CDI 3: SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION descendants, or his spouse, shall be guilty of parricide and shall be punished

by the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death.

Special Crime Investigation deals with the study of major crimes Elements of Parricide:
based on the application of special investigative technique.
1. A person is killed;
The study concentrates more on physical evidence, its collection,
2. Accused killed the deceased;
handling, identification and preservation in coordination with the crime
laboratory. Special Crime Investigation involves a close relationship between 3. The deceased is the legitimate or illegitimate father, mother or child, or
the prober in the field and the crime laboratory technician. They work other legitimate ascendant or other legitimate descendant (in a direct line) or
together as a team, reacting to and extending one another’s theories and legitimate spouse of the accused.
findings both working patiently and thoroughly to solve a crime from their
investigative discoveries. Art. 247. Death or physical Injuries inflicted under exceptional
circumstances. Any legally married person who, having surprised his spouse
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION in the act of committing sexual intercourse with another person, shall kill any
of them or both of them in the act or immediately thereafter, shall inflict upon
Homicide Investigation is the official inquiry made by the police
them any serious physical injury shall suffer the penalty of destierro.
on the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of a person which is
expected to be unlawful. If he shall inflict upon them physical injuries of any other kind he
shall be exempted from punishment.
Primary Job of the Investigator
These rules shall be applicable, under the same circumstance, to
1. To discover whether an offense has been committed under the law.
parents, with respect to their daughters under 18 years of age, and their
2. To discover how it was committed seducer, while the daughters are living with their parents.

3. Who committed it and by whom it was committed Any person who shall promote or facilitate the prostitution of his wife
or daughter, or shall otherwise have consented to the infidelity of the other
4. When it was committed spouse shall not be entitled to the benefits of this article.

And under certain circumstances why it was committed The one who killed the spouse must be legally married to the latter
so that article 247 may apply.
Responsibilities of a Homicide Investigator
In People vs. Abarca, the husband killed the paramour of his wife only
1. When called upon to investigate violent death, he stands after an hour had lapsed from surprising the two having sex. Article 247 was
on the dead man’s shoes to produce his instincts against applied.
those suspects.
Article 247 is also known as extraordinary mitigating
2. The enthusiasm and intelligence the investigator brings circumstance. It however does not exempt the culprit from civil liability
in the case marks the difference between a murderer
being convicted and set free. Destierro here is inflicted not really as a penalty but more on for
the protection of the accused.
3. If he interprets a criminal death accidental or natural, a
guilty person is set free. Destierro prohibits a person from entering a designated place
normally within a radius of not more than 250 and not less than 25 kilometers
4. Remember that the police is the first line of defense in therein.
the effective application of criminal justice.
Art. 248. Murder (assasinato) - Any person, who, not falling
Basic Guide for the Investigator to look upon is to establish the following: within the provisions of Article 246, shall kill another, shall be guilty of
murder and shall be punished by reclusion perpetua to death if committed
1. Corpus delicti or facts that crime was committed
with any of the following attendant circumstances.
2. Method of operation of the suspect
Qualifying Circumstances to Murder
3. Identity of the guilty party
1. With treachery
THE THREE BRIDGES IN HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION WHICH 2. Taking advantage of superior strength
SHALL NOT BE CROSSED 3. With the aid of armed men
4. Employing means to weaken defense
A. The first bridge is that the dead body has been moved. 5. Employing means or persons to insure or afford
impunity
B. The second bridge is when the cadaver has been embalmed. 6. In consideration of price reward or promise
7. By means of inundation
C. The third bridge is when the dead person is buried or cremated. 8. By means of fire
9. By means of poison
Bridge 1- the first bridge is burned when the dead body is moved. Before it is 10. By means of explosion
done, it is imperative that photographs be taken, measurement made, 11. By means of shipwreck
fingerprints searched for and a host of other tasks carried out, because, when 12. By means of stranding of a vessel
the body is once moved, it can never be put back again and the investigation 13. By means of derailment or assault upon a railroad
repeated exactly. 14. By means of fall of an airship
15. By means of motor vehicle
Bridge 2- the next bridge is burned when the body is embalmed. Embalming 16. By the use of other means involving great waste and ruin
effectively destroy traces of alcohol and several other poisons. It also makes 17. On the occasion of any of the calamities enumerated in letters g-p.
the determination of other substances much more difficult. Consequently if 18. On the occasion of an earthquake
there is slightest reason to suspect poisoning, the organ should be removed 19. On the occasion of eruption of volcano
20. On the occasion of destructive cyclone
before embalming.
21. On the occasion of epidemic
Bridge 3- the investigating officer has burned his last bridge when the body 22. On the occasion of any other public calamity
23. With evident premeditation
has been buried or cremated. It is difficult and expensive to disinter a body.
24. With cruelty (by deliberately and inhumanly augmenting the suffering of
The lapse of time increases the difficulties of a scientific examination and
the victim)
diminishes the likelihood of successful conclusion as to the cause of 25. By outraging or scoffing at the person or corpse of a person.
instrument of death. Cremation, of course, destroy any possibility of further Elements of murder:
scientific work on the body.
1. A person was killed;
TITLE 8- CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
2. The accused killed the deceased;
Art. 246. Parricide. – Any person who shall kill his father, mother
or child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, or any of his ascendants, or

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 1

3. The killing was attended by any of the qualifying circumstance mentioned Art. 256. Intentional abortion. is committed by any person who shall
in article 248; intentionally cause an abortion by:

4. The killing is not parricide, infanticide or homicide. 1. using violence upon the person of the pregnant woman; or

* Treachery must be alleged in the information so that it will qualify the 2. acting without the consent of the woman but without using violence;
killing to murder.
3. acting with the consent of the woman
* If treachery is not alleged in the information which charges murder, but in
the trial treachery was proven, the accused cannot be convicted of murder. Elements of intentional abortion:
Homicide only would be the crime
1. Violence is exerted, or any drugs or beverages be administered or the
* The act of Euthanasia or mercy Killing is considered as murder. It is the accused acts upon a pregnant woman;
practice of putting to death a person who is suffering from some incurable
2. As a result thereof, the fetus dies, in the womb or after having been
disease. It may also be defined as the acceleration of the death of a person expelled therefrom;
who suffers from some incurable disease.
3. The act is intended.
Art. 249. Homicide- is a crime committed by any person who shall kill
another without the attendance of any of the circumstances mentioned in *Abortion has been defined as the willful killing of the fetus or violent
article 248. expulsion of the same from the maternal womb.

