CDI I
FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATION
Prepared by : Karlen Ceniza Georfo Reyes Rcrim
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:
• Define the key terms in relation to criminal investigation;
• Distinguish criminal investigation as an art, a science and a process.
• Identify the different phases, kinds, forms and categories of criminal investigation;
• State the importance of the six (6) cardinal points of criminal investigation.
• State the functions of a criminal investigator.
• Describe the different qualities of a criminal investigator.
Definition of Terms
1. Investigation refers to the process of carrying out a detailed examination or inquiry usually in official
manner, to discover something or somebody.
2. Criminal Investigation is a logical process of collection and analysis of facts about persons, things and
places relative to a crime. It includes:
a. Identification of the guilty party
b. The location of the whereabouts of the guilty party, and
c. Providing admissible evidence to establish the guilt of the parties involved in the crime.
3.Criminal investigation is an undertaking that seeks, collects, and gathers evidence of a crime for a case
or specific purpose.
Etymology of Investigation
• 1. The term came from the Latin word INVESTIGARE (vestigare in some books) which means “to track
or to look into for traces”.
• 2. Fundamentally, it may have been derived from VESTIGIUM, another Latin word which means
footprint. (MS Encarta Reference Library, 2009)
• 3. Criminal Investigation came from the Latin term Investigat, which means “to inquire or to discover”
during the 5th century (Microsoft® Encarta® 2008. © 1993-2007 Microsoft Corporation).
Criminal Investigation as
1. An ART based on intuition and sometimes by chance.
2. A SCIENCE because it involves the application of knowledge of
forensic sciences.
3. A PROCESS because it involves systematic procedure.
Goals of Criminal Investigation
The goals of criminal investigation are the following:
1. To determine whether a crime has been committed;
2. To legally obtain information or evidence;
3. To identify persons involved in the crime;
4. To arrest suspects ;
5. To recover stolen properties;
6. To present the best possible case to the prosecutor
Kinds of Criminal Investigation
Generally speaking, there are only two kinds of criminal
investigation:
1. Investigation while the suspect is under arrest and detention; and
2. Investigation while the suspect is “at large”. It means that the
suspect is not under arrest or detention, as distinguished from
fugitive from justice.
The Four Phases of Criminal
Investigation
1.The identification of criminal.
2.The criminal is traced, located and arrested.
3.The facts or evidence to prove the guilt of the
accused are gathered.
4.Pieces of evidence are presented in court.
The six Cardinal Points of Criminal
Investigation
• 1. WHO QUESTIONS: These are questions used to inquire on the identity of the victims or offended party, name
of suspect, accomplices, accessories and witnesses of the crime.
• 2. WHAT QUESTIONS: The purpose of these types of questions is to find out what happened or what took place
before, during and immediately after the commission of the offense.
• 3. WHERE QUESTIONS: These are questions that localize the place of the incident- the city or town, the district
or barangay, the street or road, the number of the house or building. Where questions are necessary in specifically
pinpointing the particular location of the crime scene.
• 4. WHEN QUESTIONS: These are questions needed to determine and fix the time, day, month and year when the
crime was committed. When questions should be specified and as accurate as possible.
• 5. WHY QUESTIONS: These are questions that endeavor to ascertain the motives, causes, antecedents, previous,
incidents, related facts, background occurrences that might help explain the commission of the offense.
• 6. HOW QUESTIONS: These are designed to help the investigator determine how the crime was committed, the
means/tools are employed, the crime was discovered, and the culprit enters the building/room.
The Golden Rule in Criminal
Investigation
“Do not touch, alter, move, or transfer any object at the
crime scene unless it is properly marked, measured,
sketched and/or photographed.”
The Criminal Investigator
Criminal investigator is the superstar in the process of
investigation. He must be capable of observation and
a rational thinker. Many times, a police investigator is
being tested with his discretion.
Roles of Investigator
1.Determine whether a crime has been committed.
2.Identify the victim/s and the offender
3.Locate and apprehend the accused
4.Present evidence of guilt for the suspect/s
5.Assist in case follow-up
Qualities of a Criminal Investigator
1. Perseverance - bring the desired conclusion in spite of obstacles.
2. Endurance is the ability to last physically and mentally.
3. Incorruptible Honesty and Integrity.
4. The intelligence and Wisdom of Solomon. Investigator could easily decipher falsehood from truth and separate the gain from the
chaff.
5. Acting Ability is the ability to go down to the level of different types of individuals.
6. Mastery of the Oral and Written Communication
7. The Keen Power of Observation and Description
8. Courage is the moral fortitude to tell the truth no matter who will be hurt.
9. Working Knowledge of laws
10. The power to “read between the lines.” This is the ability of the investigator to interpret the words or phrases encountered in the
process of investigation.
11. Working knowledge of martial arts and firearms proficiency.
