Forensic Science Notes

Definition of terms
a. Crime Scene – A venue or place where the alleged crime/incident/event has been committed;

b. 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
perpetrators(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;

c. 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 scence to render assistance to the victim
and to protect and secure the incident scene;

d. 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, discipline and experienced professional in the field of criminal
investigation duties and responsibilities;

e. 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;

f. 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;

g. After SOCO Report – It is a report rendered and prepared by the Team Leader of the PNP
Crime Laboratory SOCO which conducted the scene of the crime operations;

h. 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;

i. 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;

j. 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;
k. 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
l. 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.

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 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.

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 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 Operation 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 Operation 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 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.

4. Release of the Crime Scene

a. The IOC shall decide on the lifting of the security cordon and the release of the crime
scene upon consultation with the SOCO Team Leader and he shall be responsible in
ensuring that all pieces of potential evidence were collected by the SOCO Team as any
re-entry into crime scene after its release to the owner will require a Search Warrant
issued by the Court.

b. The IOC shall accomplish the CSI Form “6” – IOC/Investigator’s CSI
Form before the cordon shall be lifted;

c. The IOC shall ensure that appropriate inventory has been provided by the SOCO
Team and shall only lift the security cordon and release the crime scene only after
completion of the documentation process;

d. 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;

e. 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

f. The CSI report shall be the first entry in the Case Folder for the investigation of the
incident.
 SAMPLE FORMAT

CSI Form “1” – First Responders Report

 SAMPLE FORMAT

CSI Form “2” Request for the Conduct of SOCO

 SAMPLE FORMAT

CSI Form “4” – SOCO Report Forms

 SAMPLE FORMAT

CSI Form “6” – IOC/Investigator’s CSI Form

References:

Supreme Court E-Library

PNP Manual

Note: For educational purposes only