Homicide, defined- the unlawful killing of another but which is not Art. 257. Unintentional abortion- committed by any person who shall cause
parricide, murder or infanticide. an abortion by violence, but unintentionally

Elements of homicide: Elements of unintentional abortion

1. There is a pregnant woman;

1. A person was killed;
2. Violence is used against the woman but without intending an abortion
2. The accused killed the deceased;
3. The violence is intentionally exerted
3. The accused had the intent to kill;
Fetus died
4. The killing was not attended by any of the qualifying circumstance
* If there is no violence used; No intent to cause an abortion- there is no
mentioned in article 248.
abortion of any kind.
5. The killing is not infanticide or parricide. Art. 258. Abortion practiced by woman herself or by her parents- this is
committed by a woman who shall practice an abortion upon herself or shall
Accidental homicide, defined- This is a homicide that results when the death consent that any other person should do so.
of a person is brought about by a lawful act performed with proper care and
skill and absence of criminal intent. Art. 259. Abortion practiced by a physician or midwife and dispensing of
abortives. - is committed by a doctor or physician who shall cause an
 Article 251. Death caused in a tumultuous affray.- (See the article) abortion or assist in causing the same. Also a pharmacist who without proper
prescription from a physician shall dispense any abortive.
*Here at least four (4) persons must take part in the affray.
Duel, defined- is a combat agreed between two parties in the presence of
*There would be no tumultuous affray if the quarrel is between
seconds who makes the selection of arms.
two well known groups.
Art. 260. Responsibility of participants in a duel.
Q: What is a tumultuous affray?
Art. 261. Challenging to a duel- committed by any person who shall
A: It is one which takes place when a quarrel occurs among several persons
challenge another, or incite another to give or accept a challenge to a duel, or
not composing of organized groups, and these persons assaulted each other in
shall scoff at or decry another publicly for refusing to accept a challenge to
a confused and tumultuous manner. It takes place when a quarrel occurs
fight a duel.
between several persons who engaged in a confused and tumultuous manner,
in the course of which a person is killed or wounded and the author thereof Art. 262. Mutilation - committed by any person who shall intentionally
cannot be ascertained. mutilate another by depriving him, either totally or partially, of some
essential organ of reproduction. Any other intentional mutilation is also
Article 252. Physical injuries in a tumultuous affray
punished (known as mayhem)
Article 253. Giving assistance to suicide- is committed by any person who
Art. 263. Serious Physical Injuries- committed by any person who shall
shall assist another to commit suicide, or lending his assistance to another to
wound, beat or assault another causing the offended party to become:
the extent of doing the killing himself.
1. insane, imbecile, impotent or blind;
*One who commits or attempts to commit suicide is not liable under the law.
Nullum crimen nulla poena sine lege. 2. the person injured has lost the use of speech, or the power to hear or smell,
or losses an eye, a hand, a foot, an arm, or a leg or shall have lost the use of
Art. 254. (Illegal) Discharge of firearm (Pagpapaputok g sandata) - is
such member, or shall have become incapacitated for work which he was
committed by any person who shall shoot at another with any firearm.
habitually engaged;
Elements of Discharge of Firearm:
3. deformed, lost any part of his body, or use thereof, or ill or incapacitated
1. A person discharges a firearm against another person for work he was habitually engaged for 90 days;

2. The offender has no intent to kill that person 4. ill or incapacitated for labor for more than 30 days.

Art. 255. Infanticide- is the killing of a child less than three (3) days old. Q: Distinguish mutilation from physical injury.

Elements of infanticide: A: The mutilation must have been made deliberately to clip off some part of
the body to deprive the other person of such part of the body. This special
1. A child less than 3 days old (72 hours old or less) is killed; intention is not present in physical injuries.

2. The accused killed said child. Art. 264. Administering injurious substances or beverages (Pagpapainom
ng mga nakapipinsalang mga sustansiya o inumin)- committed by any person
Q: A father sired a child out of his kerida. This child who was less than three who without intent to kill, shall inflict upon another any serious physical
days old was killed by his own father. The purpose of the father in killing the injury, by knowingly administering to him any injurious substances or
child was to conceal its existence from his legitimate wife. What crime was beverages or by taking advantage of his weakness of mind or credulity.
committed by the father?

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 2

Elements of administering injurious substances/beverages -Establishing the identity of the victim is important, it will provide tracing
clues to the motive and identity of the perpetrator, with the identity
1. Offender inflicted any serious physical injuries known, the investigator can focus attention on the victim’s background
and establish a possible motive through such information.
2. By knowingly administering any injurious substances or beverages
-Victims encountered in indoor scenes will normally have identifying data on
3. Accused had no intent to kill.
the body, or such data will be available throughout the crime scene. In
Art. 265. Less serious physical injuries- committed by any person who shall outdoor scenes, such evidence is normally not as readily available,
inflict injuries upon another which shall incapacitate the offended party for since the victim is removed from the personal environment and also outdoor
labor for 10 days or more, or shall require medical attendance for the same scene may not be discovered for long period of time; thus evidence may
period.  be destroyed by elements of nature or will be lost.

Art. 266. Slight Physical Injuries- committed by any person who shall -If there are no identifying papers on the victim’s person, fingerprint should
inflict physical injury upon another which shall incapacitate another for labor be used as means of identification.
from 1-9 days or shall require medical attendance for the same period or any
-If fingerprint identification is unsuccessful, the investigator must rely on
injury which does not prevent the offended party from engaging in his
other methods to establish identity.
habitual work nor require medical attendance, or shall ill treat another by
deed without causing any injury (maltreatment). -Dental structures are highly resistant to destruction, and are frequently useful
when the other portions of the body are totally decomposed. (Forensic
RAPE RA 8353
Odontology).
Rape is committed:
-The skeletal remains of the victim may also help to determine identity, as
1. by a man who shall have carnal knowledge of a woman under any of the well as yield other types of information.
following circumstances:
-If bone fractures are noted, they may be used to identify the deceased,
a. through force or intimidation; but if only corresponding medical records can be located

b. woman is deprived of reason or unconscious; -The widths of the pelvic bones are excellent indicators of the victim’s sex;
Determination of the victims age maybe more difficult, in that the victims
c. fraudulent machination or grave abuse of authority; past the age of eighteen years have generally achieved their maximum
skeletal growth. However, general age determination can be established via
d. offended party is under 12 or is demented dental structure.
2. By any person who, under any of the circumstances mentioned in par. 1 Determination of time of death.
shall commit an act of sexual assault by inserting his penis into another
person’s mouth or anal orifice, or any instrument or object, into the genital or -A determination of the time of death should be attempted in all homicide
anal orifice of another person. investigations. This fact is significant because of its investigative
importance in corroborating or disputing alibis, or in establishing the victim’s
Q: What consummates the crime of rape? movements prior to death.
A: The slightest penetration of the labia consummates the crime of rape. The -Determining death is not an exact science.
absence of sperm is not important. It is enough that the labia of the female
organ was penetrated. MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF DEATH

