Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
What is a CRIME?
Crime is a breach of Rules or Laws.
Now a days crime has become an integral part of human society.
Crime is a deviant behavior that violate prevailing norms, cultural standards
prescribing how humans ought to behave normally.
Changing social, political, psychological, and economic conditions may affect
the concept of crime and the form of the legal, law enforcement, and penal
responses made by the authority concerned.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
A crime (or misdemeanor or felony) is an act done by a person which is
against the laws of a country or region. ...
Things like killing another person, injuring another person, or stealing
from another person are crimes in most countries.
Also, it can be a crime to have or sell contraband such as guns or illegal
drugs.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
What is Crime Scene?
Crime scene is an area or vicinity of occurrence of physical evidence.
It can be understood to include all areas in which the criminal, any
possible victim, and any eyewitnesses moved during the time the crime was
committed.
In some crimes, however, the crime scene may actually comprise
several different sites.
A crime scene is a place that is being investigated by the police
because a crime has taken place there.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Illustrative Case:
One evening, a young girl was forcibly abducted from her bedroom.
She was put into a car and transported to a small hut in an isolated place.
Then and there, she was willfully, feloniously, and intentionally
sexually assaulted.
Subsequently, the abductor shot her to death and then carried the
body into the woods to bury the body in a shallow grave.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Illustrative Case:
What are the locations in this given example that constitute the crime scene?
1. Bedroom 3. Small hut
2. Car 4. Woods/ area around the grave
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Investigation, Defined as:
The conduct of the process, more particularly the recognition,
search, handling, preservation and documentation of physical
evidence to include the identification and interview of witnesses and
the arrest of suspect/s at the crime scene.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
First Responder
First responder is any police officer who first arrived at the crime
scene and shall endeavor to protect and secure the crime scene. The first
responder must be able to properly preserve the crime scene in order to
get maximum scientific information that will help in the successful
prosecution of the perpetrator of the crime.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
First Responder
Upon arrival at the crime scene:
a. Cordon off the crime scene with whatever available materials like
police line, if available, or ropes, straws or human barricade;
b. Evacuate injured persons to the nearest hospital;
c. Prepare to tale the “dying declaration” of severely injured person, if
any.
d. Prevent entry/exit of persons within the cordoned area; and
e. Prepare to brief the investigators of the situation upon arrival.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Analysis or Response
Crime scene analysis or response is much more than processing
(searching) and documenting (notes, photos, sketches) and certainly more
than packaging (collecting) and tagging (preserving evidence).
Crime scene analysis is a slow, methodical, systematic, and orderly
process of collecting physical evidence based on proper recognition and
collection to be processed in the laboratory for forensic examiner to uncover
significant clues from them.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Analysis or Response
List of physical evidence that will most likely yield significant examination result:
1. Blood, semen and saliva (liquid or dried, animal or human)
2. Documents (written and typed – paper, ink, indented writings,
obliterations or blurred or charred documents
3. Drugs
4. Explosives (any object that contain an explosive residue)
5. Hairs and fibers
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Analysis or Response
List of physical evidence cont’d.
