Special Crime Invest Notes
Special Crime Invest Notes
Special Crime Invest Notes
QUESTION:
1. Why criminal investigation is considered as an ART and as a SCIENCE?
2. Enumerate and explain the five elements of criminal investigation.
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been committed; how the offense was committed; who committed it; where the
offense was committed; when it was committed; and why it was committed.
QUESTION:
1. What are the Three I’s of criminal investigation?
2. What are the different sketch methods?
3. What are the different search patterns?
b. Recording
The investigator begins the process of recording pertinent facts and
details of the investigation the moment he arrives at the crime scene. (He
should record the time when he was initially notified prior to his arrival).
He also writes down the identification of persons involved and what
he initially saw. He also draws a basic sketch of the crime scene
and takes the initial photograph (if a photographer is available, avail
his services). This is to ensure that an image of the crime scene is
recorded before any occurrence that disturbs the scene. As a rule, do not
touch, alter or remove anything at the crime scene until the evidence has
been processed through notes, sketches and photograph, with
proper measurements.
d. Collection of Evidence
This is accomplished after the search is completed, the rough
sketch finished and photographs taken. Fragile evidence should be
collected as they are found. All firearms (FAs) found to have tampered
serial numbers (SNs) shall be automatically subjected to macro
etching at the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory (PNP-CL). A
corresponding request to the Firearms and Explosive Office (FEO) must
be made for verification purposes.
e. Markings of Evidence
Any physical evidence obtained must be marked or tagged before
its submission to the evidence custodian. These are information to
ensure that the items can be identified by the collector at any time in the
future. This precaution will help immeasurably to establish the
credibility of the collector’s report or testimony and will effectively
avoid any suggestions that the item has been misidentified.
f. Evaluation of Evidence
Each item of evidence must be evaluated in relation to all
the evidence, individually and collectively. If necessary, these pieces
of evidence must be subjected to crime laboratory examination.
Example: firearms for ballistic examination, hair strands etc.
g. Preservation of Evidence
It is the investigator’s responsibility to ensure that every
precaution is exercised to preserve physical evidence in the state in
which it was recovered/ obtained until it is released to the evidence
custodian.
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h. Releasing of Evidence
All collected evidence can only be released upon order of the court
or prosecutor, as the case maybe.
i. Chain of Custody
A list of all persons who came into possession of an item of
evidence, continuity of possession, or the chain of custody, must be
established whenever evidence is presented in court as an exhibit.
Adherence to standard procedures in recording the location of evidence,
marking it for identification, and properly completing evidence
submission forms for laboratory analysis is critical to chain of custody.
Every person who handled or examined the evidence and where it is
at all times must be accounted for.
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The four main tasks of the first officer on the scene are:
o To give first aid;
o To apprehend the suspected offender;
o To protect and if necessary collect and preserve evidence; and
o To cordon off and protect the area.
Avoid contamination
When two objects come into contact there is always a risk of
contamination, i.e. exchange of materials between them. The objects do not
even have to be in contact, since materials such as fibers and hair may be
suspended in the air. The best way of avoiding contamination at the initial
stage is to leave the crime scene untouched. The persons involved, for
example victim and suspect, must on no account be allowed to enter the
crime scene and must always be kept apart . Such persons should be dealt
with by different police officers and transported in different vehicles. If it is
necessary to recover something at the crime scene, this must always be done
by an officer who has not been in contact with the persons involved.
Cordons
The purpose of cordons is to make sure that unauthorized persons do
not enter the crime scene. Guarded cordons are always the best. The area
should be cordoned off with tape or rope and warning signs should be
put up. Make sure that the cordoned off area is sufficiently large. (It is better
if the area is sufficiently large).
Witnesses
Do not allow witnesses or suspects to return to or enter the crime
scene. Persons at the scene who are to be questioned should be taken to
separate premises in the vicinity and kept apart from each other, since they
may, for example, have valuable information or evidence on their bodies that
must be transmitted to other persons.
predicated upon the proper handling of the evidence from its initial
observance until its presentation in court. This Field Manual, therefore,
provides the standard procedures for crime scene processing such as
collecting, handling and preserving evidence. This also includes procedures
for the submission by the field forensic investigator of physical evidence for
examination by the PNP Crime Laboratory if the PNP Crime Laboratory
was unable to conduct Scene of Crime Operation (SOCO).
Make sure that a list is made of the people who enter the crime scene.
If shots have been fired, find out whether gunpowder residue/primer
particles have been collected from the hands of persons involved. If not,
request PNP crime Laboratory to do so at once.
Take a general photograph of the crime scene. Film the scene with a
video camera.
Pause and take stock of the situation then start planning. This is
where the crime scene analysis starts.
Note down your observations continuously. It is a good idea to use a
tape recorder.
Decide whether you need help from an expert such as a forensic
pathologist, biologist etc.
Take photographs continuously. Photograph all the evidences before
they are collected. If possible, engage a photographer for specialized
trace evidence photography.
Search for and collect evidence, objects and reference samples etc. that
are relevant to the crime investigation. Examine victims and suspects
too. Pay attention to the risk of contamination.
Consider conducting a detailed and extended search outside of the
crime scene.
Write a (continuous) seizure report.
Check the crime scene before the cordon is lifted. Make sure that you
have not forgotten anything important, such as interrogation reports. A
suspect may enter the crime scene area after the cordon has been lifted,
and this must not be allowed to destroy the value of the evidence
collected.