Q: What is statutory rape? Life – is the sum total of all vital processes by which the physical integrity of
the body is maintained.
A: The rape of a woman under 12 years of age.
Death- is the state of complete persistent cessation of the vital function of the
Q: What is the “rape shield” concept in the crime of rape? body such as the function of the heart, the lings and the brain.
A: It means, in a prosecution for rape, evidence of complainants past sexual Importance of Death Determination
conduct, opinions, and his or her reputation shall not be admitted, unless the
court finds it material. 1. The civil personality of a natural person is extinguished by death. The civil
personality is extinguished by death. The effect of death upon the rights and
Effect of pardon -the subsequent valid marriage between the parties shall obligations of the deceased is determined by law, by contract and by will.
extinguish the criminal action or the penalty imposed. The forgiveness by the
wife shall extinguish the criminal action or the penalty. But the pardon will 2. The property of a person is transmitted to his heirs at the time of death.
not benefit the accomplices and the accessories. But in crimes against chastity
pardon benefits even the accomplices and the accessories. 3. The death of a partner is one of the causes of dissolution of partnership
agreement.
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES
4. The death of either the principal or agent is a mode of extinguishments of
- Criminal Investigation of homicide is a discovery process. The agency
investigator seeks to discover and documents such facts as type of death,
identity of the deceased, cause of death and motivation and identity of the 5. The criminal liability of a person is extinguished by death.
perpetrator. In order to resolve these fundamental questions, the
6. The civil case for claims which does not survive is dismissed upon death of
investigation will focus on the cadaver, crime scene and post mortem
the defendant.
examination.
Kinds of Death
- The cadaver is often of prime importance as an investigative
factor. The victim’s body can reveal much through examination of wounds 1. Clinical Death or Somatic Death
and other types of tracing clues that may be present.
Is a type of death usually declare by members of the immediate family of the
Establishing Death. diseased or by the physician.
-The first essential step of the homicide investigation is to 2. Molecular or Cellular Death
establish that the victim is, indeed, dead.
Is the type of death characterized by death of individual cells ( one at a time
-Police officers do not have the legal authority to pronounce death, ) after the somatic death.
only physicians/ medical doctor can establish the fact of death.
The nerve cells and brain cells die earlier at about 5 minutes due to loss of
-For this reason, the police officer should never assume death food and oxygen while the muscles live longer until the onset of the rigor
unless the condition of the victim’s body demonstrates death in a totally mortis which about two to three hours after death.
obvious manner.
3. Apparent Death/ State of Suspended Animation
Identifying the Cadaver.

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 3

 A transient loss of consciousness or temporary cessation of the GUNSHOT WOUND
vital function of the body on account of disease, external stimulus other
forms of influence. 1. Pressed and Firm Contact Fire

Signs of Death a. Entrance wound is large, frequently star-shaped

1. Cessation of Respiration b. Entrance wound may be everted

Cessation of respiration in order to be considered as a sign of death c. There is burn, tattoing and smudging
must be continuous and persistent. A person can hold his breath for a period
d. Muzzle imprint
of not longer than 3 – ½ minutes. In case of electrical shock, respiration
may cease for sometime but maybe restored by continuous artificial e. Bullet may cause radiating fracture
respiration.
f. Blood and tissue become pink due to carbon monoxide
2. Cessation of Heart and Circulation
g. Fragments of lead may be found
As a general rule, if there is no heart action for a period of five
minutes death is regarded as certain. 2. Short Range Fire (1 to 15cm Distance)

3. Cooling of the body (ALGOR MORTIS) 1. Edges of wound is inverted

After death the metabolic process inside the body ceases. No more 2. If within the flame reach (6 inches in rifle and high powered gun and less
heat is produced but the body loses slowly its temperature by evaporation or than 3 inches from ordinary hnadgun), there is area of burning)
by conduction to the surrounding atmosphere. The progressive fall of the
body temperature is one of the most prominent signs of death. The body cools 3. Smudging due to smoke
following death at approximately 1.5 degrees F per hour, under normal
4. Powder tattooing is present but dense and limited dimension of spread)
conditions and assuming the body’s temperature at death is 98.6 degrees F
(37 degrees C). 5. Abrasion ring or collar is Present (Contact Ring)
4. Insensibility of the body and loss of power to move. 3. Medium Range (more than 15cm but less than 60cm
No kind of stimulus is capable to letting the body have voluntary 1. Entrance is inverted with abrasion
movement.
2. Burning effect is absent
5. Changes in the Eyes
3. Smudging may be present if less than 30cm
a. Loss of Corneal and light reflexes
4. Gunpowder tattooing is present but lesser density and wide spread
b. Haziness of the cornea
5. Contact ring is present
6. Changes in skin
4. Fired more than 60cm
 Change of color
1. Gunshot wound is circular or oval
 Loss of the elasticity of the skin
2. Wound of entrance has no burning, smudging or tattooing
 Opacity of the skin
3. Contact ring is present
 Absence of reaction to injury
Exit Wound
PHYSICAL INJURY
its edges are everted and portions of the inner tissues are
Injury – is the scientific impairment of the body structure or function caused protruding and its shape may be slit-like, stellate, irregular or even similar to
by outside force or agent. the wound of entrance.
Physical Injury – is an injury of the body caused by physical agents which is ODD AND EVEN RULE IN GUNSHOT WOUND
the application of stimulus to the body producing damage or injury to the
tissue. if the number of gunshots wounds of entrance and exit found in the
body of the victim is even, the presumption is that no bullet is lodged in the
Common External Injuries Sustained by the Victim from Homicidal body, but if the number of the gunshot wounds of entrance and exit is odd,
Attack the presumption is that one or more bullets might have been lodged in the
body.
Contusion – an injury in the substance of the skin, discoloration of the surface
due to extravasation of blood. This is due to the application of a blunt FACTORS THAT AFFECT ENTRANCE WOUND
instrument.
a. Distance of the discharge of firearm
Hematoma – this is the extravasation of blood in the newly formed cavity.
b. The nature or type of the firearm
Abrasion – an open wound characterized by the removal of the epithelial
layer of the skin brought about by the friction against hard, rough object. c. The nature and amount of the gunpowder

Incised wound – produced by forcible contact on the body by sharp edge d. The affected part of the body
instrument.
THE EVIDENCE OF SUICIDAL GUNSHOT WOUND
Stab wound – produced by the forcible application and penetration of a sharp
instrument. A. A near-contact fire, evidenced by burning or tattooing around the wound.

Punctured wound – penetration of a sharp pointed weapon B. Presence of one gunshot wound

Lacerated wound – tearing of the skin due to forcible contact of a blunt C. Body part involved is accessible to the dexterous hand.
instrument.
D. Presence of suicide note
BULLET WOUND - caused by bullets, which are discharge from a firearm.
E. Wounding firearm is tightly held (cadaveric spasm)
The two types of bullet wound are:
EVIDENCE OF ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING
a. Entrance wound
A. usually one shot
b. Exit wound
B. No special area of the body is involved

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 4

C. Testimonies of witnesses. the color is pink while lead color asphyxia. Although the color will become
darker and permanent as it completes.
EVIDENCE OF HOMOCIDAL GUNSHOT WOUND
The Color of Lividity may Indicate the Cause of Death:
A. Site of the entrance wound has no point of election
1. Carbon monoxide poisoning/ cyanide – cherry red to pinkish color
B. Discharge of firearm is made when victim is some distance away.
2. Asphyxia – dark lividity or lead
C. Sign of struggle may be present
3. Phosphorous poisoning – dark brown
D. Sings of disturbance in the surroundings maybe present.
Stages of Lividity or Livor Mortis
ESTIMATE OF TIME OF DEATH
1. Hypostatic Lividity
1. Primary Flaccidity ( period of the muscle irritability )
It is the lividity when the discoloration is due to the blood pooled
= muscles are relaxed and capable of contracting when stimulated in the most dependent areas of the body.
= pupil are dilated, incontinence of urination and defection. 2. Diffusion Lividity
= Lasts 3- 6 hours after death. It is a fixed or permanent discoloration when the blood clotted,
inside the blood vessels or has diffused to different parts of the body.
2. Post Mortem Rigidity (Rigor Mortis)
Diffusion lividity
 body becomes rigid due to contraction of the
muscles CHANGES IN STOMACH. It usually takes three to four hours for the
stomach to empty its contents after meals.
 3-6 hours after death and may last 24 to 36
hours

