Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Display understanding on the procedures on crime scene

processing;

2. Recognize the types of crime documentation; and scene

3. Display understanding on methods of evidence collection and

preservation.
 Types of Crimes Scenes:

1. Indoor
2. Outdoor
-A crime scene is the physical 3. Conveyances
location where a suspect 4. Primary
commits an illegal act or leaves 5 Secondary
evidence of such an offense.
Indoor Crime
Scene
Outdoor Crime
Scene

Conveyances crime scene

 The SOCO Team is
SPECIAL SOCO PROCEDURES
responsible for clearing
Special Soco Procedures, lifted bombing cases, coordinating
from Revised Philippine National with the Special Rescue
Police Operational Procedures, Team, and acting as the FR to
2021, require specialists from the Interim Disaster Victim
the CL to process significant or Identification Task Group
sensational cases. (IDVITG) of the PNP CL. They
also have the authority to
.
direct operating units to
submit personnel for forensic
examination and service
tests, expediting the
investigation of cases
involving chemical,
biological, radiological, or
Processing of Persons Present at
the Crime Scene During Post- c) Witnesses; and
Incident Situations d) Key participants in the incident

The International Criminal Court 2) Venue of Processing,

(IC) will ensure that the Debriefing and
following actions are taken upon Documentation-
The processing, debriefing,
the surrender or capture of the and investigation will be
perpetrators. conducted at a neutral and
. secure location due to the
1) Processing, Debriefing instability of the situation and
and Documentation: the safety of responders and
scene residents.
a) Victims;
b) Perpetrators;
 b. Secure the scene by installing
Procedure at the Crime Scene the crime scene tape or rope
(police line).
1. Upon arrival at the crime
a.Record
scene the time and date of
arrival at the crime scene, its c. Before handling a crime
location, weather conditions, scene, determine if the victim
lighting type, wind direction, is alive or dead.
and visibility.
d . The task involves
assigning a team member or
summoning other police to
ensure the scene is secured
and only authorized
individuals can enter.
F . The assailant's identity can be
determined through inquiry or a. The pleace where the crime
observation, and if he is still in the occurred;
vicinity, he should be arrested.
b. Potential points and paths of exit
and entry of suspects and
g. Separate the witness to get witnesses; and
independent statements.
c. Places where the victim/evidence
may have been moved.
The Initial Responding Officer
Should: 2. To prevent crime, set up barriers
such as ropes, cones, and crime
1. Establish boundaries of the scene, scene tape, or use existing
start at the focal point and extend boundaries like doors, walls, and
outward to include: gates.
 5. Implement measures to
preserve or protect lost or
compromised evidence, such
3. Document the entry or exit
as preventing damage from
of all individuals entering and
elements like rain, snow, wind,
leaving the scene once
footsteps, tire tracks, and
boundaries have been
sprinklers.
established.
6. Document the original location
of the victim or objects that are
4. The task involves managing being moved.
the movement of personnel 7. the importance of considering
and animals entering and search and seizure issues,
leaving the scene to ensure obtaining consent or a search
its integrity. warrant, and establishing
boundaries to maintain the
integrity of evidentiary material.
Searching for Evidence
2. A systematic search of
1. Each crime scene varies based evidence should be conducted
on the physical nature of the in rooms, buildings, and small
scene and the crime or offense outdoor areas using clockwise
involved. Thus, the scene is movement for uniformity
processed in accordance with the
prevailing physical characteristics
of the scene.
 b. If any doubt exists as to the
The investigator should value of an item, treat it as
examine each item evidence until proven otherwise.
encountered of the floor, walls,
and ceiling to locate anything
that maybe of evidentiary
c. Ensure that the item or area
value. An investigator where latent fingerprints may be
should: present is closely examined and
that action is taken to develop the
print.
a. Give particular attention d. Carefully protect any
to fragile evidence that impression of evidentiary value in
may be destroyed or surfaces conducive to making
contaminated if it is not casts or molds. If possible,
collected when photograph the impression and
discovered. make a cast or mold.
e. Note stains, spots, and
pools of liquid within the 3. In large outdoor areas, it is
