation, equipment, food,
hence, to miss the evidence on the outside. water, medical assistance, and security for
personnel
FBI GUIDELINDS FOR THE CRIME SCENE SEARCH - In prolonged searches, use shifts of two or more
teams. Transfer paperwork and responsibility in a
A crime scene search is a planned, coordinated, and
pre-planned manner from one team to the next
legal search by law enforcement officials to locate
physical evidence. APPROACH
BASIC PREMISES - Be alert for evidence
- Take extensive notes
- Consider the safety for all personnel
SECURE AND PROTECT - Use a systematic approach in the narrative
- Nothing is insignificant to record if it catches one’s
- Take control of the scene immediately attention
- Determine the extent to which the scene has been - Under most circumstances, do not collect evidence
protected. Obtain information from personnel who during the narrative
have knowledge of the original condition - Use photographs and sketches to supplement, not
- Designate one person to be in charge of final substitute for, the narrative
decision making and problem resolution - The narrative should include:
- Continue to take extensive notes a) Case identifier
- Keep out unauthorized personnel b) Date, time, and location
- Record who enters and leaves c) Weather and lighting conditions
PRELIMINARY SURVEY d) Identity and assignments of personnel
e) And condition and position of evidence
The survey is the organizational stage to plan for the
search PHOTOGRAPHY

- Cautiously walk through the scene - Photograph the crime scene as soon as possible
- Maintain administrative and emotional control - Prepare a photographic log that records all
- Select a narrative technique, such as written, audio, photographs and a description and location of
or video evidence
- Take preliminary photographs - Establish a progression of overall, medium, and
- Delineate the extent of the search area. Usually, close-up views of the crime scene
expand the initial perimeter - Photograph from eye level to represent the normal
- Organized methods and procedures view
- Recognize special problem areas - Photograph the most fragile areas of the crime
- Identify and protect transient physical evidence scene first
- Determine personnel and equipment needs. Make - Photograph all stages of the crime scene
specific assignments investigation, including discoveries
- Develop a general theory of the crime - Photograph the condition of evidence before
- Take extensive notes to document the scene, recovery
physical and environmental conditions, and - Photograph the evidence in detail and include a
personnel movements scale, the photographer’s initials and date
- When a scale is used, first take a photograph
EVALUATE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE POSSIBILITIES without the scale
This evaluation begins upon arrival at the scene and - Photograph the interior crime scene in an overall
becomes detailed in the preliminary survey stage and overlapping series using a wide-angle lens
- Photograph the exterior crime scene, establishing
- Ensure that the collection and packaging materials the location of the scene by a series of overall
and equipment are sufficient photographs including a landmark
- Focus first on evidence that could be lost. Leave the - Photographs should have 360 degrees of coverage.
least transient evidence at last. Consider using aerial photography
- Ensure that all personnel consider the variety of - Photograph entrances and exits
possible evidence, not only evidence within their - Photograph important evidence twice;
specialties. a) A medium distance photograph that shows
- Search the easily accessible areas and progress to the evidence
out-of-view locations. Look for hidden items b) A close-up photograph that includes a scale
- Evaluate whether evidence appears to have been and fills the frame
moved inadvertently c) Acquire prior photographs, blueprints, or
- Evaluate whether the scene appears to be maps of the scene
contrived.
SKETCH
NARRATIVE
The sketch establishes a permanent record of items,
The narrative is a running description of the crime scene conditions, and distance and size relationships
- Sketches supplement photographs - Discuss the search with all personnel
- Sketch number designations should coordinate with - Ensure that all documentation is correct and
the evidence log number designations complete
- Sketches are normally not drawn to scale. However, - Photograph the scene showing the final condition
the sketch should have measurements and details - Ensure that all evidence is secured
for a drawn-to-scale diagram, if necessary - Ensure that all equipment is retrieved
- The sketch should include: - Ensure that hiding places or difficult access areas
a) Case identifier have not been overlooked
b) Date, time, and location
c) Weather and lighting conditions RELEASE
d) Identity and assignments of personnel - Release the crime scene after the final survey
e) Dimensions of rooms, furniture, doors and - Crime scene release documentation should include
windows the time and date of release, to whom released,
f) Distances between objects, persons, bodies, and by whom released
entrances, and exits - Ensure that the evidence is collected according to
g) Measurements showing the location of legal requirements, documented and marked for
evidence (each object should be located by identification
two measurements from non-movable - Consider the need for specialists such as blood
items such as doors or walls pattern analyst or a medical examiner to observe
h) Key, legend, compass orientation, scale, the scene before it is released
scale disclaimer, or a combination of these - Once the scene has been released, re-entry may
features require a warrant
CRIME SCENE SEARCH, RECORD, AND PHYSICAL - The scene should be released only when all
EVIDENCE COLLECTION personnel are satisfied that the scene was searched
correctly and completely
- Use a search pattern such as grid, strip or lane, or - Only the person in charge should release the scene
spiral
- Search from the general to the specific for evidence
- Be alert for all evidence
- Search entrances and exits
- Photograph all items before collection and notate
the photographic log
- Mark evidence locations on the sketch
- Complete the evidence log with notations for each
item of evidence. If feasible, have one person serve
as evidence custodian
- Two persons should observe evidence in place,
during recovery, and being marked for
identification. If feasible, mark directly on the
evidence
- Wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints
- Do not excessively handle the evidence after
recovery
- Seal all evidence packages at the crime scene
- Obtain known standards such as fiber samples from
a known carpet
- Make a complete evaluation of the crime scene
- Constantly check paperwork, packaging, and other
information for errors
FINAL SURVEY
The final survey is a review of all aspects of the search