Conditions Simulating Rigor Mortis ONSET AND STAGE OF DECOMPOSITION. Decomposition is the
action of bacteria on the dead body. The onset of decomposition is 1 to 2
a. Heat Stiffening days after death and then finally the dead body becomes skeletal remains in
months considering the factors that influence the rate of putrefaction.
 body is exposed to temperature above 77
degree Celsius LIFE CYCLE OF FLIES. The eggs of ova laid by the flies on the dead
body will hatch to form maggots within 24 hours. The maggots will feed
 Pugilistic attitude
vigorously on the damaged dead body, then transform into pupal stage and
 More or less permanent finally into adult flies within a few days.

b. Cold Stiffening SEX CRIMES

 due to solidification of fat when the body is CONCEPTS ABOUT SEX CRIMES
exposed to freezing temperature.
A. It is triggered by emotions. A person who commits a sex crime has lost
c. Cadaveric Spasm or Instantaneous rigor = ridigity of the muscles control of his emotions. It is a not something you can set out and analyze. It
which occurs at the moment of death due to nervous tension, exhaustion hiya compulsion coming within offender.
and injury to the nervous system
B. Gratification of the sex urge is often done in strange and morbid methods.
Rigor Mortis It involves an addiction. Sex is a normal human need, hence, this must be
considered in the investigation of the sex crime.
3. Secondary Flaccidity or secondary relaxation
VIRGINITY - It is the condition of a woman where the hymen of her vagina
 due to the dissolution of the muscles protein is still intact or unruptured. It does not mean that when the hymen is intact,
there is no case of rape. The mere touching of the labia majora (major lips)
 onset of putrefaction of the pudendum (vagina) by the male organ is considered as
consummated rape because there is a slight penetration. Virginity is not an
 the body become limp again and the muscles
element in the crime of rape because even the prostitute who is veteran of
are no longer capable of responding to
many foreign warp could be a complainant.
mechanical or electrical stimulus.
Virginity is not only lost thru sexual intercourse but by bicycle
 Noted about 48 hours after death
riding or other strenuous physical exertion on the part of the woman, or the
CHANGES IN THE BLOOD insertion of an object while in the act of masturbation.

a. Coagulation of the blood EVIDENCE IN THE INVESTIGATION OF RAPE

The stasis of the blood due to the cessation of circulation enhances 1. Panty or other clothing of the victim
the coagulation of blood inside the blood vessel. Blood clothing is accelerated
2. Physical examination of the victim to determine signs of force such as
in cases of death by infectious fevers and delayed in cases of asphyxia,
injuries or the presence of seminal fluids inside her organ.
poisoning by opium, hydraocyanic acid or carbon monoxide poisoning.
3. Detached pubic hairs of the victim and suspect.
Blood may remain fluid inside the blood vessel after death for
6 to 8 hours 4. Physical examination of the suspect and the examination news clothing.
b. POST-MORTEM LIVIDITY 5. Relevant matters at the scene of the crime
It is the discoloration of the body after death when the 6. Testimonies of witnesses if there is any.
blood tens to pool in the blood vessels for the most dependent portion to the
pool in the blood vessels for the most dependent portion of the body. The 7. Written complaint of the victim.
blood remains fluid in the body after for 6-8 hours and gradually clot until it
is fully developed at about 12 hrs. The appearance of Post Mortem lividity NARCOTICS DEATH INVESTIGATION
usually stars about 20-30 minutes after death, thus, it can also be a means
1. THE THREE PHASES OF NARCOTICS DEATH INVESTIGATION
in approximating the time of death of the person. But is more useful in
determining the position of the body after death. The discoloration of the a. The scene of death investigation
bloody may varies in color. Usually it is dull-red or Reddish-purple with
some bluish-black due to rupture of small engorged capillaries. In carbon b. The medical examination
monoxide and cyanide poisoning as well as exposure to cold temperature,
c. The toxicological investigation

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 5

2. DEATH DUE TO NARCOTICS - A common occurrence in the use of B. Snatching or handbangs or jewelries are considered under this category. If
prohibited drugs is the death of the user. The investigation should determine the victim puts resistance and violence is applied by the robber on his person;
the manner of death which is either homicide, suicide or accidental. A
thorough investigation at the scene helps the medical examiner in C. The violence or intimidation is directed against the person who is the
determining the cause of death. owner of the personal property or his caretakers or guards.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS OF USE OF DRUGS D. Poking a gun or other deadly weapon on the victim to divest his personal
property are some forms of intimidation; if the injuries of the victim are of
A. Poison - symptoms, signs, causes of death. slight in character, it is absorbed as a form of violence. But if the injuries are
of less serious or serious in character, it is a complex crime of Roberry with
B. Codeine - nausea or vomiting, dizziness, constipation (500mg) and Physical Injuries.
respiratory failure.
E. If death results due to robbery with violence or intimidation of persons, a
C. Heroine and Morphine - sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, constriction, complex crime of Robbery with Homicide is commited, irrespective whether
itching thirst, cyanosis. tge death occurs among the robbers. Heart attack or stroke as a consequence
of the robbery is still Robbery with Homicide;
D. Barbiturates - lower body temperature, cyanosis, skin rashes,
constipation, and cold extremities (1.6 g) F. If on the occasion of the robbery, rape is committed the crime is Robbery
with Rape.
E. Cocaine - nausea, vomiting, chills, sweating, thrist, convulsion, (500 mg)
circulatory and respiratory failures. G. If on the occasion of the robbery, homicide and rape were committed, the
proper complex crime is Robbery with Homocide. The rape is considered
F. Amphetamine - diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, cramps, chills,
aggravating circumtances.
sweating, thrist, convulsion, petechial hemorrhage.
THEFT - Personal properties are taken without the consent of knowledge of
BODY SIGNS
the owner.
A. Cyanosis - bluish discoloration of the face or finger nails due to
A. Pickpockets, simple snatching and other forms are included in this
insufficient oxygen on the blood caused bi increased carbon dioxide in the
classification.
body.
B. Theft inside a house or a building where entry is thru an open closed door
B. Petechial Hemorrhage - pin point spots of discoloration as a result of the
but unlocked, this is theft;
capillary reptures due to pressure and generally observed in the eyes, eyelids,
behind the ears and internally. C. Breaking the glass panes of a show window and extending an arm to get
the valuables inside is theft as the force upon things is not used as means of
C. Formation of froth - observed in mouth and nose, maybe white or
entry. If the one who breaks the glass pane bodily entered the show window,
pinkish and caused by fluids entering the air passage.
it would be robbery with force upon things.
D. Hematoma - a localized swelling on any part of the body caused by
D. Ordering someone to deposit or withdraw money from the bank by giving
bleeding beneath the surface o the skin. This is caused by skin "popping"
the bank book and signed deposit or withdraw slips and that someone
rather than by vein injections.
absconded the money, it is theft.
E. Needle Marks and Tracks - visual evidence of intravenous injections.
E. Entrusting a piece of jewelry to be sold on commission basis and the agent
The tracks will follow the vein and results in a dark discolaration and
failed to remit the price or return the property unsold, the case is not Theft but
eventual collapse of the vein.
Estafa.
F. Scar - skin marks caused by the victim in removing needle marks, scrabs,
F. In theft, there is only material transfer to the property but in Estafa,
which adds to the unsanitary conditions of the victim.
there is a juridical transfer of the property. Juridical transfer implies that
G. Rashes/Scratch Skin - external body signs due to the use of morphine or the receiver of the property has the authority to dispose the same. In Theft
heroine poisoning. there is no such authority.