6. Fingerprints (latent and visible)
7. Firearm and ammunition
8. Glass particles or fragments that may have been transferred to person or
object involved in a crime
9. Impressions (shoe prints, depressions in soils and other tracks, glove
and fabric impressions and bite mark)
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Cases Falling under the SOCO category
a. Murder
b. Homicide
c. Rape and Homicide
d. Arson
e. Robbery and Homicide
f. Other heinous/sensational cases as directed by higher headquarters and
other cases where SOCO assistance is necessary.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Composition of SOCO Team
a. Team leader
b. Driver/ Evidence Custodian
c. SOCO specialists/ Technicians
Health officer
Crime photographer
Sketcher/ Measurer
Forensic chemical officer
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Basic SOCO Equipment/ Materials
1. Police Line
2. Measuring device e.g. ruler and measuring tape
3. Recording materials e.g. chalk, notebook, sketching and paper
pad, pencils, pentel pens, permanent ink marker and coupon bond
4. SLR camera with film
5. Video camera
6. Tape recorder
7. Evidence collection kit
8. Compass
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Basic SOCO Equipment/ Materials – cont’d
9. Search light with battery charger
10. Evidence tags/ markers
11. First aid kit
12. Paper bags (all sizes)
13. Stylus
14. Vernier caliper
15. Micrometer
16. Paraffine wax
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Basic SOCO Equipment/ Materials – cont’d
17. SOCO forms and crime lab request forms
18. Gloves
19. Gauze
20. Fingerprint card
21. Black and white latent lifting card
22. Eraser
23. Stapler with extra staple wire
24. Kit board
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
SOCO Tools
1. Flashlight
2. Scissors
3. Knife (heavy duty and folding)
4. Rulers and measuring tapes
5. Adjustable wrench
6. Pliers
7. Wire cutter
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
SOCO Tools – cont’d
8. Complete screwdriver set
9. Saw
10. Hammer
11. Ax or hatchet
12. Shovel
13. Fingerprint magnifier
14. Nylon brush
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
SOCO Tools – cont’d
15. Magnet
16. Spatula
17. Box of plaster of Paris for casting
18. Goggles
19. Sitting screen
20. Funnel (different sizes)
21. Scalpels
22. Ladder
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Preparation
Basic Equipment
Police line
Marker
Camera with film
Evidence collection kit
Video camera and tape recorder
Measuring device (ruler, measuring tape)
Flashlight, hand gloves, masks, eye goggles, hair net
Recording materials (chalk, bond paper, pencil, clipboard, pentel pens
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Preparation
Evidence Containers
Glass vials
Absorbent cottons
Paper bags, plastic bags
String tags – large and small
Plastic gallons, bottles (small and large)
Evidence tape (masking or scotch tape)
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Approaching the Crime Scene
Be Alert
Make pertinent notes as to possible entry and exit points of the perpetrator
Crime Scene Investigation Proper
a. Receipt of briefing and designation of command post
- The team leader upon arrival at the crime scene receives the briefing
from the fist responder and shall immediately designate a command post.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Investigation Proper
Command Post is an area which is ideally located adjacent to the crime
scene where the CSI evidence custodian stays and receives the pieces of
evidence turned over to him for safekeeping by the other evidence
collectors..
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Investigation Proper
b. Initiation of preliminary Survey
The team leader makes a general assessment of the scene, takes a
cautious walk-through of the crime scene, takes down extensive notes
to document important factors and establishes the evidence most likely
to be encountered. He will then define the extent of the search area,
and determines personnel and equipment needed, makes specific
assignments. From his assessments, he develops a general theory of the
crime scene.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Investigation Proper
c. Preparation of Narrative Report
The team leader uses the systematic approach in making the narrative
report.
d. Documentation of the Crime Scene
The photographer should begin taking photographs as soon as
possible- from general to specific areas. The evidence collectors should
not touch or move any evidence where it is originally located until it
has been identified, photographed, sketched, measured and recorded. Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Investigation Proper
e. Crime Scene Sketch
A rough sketch should be prepared indicating the actual measurement
of things with scale and proportion observed and oriented to the north
pole. All necessary information should be placed in the sketch.
f. Detailed Search
The search for physical evidence must be done using the accepted
methods of search depending upon the actual location to be searched.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Investigation Proper
g. Collection of Physical Evidence
The competence to recognize and properly collect physical evidence is
critical to both solving and prosecuting crimes. The team leader should
be informed always of the significant evidence found. It must be noted
that the evidence collector should put his initial, location and date of
collection on the item and turn it over to the evidence custodian for
documentation and safe-keeping.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Investigation Proper
h. Conduct of Final Survey
The team leader shall make a final review of the crime scene to
determine whether or not the processing has been completed.
i. Release of the Crime Scene
The release of the crime scene shall be done if the investigator is
satisfied that all pieces of evidence have been recovered.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Investigation Proper
i. Detailed Search – cont’d
Hence, the investigator must evaluate the items recovered from the
results of interrogation of the suspect/s and the witnesses. It must be
noted that upon formal release of the crime scene to the proper
authority, a warrant is already required for his re-entry to the crime
scene.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Photography
The purpose of taking photographs of the crime scene is to create an
accurate objective visual record of the crime scene before any physical
evidence is moved or removed from its original location.
Guidelines for taking photographs
During the conduct of the crime scene operation, it is basic that
photographs of a crime scene should be taken as soon as possible
before the start of taking notes, sketching and searching for physical
evidence.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Guidelines for taking photographs
It must be noted that the photographs should illustrate the original,
uncontaminated condition of the crime scene.
Photographs should be taken of the crime scene only. No investigator
or any police personnel should be photographed on the crime scene.