scene and treat them as advisable to divide the area
evidence. into strips of four (4) feet
wide. The policeman may
f. Treat as evidence all other begin with the strip on his
items, such as hairs, fibers, left as he faces the scene
and earth particles, foreign to and continue with the
the area in which they are adjoining strips.
found e.g., matter found
under the victim's
g. Proceed systematically and
fingerprints.
uninterruptedly to the 4. It may be advisable to
conclusion of the processing make a search beyond the
of the scene. area of the immediate scene
of the incident or crime
 5. After the search has been A photographer is called, if
completed, the investigator necessary. The collected
should examine the object or evidence should be tagged
person attacked by the and the search should
offender. proceed at a given signal. At
Methods of Search the end of the rectangle, the
1. STRIP SEARCH METHOD- searchers turn and proceed
along new lanes.
The Strip Search Method
involves three searchers, A,
B, and C, blocking a
rectangle and moving slowly
along parallel paths. They
announce evidence finds,
stop the search, and secure
it.
 3. SPIRAL SEARCH METHOD
2. THE DOUBLE STRIP OR -In this method, the three
GRID METHOD OF SEARCH- searchers follow each other in
This is a modified strip search a spiral path, beginning on the
method. Here, the rectangle is outside and spiraling toward
traversed first, parallel to the the center.
base, then parallel to the side.
4. ZONE SEARCH METHOD- 5. WHEEL SEARCH METHOD
In this method, one searcher is -The search method
assigned to each subdivision of involves a circular area,
a quadrant, then each with the searcher gathering
quadrant is cut into another at the center and moving
set of quadrants. outward along radii or
spokes, repeating the
procedure as needed.
Collecting Evidence 4. In the collection, the investigator
should touch the evidence only when
1. This is accomplished after the necessary
completion of the search, the a) Physical Evidence
rough sketch has been finished
and the photographs have been -These are items and materials
taken. discovered at the crime scene
related to the investigation.
2. Fragile evidence should be
collected as they are found.
3. All firearms with tampered
serial numbers must undergo
macro etching at the Crime
Laboratory, with a report to the
Firearms and Explosive Office
for verification.
b) Kinds of Physical Evidence: c) Procedure on the Care of
Physical Evidence
1. Corpus Delicti- Objects or
substances which are an
essential part of the body of the To introduce the evidence in
crime trial, three important
factors must be considered:
2. Associative evidence-
Evidence(s) which links the 1. The article must be
suspect to the crime or offense. "Properly identified"
Examples are footprints, shoe
prints, etc. 2. Continuity or chain of
custody of evidence must
3. Tracing evidence- be proven; and
Evidence(s) which assist the
investigator in locating the
suspect.
 3. Competency must be proven,
which means that the evidence 4. To exonerate the innocent;
is material and relevant to the
5. To corroborate victim's
matter under investigation.
testimony;
d) The Purpose of Physical
Evidence 6. To induce the suspects to
make admissions or even
1. To prove that the crime has
confess;
been committed;
7. Negative evidence can
2. To link the suspect to the
help provide proof.
suspect or to the crime
scene; 8. Physical evidence can be
more reliable than eyewitness
3. To establish the identity of testimony.
the persons associated with a
crime;
 a) Protection of the Physical
Evidence- The evidence must be
e) Chain of Custody of Evidence presented in court in the same
substantial condition as it is at the
The process of locating time the offense was committed. It
evidence from crime must be protected from:
scene collection to court
presentation should be i. Natural Alteration-
minimized, ensuring Exposure to outside elements
minimal handling of may result to the deterioration
evidence from the alleged of the evidentiary value of an
offense to final case object. Rain, high temperature,
disposition. may affect the evidentiary
value of an object. Blood
samples may loss its blood
grouping property by
refrigeration.
 b) Labeling or Tagging of Physical
ii. Negligence and Evidence- This is to facilitate proper
Accidental Cause- Precaution identification of the pieces of
against breakage, destruction evidence being collected. This may
take in the form of paper pasted on
of fragile or delicate materials, the container or a tag tied to the
accidental markings on object. The following information
documents and others must be should appear in the label or tag:
prevented.
i. Case number;