THEFT AND ROBBERY INVESTIGATION G. In the investigation of theft and robbery cases, there is the importance of
the value of the property subject of the offense, because the imposable
TWO TYPES OF ROBBERY penalty is based on the value.

A. Force upon things as means of entry to the house or building; and Physical Evidence to be collected Robbery:

B. Intimidation or violence upon persons. 1. Footprints

FORCE UPON THINGS 2. Fingerprints

A. As means of entry, a locked door is broken or forced open. A closed nut - Areas of break
unlocked door is not a locked door. - Closets- prints may be found in door and
- Door knobs
B. Thru an opening which might be not locked but which is not intended or - Dressers
designed for entry. If a robber enters a building thru the open or locked - Pieces of furniture
window where he takes personal properties inside, it is robbery; - Bottles and glasses
- Walls
C. If the door is open or closed but not locked, and once inside breaks open - Tools
locked drawers, aparadors, wardrobes, safes where personal properties are - Desks
taken, it is robbery. 3. Clothings- sometimes the robbers exchange their own jackets with that one
found.
D. If the door is open and used as entry and while inside, the robbery brings
out receptables such as aparadors, drawers, wardrobes, safes and other forms 4. If a window was broken in effecting entry, glass particles maybe presents
of receptacles and while outside breaks open these receptacles where personal in the trouser cuffs and pockets of suspect. Samples of broken glass should
properties are taken it is robbery. be collected for possible future comparison in the event that a suspect is
picked up.
E. The use of picklocks to open locked doors or locked receptacles inside and
personal properties are taken, it is robbery. Genuine keys stolen from the 5. Paint- if a crowbar has been used to force the window, paint may adhere to
owner are considered picklocks. the tool. Paint samples should be taken for future comparison.

F. The mere possession of picklocks is punishable under the Revised Penal 6. Tool marks
Code.
7. Tools
VIOLENCE OR INTIMIDATION UPON A PERSON
8. Observed odd behavior patterns in the crime scene
A. Hold-ups are included in this category.
9. Cords and ropes used

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 6

10. Firearms used G. Haphazardly painted
H. Plates do not correspond to the year or model of the vehicle
11. Means of escape ARSON INVESTIGATION

Anti-Piracy and anti-highway robbery law of 1974 (P.D. 532)

Piracy - any attack upon or seizure of any vessel, or taking away of the ELEMENTS OF ARSON
whole or part thereof or its cargo, equipment or the personal belonging
of its complements or passengers, irrespective of value thereof, by means of A. Actual burning took place
violence against or intimidation of persons or force upon things, committed B. done with malicious intent
by any persons, including a passengers or member of the compliments of said C. the burning is done by a person who is criminally and civility liable.
vessels in Philippine waters. SPECIAL AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE IN ARSON (Sec. 4, PD
1613)
Highway Robbery/ Brigandage
A. Committed with intent to gain
- The seizure of any person for ransom, extortion or other unlawful
purposes, or the taking away of the property of another by means of violence B. Committed for benefits of others
against or intimidation of persons or force upon things of other unlawful C. Offenders is motivated by spite, revenge or hatred towards the owner or
means committed by any person or any Philippine highway. occupant of the house;
Anti-fencing law of 1979 (P.D. 1612) D. Committed by a syndicate. A syndicate consists of three or more persons
Fencing- is the act of any person, who, with intent to gain, for himself or who planned and carried out crime
for another shall buy, possess, keep, acquire, concealed, sell or in HOW TO LOCATE THE ORIGIN OF FIRE
any other way, deal on any articles, items, objects, or
any thing of value which he knows to have been derived from the A. By witness – the first who discovered the fire
proceeds of crime or robbery or theft.
B. Low Point of Burning – the lowest point of burning should be given the
Fence- include any person, firm, organization, association or outmost consideration in locating the origin of the fire. Fire will normally
corporation or partnership and other organization who/ which commits the burn upward. The hot gasses and carbon particles will continue to rise for any
act of fencing. period of time before the fire spreads downward.
Anti-Cattlle Rustling Law of 1974 (P.D. 533) C. Charring – the char will generally be deepest from where the fire
originated. When the fire is extinguished quickly, the charring is only slightly
Cattle Rustling- Is the taking away by any means, methods or below the surface.
scheme, without the consent of the owner/raiser, or any of the above animals
(cow, carabao, horse, mule or other domesticated member of the bovine COLOR OF SMOKE
family) whether or not for profit or gain, or whether committed with or
without violence against or intimidation of any person or force upon things. A. Steam and smoke – presence of humid substances in contract with
It includes the killing of large cattle, or taking its meat or hide without the combustible materials.
consent of owner/raiser.
B. White Smoke – indicates the presence of phosphorous.
CARNAPPING INVESTIGATION
C. Grayish smoke – caused by ashes and soot’s of loosely packed materials
THE ANTI CARNAPPING LAW - RA 6539 such as straw or hay.