The photographs must form an organized sequence and show all
relevant locations and objects.
The crime scene photographs must progress from general to specific.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Sketches
Sketches are useful in questioning the suspects and witnesses as well as
in writing the investigative reports.
A rough sketch must be made indicating the actual measurement of
things with scale and proportion observed and oriented to the north
pole. All necessary information must be placed in the sketch.
Sketches are excellent companions to photograph. Where photographs
provide exact details, sketches give accurate information about the
placement of the objects and they show relationship and distances
between things.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Note Taking
Note-taking must be constant activity throughout the processing of the
crime scene.
Notes must include:
1. detailed written description of the crime scene with locations
of physical evidence received.
2. time when the physical evidence was discovered.
3. person who discovered and collected the physical evidence.
4. how the evidence was packaged and marked.
5. the disposition of the item when it was collected. Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Documentation
Documentation is made by the crime scene
investigator for purposes of future crime scene
reconstruction which will help the prosecutor and the
judge understand conditions at the crime scene.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Search
The search for physical evidence is done using the accepted methods
of search depending upon the actual locations to be searched.
The crime scene search could only be started after the crime scene has
been photographed and sketched.
The primary duty of the SOCO team leader upon arrival at eh crime
scene is to make proper coordination with the investigator-on-case or
the officer-in-charge. The purpose of coordination is to secure the
approval of the investigator before SOCO assumes control of the crime
scene. The team may proceed with the processing after conducting the
general survey and after establishing a common approach path. Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Search
As every crime scene is unique, the employment of each method of
search depends on the physical nature of the scene and the kind of
offense involved. Each approach varies as eh situation dictates. For
purpose of scene of crime operation or crime scene processing, the
following methods may be employed:
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Search
1. Quadrant or Zone Search Method
In this method, one searcher is assigned to a quadrant. Then each quadrant is cut
into another set of quadrants.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Search
2. Strip or Line Search Method
In this method, the area is blocked out in the form of a rectangle. The searcher
proceeds slowly at the same pace along path parallel to one side of the rectangle.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Search
2. Strip or Line Search Method
When a piece of evidence is found, the finder announces his discovery and the
search must stop until evidence has been cared for. A photographer is called, if
necessary. The evidence is collected and tagged and the search proceeds at given
signal. At the end of the rectangle, the searcher turns and proceeds along new
lanes as shown in the illustration.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Search
3. Spiral Search Method
In this method, the searchers follow each other along the path of a spiral,
beginning on the outside and spiraling in towards the center.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Search
4. Grid or Double Strip Search Method
The grid or double strip method of search is a modification of strip search
method. Here, the rectangle is traversed first parallel to the base then parallel to
the side.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Crime Scene Search
5. Wheel Search Method
In this method of search, the area is
considered to be approximately circular. The
searchers gather at the center and proceed
outward along radii or spokes.
The procedure should be repeated several times depending
on the size of the circle and the number of searchers. One shortcoming of this method is
the great increase in the area to be observed as the searcher departs from the center.
Another is the possibility of the evidence contamination or destruction with the
likelihood that the searchers will step on them as they converge at the center.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Purpose of a Crime Scene Search
1. To systematically look for physical evidence that may prove
useful in establishing that a crime has been committed.
2. To determine what method of operation the perpetrator
my have used.
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Items to be included in a Police Report
▢ Existing witness reports
▢ Description of the crime scene:
▢ Address ▢ Specific crime committed
▢ Crime scene evidence ▢ Locations
▢ Date ▢ Time
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Items to be included in a Police Report
▢ Chronological narrative (include each of the following, if they apply):
▢ How did you come upon the scene? ▢ Who was involved?
▢ Which investigative avenues are being taken? ▢ What was said?
▢ Arrests made ▢ Evidence
▢ Reason why the officer was on the scene ▢ Booking
▢ Description of witnesses ▢ Description of crime committed
▢ Details about other officers involved ▢ Any other relevant factors
Note: CTTO
Scene Of the Crime Operation
(SOCO)
Items to be included in a Police Report
Editing Steps
▢ Report is typed (unless specifically requested to be hand-written)
▢ Report is current (continues up until the present day)
▢ Report contains proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation
▢ Names of witnesses and places are spelled correctly
▢ Report is free of subjective wording and personal opinions
(except in witness reports) Note: CTTO