iii. Intentional Cause, ii. Date and time of finding

Damage or Theft- Measures the article;
should be made and provided
to maintain security of iii. Name and complete
evidence. description of articles;
 2. Items that could not be
iv. Location of the article(s) at marked should be placed in a
the time of discovery; suitable container and
sealed.
v. Signature of the investigator
who made the discovery; and
Preservation of Evidence
vi. Name of witness(es) during
the discovery of article. 1. Maintaining Physical Integrity o
Evidence
Removal of Evidence
a. Photographing -In the
1.The investigator places his
discovery of the evidence at
initials, the date and time of
the crime scene, it should be
discovery on each item of
photographed before being
evidence for proper identification
touched.
 2.Maintaining Legal Integrity
of Evidence
b. Packaging
-Physical evidence should be a. Identification of evidence
properly packaged to prevent loss, The officer who discovered
tampering, breakage, or the evidence must identify
deterioration using clean, sealed the items as the same found
containers like bottles, envelopes, at the scene to ensure their
bags, and envelopes. admission in court.
b. Marking of evidence
c. Tagging of evidence
The investigator generally
writes or scratch the -The objects that are not
following on each evidence suitable for marking
collected: might be tagged. A paper
tag firmly affixed to the
1. Name or initial of the item of evidence can
individual collecting the serve as a basis for alter
evidence; identification.
2. Dates of item was d. Sealing of evidence
collected and transferred; -Placing articles of
3. Case number, and type of evidence in a paper or
crime; plastic container and
4. Victim's or suspect's sealing it with a tape
name; and ensures the object is not
5. Brief description of the improperly handled.
item.
 Sketching the Scene

Evaluation of 1. Sketches - The sketch is

Evidence - Each item the simplest and the most
effective way of showing
of evidence must be actual measurements, and
evaluated individually in identifying significant
and collectively relative items of evidence in their
to all the pieces of location at the crime scene.
evidence.
Kinds of Sketch:
Chain of Custody of
Evidence- The process 1. Rough Sketch -Made
used to maintain and by the Investigator at the
document the chronological crime scene
history of the evidence.
 2. Finished Sketch - Made
d) Scale or proportion-
preliminary for court-room
The scale of the drawing
presentation (Scale and depends on the area, amount
Proportion observed). of detail, and the size of the
drawing paper available.
Elements of Sketching:

a) Measurements- This must be e) Legend- The explanation of

accurate. the symbols used to identify
the objects found in the crime
b) Compass direction- An arrow should scene
indicate the "north" orientation to
facilitate correct orientation. f) Title-This includes case
identification, victims'
c) Essential items- The sketches identification, scene portrayed,
important items of investigation. location, date and hour made,
include and the name of the sketcher.
 3. Sketch of Details -The
Specific Kinds of sketch of details which
Sketches illustrates the immediate
1. Sketch of Locality -This scene only. For instance,
gives a picture of the scene, the room in which the
the crime, and its crime was committed and
environments, including the details thereof
neighboring buildings, roads
leading to the location, or transmittal of Evidence to
house. Crime Laboratory
2. Sketch of Grounds -The
Proper handling of physical
sketch of grounds and pictures
evidence is needed to
the crime scene with its
obtain the extensive
nearest physical surroundings
possible information where
scientific examination shall
be based,
 , and to prevent it being Even with the best equipment
excluded as evidence in court. available, good results cannot
be obtained from insufficient
Principles to be Observed in specimens.
Handling All Types of Evidence
3. Submit a known or
1. The evidence should reach the standard specimen for
laboratory, as much as possible, in comparison purposes.
the same condition as when it is
found 4. Keep and separate each
specifmen to avoid
2. The quantity of specimen intermingling or mixing of
should be adequate. known and unknown
materials.
 SCENE OF CRIME
5. Mark and label each piece OPERATION (SOCO)
of evidence for easy
identification as the evidence
Composition of Soco Team
taken from a particular
location relative to the crime The SOCO team is composed
being investigated. of, but not limited to, the
following persons depending
on the nature of the case:
6. The chain of custody of
evidence must be maintained 1. Team leader;
and secured.
2. Assistant team leader;
;
 Personnel Functions and
3. Photographer and Responsibility
photographic log recorder;