A. CARNAPPING defined - it is the law unlawful taking, with intent to D. Black Smoke – coming from a material with petroleum base such as
gain, a motor vehicle belonging to another without the letter's consent or by rubber, tar, coals, turpentine or petrol gum
means of violence against or intimidation of person or using force upon
things. E. Reddish Brown or Yellow Smoke – presence of nitrates or substances
compounded with nitrates acid, plastics, films, or cellphones.
ELEMENTS OF CARNAPPING
NOTES ON CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
(1) Unlawful taking =
(2) Intent to gain THE COMPOSITION OF THE CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
(3) Motor vehicle belonging to another TEAM
(4) Lack of owners consent 1. Team Leader
(5) By violence or intimidation against persons or force upon things. 2. Evidence Collector
DEFINITION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE (Sec. 2, RA 6539) 3. Crime Photographer
4. Health or Medical Officer
Motor vehicle is any vehicle propelled by means other than muscular power, 5. Sketcher and Measurer
using the public highways, but excepting road rollers, trolley cars, street 6. Evidence Custodian
sweepers, sprinklers, lawn mowers, bulldozers, graders, foklifts, amphibian 7. Security Officers
trucks and cranes, if not used on public highways, also vehicle which run
only on rails on tracks, tractors, trailers and traction engines of all kinds used 1. Team Leader
exclusively for agricultural purposes. Trailers having any numbers of wheels,  Takes control of the scene right after being briefed by the first
responder;
when propelled of intended to be propelled by attachments to any motor
 Immediately chooses a command post location outside the crime
vehicle with no power rating. scene but adjacent to it that will serve as the CSI primary office;
 Conducts a preliminary survey of the scene;
MACRO ETCHING - It is the chemical process of determining the
 Conducts final survey of the scene ;
aunthenticity of the engine and chassis numbers of a motor vehicle which is a
 Releases the crime scene to the investigator-on-case after the
requirement before a clearance is used for registration of newly transferred completion of the final survey;
vehicle from dealers, owners or buyers.  Prepare the CSI report of personally supervise the preparation of
report.
MICRO ETCHING - It is the chemical process of restoring erased or
tampered engine and chassis numbers. The process is by continuous Preliminary Survey – it is an assessment of the crime scene conducted by
application of strong acid on the suspected tampered or erased numbers. carefully walking through the scene to evaluate the situation. It identifies any
threat to the integrity of the crime scene and ensures protection of physical
HOW TO DETECT STOLEN VEHICLES evidence. This will also provide first opportunity to recognize and identify
valuable and/or perishable evidence.
A. No license plate number
B. Sporting improvised plates Final Survey – it is the critical review of the scene to ensure that all pieces of
C. Spotting plates which are for specific vehicles like yellow plate attached to
evidence have been collected and the scene has been thoroughly processed
the private prior to release.
D. Abandoned vehicles
Command Post – a temporary office where the evidence custodian stays and
E. Fake license plates or stickers receives pieces of evidence from the evidence collectors. This is also a place
F. No sticker for the current year
where the investigators entertain politicians, law enforcement officers who

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 7

are not involved in the processing of the scene, members of the media and 4. Package each item separately to avoid cross contamination. Seal
relatives of the victim. and label the paper bag.

2. Evidence Collector DRIED BLOODSTAIN

 Collect physical evidence at the scene once thorough search is
conducted, the location of the evidence marked, photographs of the Collection
scene and individual; evidence taken, and the rough sketch with
measurement completed; 1. Small solid objects with bloodstain should be collected and place
 Mark the evidence container with his initial, date and time of in a paper bag or carton box, sealed and labeled.
collection, place of collection and brief description of the evidence 2. Large solid objects with bloodstain that cannot be placed in a paper
gathered before turning over to the evidence custodian with proper bag or carton box but can be brought to laboratory should be
documentation for safekeeping. processed by covering the stained area with a clean sheet of paper
and the edges are secured with a plastic tape to prevent loss or
3. Crime Photographer contamination during transportation.
 Takes neighborhood photographs of the scene which include: 3. If the solid object is too bulky to be brought to laboratory, the
 Landmark pointing to the exact location of the crime bloodstain can be collected by means of scrapping using a clean
scene; scalpel or a sharp instrument into a clean piece of paper which can
 Structures that are adjacent and across the crime scene; be folded into paper pocket and placed in an envelope. Seal and
 Spectators or kibitzers in and around the crime scene; mark the paper container and bring to laboratory.
 Vehicles particularly those which are leaving the crime
scene; Scrape an unstained area adjacent to the blood stained area into
 Photograph all the marked physical evidence before they are another clean piece of paper that can be folded and placed in an
touched or collected; envelope. Seal and mark the paper contained and submit this to
 Prepare a photographic log. laboratory together with the questioned blood sample.

4. Medical or Health Officer 4. Clothing with bloodstain should be wrapped in clean sheet of paper
 Determine the condition of the victim at the crime scene; and placed in a paper bag or cartoon box. Mark and seal the
 While the team leader is coordinating with the first responder, the container.
medical officer cautiously enters the crime scene and determine 5. Never use a moistened cloth or paper in collecting dried blood
whether the victim is still alive; stain from solid object.
 If the victim is already dead, he gets out of the crime scene and 6. Do not scrape dried bloodstain directly into evidence envelope to
proceed to the command post where he will wait for the instruction prevent loss of evidence.
of the team leader.
Preservation
5. Sketcher and Measurer
 Prepares the sketch after the crime scene has been searched, items 1. Do not mix dried bloodstain with each other. Place the collected
of evidence located and marked, and photographs taken; stain from different locations in separate paper pockets.
 Establishes compass orientation 2. Wash and dry the scalpel every time it is used to scrape another
 Draws and records the exact location of evidence based on bloodstain to prevent contamination.
measurements;
 Places legends and other relevant information on the sketch; DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA) EVIDENCE
 Measures the pieces of evidence from two fixed points.
The following biological sample with their recommended
6. Evidence Custodian quantities should be collected for DNA analysis:
 Stays at the command post, receives the evidence turned over to
him and records the same on the Evidence Log; 1. Wet Blood 1 – 2 ml
 Takes custody of submitted pieces of evidence. 2. Bloodstain 1 gram
3. Saliva / Buccal Scrapping 4 cotton buds
7. Security Officers 4. Semen / Seminal Stain 3 Swabs
 Secure the crime scene by cordoning it with the police line or rope 5. Urine 100 ml
if it was not cordoned by the first responder or investigator-on- 6. Hair with Follicles or Root Bulb 2 – 5 pieces
case; 7. Muscle, Tissue, and Cells 15mg each
 Must not allow any unauthorized person from entering the crime 8. Bones and Organ 1 – 5 grams
scene; 9. Sperm Cells 3 Swabs
 Ensures that all crime investigators who are attending to the 10. Dried Tissues 100 mg
processing of a crime scene, log their names in the Crime Scene
Contamination Sheet, with date and time of entry and exit from DNA SAMPLES
the scene as well as their individual purpose. Collection

1. Glassware and materials used in the collection of DNA should be

sterile
2. Place liquid blood or tissues in spill-proof container
3. Liquid blood should be collected with a sterilized syringe or
pipette and transferred to a sterile test tube with
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) as preservative and
should be kept in the refrigerator.
4. Blood mixed with water can be collected into clean plastic
GUIDELINES IN THE COLLECTION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE container using a syringe and frozen, prior to submission to the
WET BLOODSTAIN laboratory
5. Wet or damp blood stain garment (clothes, bed sheets, blankets and
Collection the like) requires to be air dried and individually wrapped in a
clean sheet of paper and then placed in separate paper bag
1. Liquid blood should be collected as a whole blood. It should be 6. Wet blood on big movable objects should first be air dry. The area
placed in a non-breakable leak proof and refrigerated as soon as must be covered with clean sheet of paper to protect during
possible. transportation
2. It can also be absorbed into sterile cotton linen and allowed to air 7. Small movable objects with dried bloodstains should be wrapped
dry at room temperature. This is done by hanging the wet blood individually with a clean sheet of paper and placed in a paper bag
stained linen cotton in a secured place. separately
8. Dried blood stain on big movable objects like carpets, upholstery,
Preservation and the like can be collected by cutting the stained portion with a
sharp instrument. Each cutting should be labeled accordingly and
1. Do not heat wet blood stained material or expose it to bright individually. Collect also unstained portion of the object to serve
sunlight. as control.
2. Do not expose the wet blood stained material to an electric fan 9. Dried blood stain on large immovable objects should be scraped
because trace evidence such as hair and fiber adhering to it may be off and placed in a paper packet. The packet is then placed in
dislodged. envelope.
3. Place the dried cotton linen with bloodstain in a brown paper bag
or box. Never use a plastic bag or container. Preservation