4. Evidence and evidence 1. Team leader

recorder;

5. Evidence recorder; a. Assume control of the

crime scene. Ensure the
6. Evidence recovery personnel; safety of personnel, the
and victim, and offenders
caught in the scene. Secure
7. Driver or security (Cailing, the crime scene from
n.d.). kibitzers.
b. Conduct an initial survey of d. Designate command post
the crime scene to evaluate location in or near the crime
for potential evidence and scene and ensure there is
narrative description of the exchange of information
place. between searcher and
investigator.

c. Determine the search

e. Coordinate with other law
patterns to be used and
enforcement agencies for the
designate assignments to
security of the victims,
evidence gatherer.
offenders, suspects, and the
crime scene.
 h. Continuously
f. Ensure that sufficient
reevaluate the efficiency
supplies and equipment
of the search to ensure
available for personnel
that all places are
involved in SOCO.
properly searched.

g. Control access to the i. Release the crime scene

scene and designate to the investigators
personnel to log persons handling the case.
entering the place and
remove Kibitzers in the 2. Assistant team leader
area.
a. Shall assist the team leader in
all his functions and
responsibilities.
 b. Photograph victims,
b. Assume or takeover the
suspects or offenders
responsibilities of the team
arrested at the scene.
leader in his absence.
c. Photograph all
3. Photographer and
evidence prior its
photographic log recorder
collection.
a. Photograph the entire area
d. Photograph all latent
of the scene with overall
fingerprints and
medium and close-up
impressions before lifting
coverage using appropriate
or casting is done.
scale.
Likewise, photograph
blueprint maps and other
items.
e. Prepare photograph log
b. Conduct packaging,
and photographic sketch.
preservation, and
transportation of gathered
4. Sketcher
evidence crime laboratory. to
the
a. Performs all sketches
necessary during the crime
c. Coordinate evidence
scene processing.
nomenclature with the
sketcher, photographer, and
5. Evidence
evidence gatherer.
recorder/custodian
d. Receive and record all the
a. Prepare evidence recovery
recovered evidence.
log and accomplish chain of
custody of evidence.
 6. Evidence recovery personnel

e. Maintain custody and a. Have the significant

control of evidence. f. evidence photographed
Observe the proper before it is collected.
custody of evidence.
b. Keep team leader always
g. Coordinate transmittal apprised of significant
of evidence to case evidence located.
investigators or to crime
laboratory according to the c. Initial and date all
agency guidelines. evidence before its turn it
over to the evidence
recorder/ custodian. Note
where each item was
located.
 Crime Scene
Reconstruction
d. Coordinate evidence
- This refers to
nomenclature with
the determination of the
evidence recorder or
actions surrounding the
custodian and have the
commission ofthe
This refers to a crime.
use of
sketch prepared.
e. Ensure that appropriate scientific methods,
safety measures are physical evidence,
adhered to with respect to deductive reasoning, and
proper clothing including analysis of their
gloves interrelationships to gain
explicit knowledge of the
series of events that
surround the commission
of a crime.
 Types of Reconstruction
Criminal Profiling -
The use of 1. Physical
psychological theory Reconstruction- The
in analyzing and physical appearance of
reconstructing the the crime scene is
forensic evidence reconstructed based on
relative to the the description of the
offender's crime
witnesses and the
scenes and victims
physical evidence.
behavior.
2. Mental Steps in
Reconstruction - Reconstruction
From the physical
reconstruction, 1. Recognition of
some conclusions evidence is arguably
can be reached the most important.
regarding the "Unless the potential
consistency of the evidence can be
accounts of recognized, no further
various witnesses. reconstruction can be
carried out."
 4. Hypothesize to formulate
2. Documentation and
an theory on "how" the event
collection of evidence are
occurred. This is not merely
the heart of any successful
guessed and should be firmly
scene investigation and lay
supported by the evidence.
the groundwork for the
reconstruction.
5. Testing to see how the
hypothesis developed can be
validated.
3. Evaluation of evidence 6. Reconstruction to
is the examination of reporting the results of the
evidence, following laboratory analysis. The results are
analysis and looks at what reported as a range, where
information the evidence the event or potion of it.
provides, and its reliability.