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 8

 1. Wet blood on garments and other objects must be air dry before 3. Wrap the entire item containing short fiber in a clean sheet of
packing paper and then place it in another paper bag. Seal and label the
2. Garment with blood stain should never be placed in a sealed container. Send all clothing which could be the possible sources of
container. the recovered fiber or thread. They will be subjected to comparison
3. Do not handle DNA sample with bare hands. examination
4. Do not mouth pipette any body fluids.
5. No ice should be used to the tube containing blood sample. Preservation
6. No liquid blood samples or wet blood stain be sealed in plastic
containers for more than 2 hours to prevent evidence from being Never place loose fibers directly into a mailing envelope. There is
destroyed by microorganisms. a possibility that they will leak from the paper envelope and get lost.

SEMINAL STAIN FOOTPRINTS, SHOEPRINTS, AND TIRE MARKS

Collection
The plaster or dental cast of footprints, shoeprints, and tire marks can be
1. The liquid semen sample can be absorbed by a clean cloth or gauze taken by doing the following procedures:
and then allowed to air dry. The sample is placed in paper bag
2. Garments and other items of evidence containing wet stain should 1. Photograph each of the impressions with and without a scale
be first allowed to air dry and individually wrapped in a clean sheet before making a cast.
of paper and then placed in separate paper bags 2. Place a retaining wall about one inch high around the impression.
3. Clothes, underwear, bed sheets, and blankets containing dried 3. Add either Plaster of Paris or dental stone to a mixing bowl
semen should be individually wrapped in a clean sheet of paper containing enough water that will fill the impression. Add more
and then placed in separate paper bags. water if the mixture is too concentrated; add more Plaster of Paris
4. Big movable objects like upholstery, carpets, and others with dried or dental stone if the mixture is too diluted. Stir the mixture
semen can be collected by cutting the stained portion, wrapped in a thoroughly to produce an appearance of a heavy cream.
clean sheet of paper and placed in paper bag. Cut an unstained 4. Hold the bowl containing the casting mixture close to the
portion adjacent to the seminal stained area to serve as control. impression and pour the content immediately by focusing first on
the least detailed area.
Preservation 5. Break the fall of the casting material to the impression by using a
ladle.
1. Do not heat the material or expose it to bright sunlight. 6. After half of the desired thickness is poured, reinforce the casting
2. Do not expose the material to an electric fan because trace mixture with chicken wire or broomstick.
evidence such as hair and fiber adhering to it may be dislodged. 7. Immediately add the remaining casting mixture to the reinforced
3. Package each item separately to avoid cross contamination. Seal layer. For operational economy, the thickness of the prepared cast j
and label the paper bag. must be about one inch.
4. Never use plastic bags in packaging. 8. Let the freshly prepared cast set within 20-30 minutes before
removing it from the impression to get a durable cast.
HAIR 9. Using a stylus or pointed instrument, mark the initials of the
Collection investigators on the cast, the date of casting, and other additional
information for identification purposes before becoming
1. Get hair samples from the victim, suspect or other possible sources completely dry.
for comparison with the questioned hair sample taken from the 10. Carefully lift the dried cast out of the impression and gently wash
crime scene. it with water. Do not allow the fine details of the cast
2. Collect loose hair from the suspect by directing him to rub or
massage his head over a big sheet of clean paper. Place the GLASS FRAGMENT AND FRACTURES
collected loose hair in a paper packet.
3. When collecting hair samples from a suspect, obtain about 100 hair The following must be observed in the collection of glass fragments and
strands with root bulb from the six quadrants of his head. Collect fractures:
about sixteen standard hair strands from every quadrant by
plucking the hair with root bulb using tweezers and place each in a 1. Small glass fragments should be placed in a plastic container such
white piece of paper. Fold each into a paper packet. Indicate in the as film canister and then placed in a paper bag/envelope.
diagram the respective quadrants from which the hair samples 2. Larger glass fragment should be placed in small box, bags or
were removed. envelopes.
4. Collect 2-5 pieces of hair samples with follicles or root for 3. Large glass fragments/fractures should be placed in boxes,
purposes of DNA examination. Place the samples in a paper packet properly packed.
and then place it in paper envelope. Seal and label the containers. 4. Glass fragments from different locations should be placed in
5. When collecting hair samples from the crime scene, first indicate different containers, sealed, and marked.
in the rough sketch the different locations v/here the hair strands 5. All glass fragments found in a hit and run crime scene should be
were found whether it is a single hair strand or a handful of hair. gathered
6. In sexual assault, collect 30-60 standard pubic hair from the victim 6. Objects contaminated with glass fragments like clothing and shoes
and from the suspect (if available). Their pubic regions should be should be wrapped in paper. No attempt should be made to remove
combed before collection of pubic hair samples is done because it loose glass fragments from the object.
is possible that there might have been an exchange of pubic hair as 7. Place inside the box a large glass fracture. Seal and mark the box
a result of violent contact. containing the physical evidence.
7. Small objects with hair strand attached to it must be wrapped in
clean paper and placed in a paper bag. Seal and label. PAINTS
Preservation
The following must be observed in the collection of paint evidence:
1. Do not cut the hair strands collected from the victim and the
suspect. 1. Paint that may have transferred to the clothing o f the victim in a
2. Hair strands caught in a crack of glass or in metal should not be hit and run case should be allowed to remain intact. Mark the
removed from, the object where they are attached. garment and carefully roll it in a sheet o f paper, then place it in a
3. Hair strand found in dried blood stain should be allowed to remain paper bag.
intact. 2. Chips of paint which were picked up from the same location may
4. Cover the area of a large object with hair strand attached to it using be placed in a paper packet, sealed and marked.
a clean sheet of paper. Secure the edges with plastic tape to prevent 3. When taking paint scrapings or paint chips from a vehicle that has
loss of hair during shipment. paint transfer from another vehicle, scrape the sample at the
location where the transfer took place. Scrape all the way down to
FIBER the bare metal which will possibly show several layers o f paint
Collection and primer in the same sequence as when the car was painted at
various times.
1. When strands of fiber are located in different areas, handle each 4. Obtain reference samples o f each color and make sure they are
one as a separate item of evidence. Collect the strands f fiber and scraped down to the base color. Collect them into a paper packet
place them in separate paper packet. Seal and label them. Place all and then place them in an envelope.
the paper packets containing individual fiber samples into a big 5. Paint scrapings found at different locations should be separately
brown paper envelope or bag. Seal and label the container. packaged, sealed, and labeled.
2. Pick up thread or large fiber using your fingers. Place the collected 6. Tools which contain trace of paint is processed in a manner where
sample in a paper packet and then place it in another paper the end of the tool containing the paint evidence is wrapped with a
envelope

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 9

 clean piece of paper, sealed with tape to prevent loss and placed in
an appropriate container, sealed and labeled. 1. Collect all left-over food and empty containers at the crime scene.
7. Gather paint samples from all areas where the tool may have come Place them in separate containers.
in contact with. The recovered samples should include all layers 2. The toxicological evidence contained in a glass bottle with lid
present. The paint specimen gathered from each area must be should be kept in an ice cooler.
placed in a clean sheet of paper which can be folded into a paper
packet, sealed and marked. DANGEROUS DRUGS
1. Obtain the weight of each drug and put in an appropriate container
SOIL SAMPLES FROM INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CRIME SCENE such as a vial or a pillbox. Seal and label the container.
2. Drug powders that are found in the hood of a car must be removed
1. Garments or footwear with soil particles should be collected intact. by using a vacuum cleaner. Place the drug particles and the filter
These items must be individually wrapped in big sheets of paper paper in a plastic bag.
and placed in separate paper bags. 3. Seal and mark the plastic bag with your initials and the date and
2. Vehicles involved in accidents will sometimes leave lumps of soil time of collection
from under the wheel wells and fenders on the road. The lumps 4. Dangerous drugs in various forms like powder, tablet and capsule
should be collected intact and wrapped in protective material to when they are found together in a drawer or locker must be
minimize bumping during transport. This will preserve the layers immediately segregated and placed in containers.
that have built up to create this lump of soil. These layers will help
determine where the vehicle has been. The layers in a lump of soil FINGERPRINTS (Latent Prints)
can also be matched to a particular vehicle.
3. Lumps of soil stained with blood, semen, or other biological 1. Slightly touch objects containing latent prints. Pick up the object in
samples should be collected intact and submitted to the laboratory areas least likely to contain identifiable latent prints.
as air dried samples. 2. Mark the lifted latent prints at the back portion of the lifting tape
4. At indoor crime scene, there may be footprints in soil or in dust. indicating the date and time of collection and place where the print
Samples made by foot wear should be photographed with and v/as lifted including the case number, name, and signature of the
without scale before being collected. The soil particles can best be evidence collector and signature of at least two witnesses. Then
collected using a portable vacuum cleaner with a metal screen on make a sketch of tire location of the fingerprint on the sheet of
which a filter paper is attached. The area is vacuumed and the filter paper where the lifted latent prints are attached.
is removed and labeled with the date, time, location, and name of 3. It is discouraged to use handkerchief in picking up objects with
the evidence collector who operated the vacuum. latent prints because the cloth will frequently wipe off any print
5. Tools with soil samples should be wrapped in a clean sheet of originally present unless they are immediately taken.
paper and then placed in a cardboard box. Seal and label the
container. FIREARMS EVIDENCE
6. Only the top surface layer of soil will be picked up at the crime
scene. Control specimens must be removed from the surface 1. A firearm with the cartridge in the chamber should never be
without digging too deeply into the lower soil surface layer shipped by any method even if the weapon is not cocked or on
7. The collected known and questioned samples must only be two safety.
table spoons each. 2. Unfired cartridges may be left in the magazines of a weapon
8. The soil to be collected from the ground must not exceed a depth provided the magazine is removed from the gun.
of ¼ to ½ inch. 3. The gun can be picked up by the textured surface on the grips
9. If the footwear or tire impression was taken from the subsoil which without fear of placing unnecessary fingerprints on the weapon.
is different from the topsoil, it is necessary to collect both samples 4. Physical evidence .such as fired bullets, empty shells, and firearms
for forensic analysis. should be properly marked with initials of the evidence collector or
10. All recovered soil samples should be placed in different plastic the victim prior to submission to the laboratory.
containers/vials. Mark each container to indicate the location 5. Fired bullets should be marked on the base and on the nose, ogive
where the soil sample was collected. or base but never on the body whereas fired cartridge cases must
11. Control samples should be collected at various intervals within a be marked inside the mouth. The marking should be placed near
100-yard radius of the crime scene as well as at the site where the mouth.
crime was committed for comparison with the questioned soil 6. Fired bullets and fired cartridge cases must be collected in a paper
samples. or plastic bag, sealed and labeled.
12. Soil samples for alibi locations claimed by the suspect should also 7. Before picking up gun, make sure that the gun barrel is not pointed
be collected. at anyone.
8. Fired bullets/empty shells found at the crime scene must be
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS separately collected and placed in plastic or paper bag. Firearm
should be placed in strong cardboard boxes.
1. Collect fallen debris and ashes from the different areas of a burned 9. Never clean the bore, chamber, or cylinder before submitting a
house. Pack the collected samples in separate metal containers with firearm to the forensic science laboratory.
cover. Seal and label then submit the physical evidence to a 10. Place weapons in strong cardboard boxes, well packed.
forensic science laboratory.
2. In the collection of suspected volatile substance like gasoline and QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
kerosene from fallen debris, collect questioned sample from the
lower layer of the fallen debris. 1. Collect seven (7) standard specimen signatures with
3. Obtain a small amount of volatile liquid from open containers and contemporaneous dates five (5) years before and after the
place in into a clean glass vial with an airtight lid. questioned document and submit them to the laboratory along with
4. Sample of wood, paper, soil, rags, cloth, and others should be the document containing questioned signatures.
placed in small metal cans and immediately covered, sealed and 2. Submit at least five (5) pages of the most current standard
labeled. handwriting specimen for the comparative examinations of
5. Large pieces of wood, upholstery, and similar objects which questioned handwritings.
cannot be accommodated in can should be placed in a big carton 3. For the examination of questioned signature, handwriting, and
box and immediately sealed and labeled typewriting, it is required to collect a combination of the
6. Seal and label each container before they are submitted to the requested/dictated standard specimens.
forensic science laboratory for examination 4. Do not allow the suspect to see the document with questioned
7. Do not use any rubber lined lid or plastic container in the handwriting if he is being requested to provide known handwriting
collection of flammable liquid. specimen.
8. Never use old empty paint cans in collecting flammable liquids. 5. The collected questioned documents and standard specimens must
9. Metal can with airtight cover is best used to collect volatile or be separately placed in paper envelopes. Seal and label the
flammable liquid to prevent loss of sample. container.
6. Avoid putting staples or pins on the documents which will be
EXPLOSIVE EVIDENCE submitted to the forensic science laboratory for examination.
Original copies of the standard signatures must be obtained for
1. Collect loose explosive debris from the seat of explosion and place purposes of comparative examination. Do not fold or crumple the
them in a plastic bag. submitted standard documents.
2. Collect additional explosive residues from the focus of the blast by
digging up to 3-5 inches deep.
3. Do not Touch anything at the bomb scene unless it is cleared by
the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EODU) expert.

POISON

Notes on Special Crime Investigation and Forensic Chemistry by BTY 10