Death is defined as when any of the three vital body function is no longer
performing: respiratory system, cardiac activity, central nervous system.
Rigor mortis
1. At the moment of death the muscles relax completely, a condition
called “primary flaccidity”.
2. The muscles then stiffen, due to coagulation of muscle proteins or a
shift in the muscles‟ energy containers, into a condition known as
rigor mortis.
3. All of the body muscles are affected.
4. Rigor mortis begins within two to six hours of death, starting
with the eyelids, neck and jaw.
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Algor mortis
During the period of rigor mortis, the body gradually cools in a process
called algor mortis.
Putrefaction
1. In the absence of embalming or relatively rapid cremation, the
body putrefies.
2. The first sign of putrefaction is a greenish skin discoloration
appearing on the right lower abdomen about the second or third day
after death.
3. This coloration then spreads over the abdomen, chest and
upper thighs and is usually accompanied by a putrid odor.
4. Sulphur-containing intestinal gas and a breakdown product of
red blood cells produce both the color and the smell.
5. Seven days after death, most of the body is discolored and giant
bloodtinged blisters begin to appear.
6. The skin loosens and any pressure causes the top layer to
come off in large sheets (skin slip).
7. As the internal organs and the fatty tissues decay, they
produce large quantities of foul-smelling gas.
8. By the second week after death, the abdomen, scrotum, breasts
and tongue swell; the eyes bulge out.
9. A bloody fluid seeps out of the mouth and the nose.
10. After three to four weeks, the hair, nails and teeth loosen
and grossly swollen internal organs begin to rupture and eventually
liquefy.
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11. The internal organs decompose at different rates, with the resistant
uterus and prostate often intact after twelve months, giving
pathologists one way to determine an unidentified corpse’s sex.
12. Aside from the action of microbes, the breakdown of cells
(autolysis) helps destroy the body unless the corpse is kept at
temperatures at or below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
13. Cells die (necrosis) through the progressive destruction of
their various parts.
14. First, the cellular fluid (cytoplasm) and the energy-releasing
mechanism (mitochondria) swell.
15. Various products, including calcium, begin to coalesce in the
mitochondria as other mechanisms within the cell dissolve.
16. Next, loss of energy causes the cell to lose its connections
with neighboring cells (tissue destruction) and to further lose
control over the fluid within its outer barrier, much like an over
-filled water balloon.
17. The cell controller (nucleus) fails, and the packs of
destructive acids (enzymes) within the cell break loose. These
enzymes complete the work of destroying the cell.
3. Inspection of clothes
- Describe and photograph visible clothing in detail. (To be
completed in connection with the autopsy).
- Pay attention to creases, damage, bullet -holes, blood spatter,
dirt, position on the body etc.
- Examine the pockets. Make a list of the contents.
- Describe the presence of blood and any other stains on the
clothing.
- The clothes should be taken charge of in connection with the
autopsy.
4. Weapons
- Recovered weapons call for especially careful handling for safety
reasons
- Hold the weapon by a part with a rough surface or by the strap so as
not to destroy any evidence.
- Always check whether there are any cartridges left in the
chamber before doing anything else.
- Never insert any object, such as a pencil, in the bore or the
trigger-guard.
- Never point the weapon in a way that might injure someone
with an accidental shot.
- Check the safety catch, (If you are not sure of how to operate the
safety, do not handle the weapon.)
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- Take a general photograph of the scene. Film the scene with a video
camera.
- Note down your observations continuously. It is a good idea to
use a tape recorder.
- Decide whether you need help from an expert such as a
forensic pathologist, biologist etc.
- Make a note of signs of death. If possible, measure the body
temperature; write down the relevant times.
- In the case of hanging: cut down the rope so that the knot
remains intact for further examination.
- Hair. Are injuries concealed by hair? Has hair been torn off?
Foreign substances?
- Check for bleeding in the ears.
- Check for conjunctival bleeding.
- Examine the root of the nose and nostrils.
- Check whether there are any foreign objects in the oral cavity.
- Examine the neck for skin scrapings, red spots and strangulation
marks.
- Examine the arms for bruises caused by gripping and resistance.
- Check for marks made by syringes, especially in the crook of the arm.
- Examine wrists for old or new cuts.
- Examine the hands and under the nails for injuries due to
resistance and for swellings, hairs and skin fragments. If shots
have been fired, collect primer particles from the hands.
- Cover the hands with paper bags to facilitate the continued
search for skin fragments, hairs, fibres etc. during autopsy.
- Examine the front and back of the body from top to bottom.
- Examine legs and feet. Any blood on the soles of the feet? Any marks
or injuries indicating that the body was dragged?
- Describe and photograph clothes in detail. (To be completed in
connection with the autopsy). Pay attention to creases, damage, bullet
-holes, blood spatter, dirt, position on the body etc.
- Examine the pockets. Make a list of the contents.
- Describe the presence of blood and any other stains on the clothing.
- The clothes should be taken in charge in connection with the autopsy.
SEX CRIMES
In the case of sexual offences the most important trace evidence is
often to be found on the persons involved. It is therefore important to
treat these persons in the same way as crime scenes as regards the collection
and preservation of evidence. This is extremely important to avoid
contamination.
- Overview. Take your bearings at the crime scene so that you get a
rough picture of the area and what has happened.
- If the victim is a woman or child, immediately refer the matter to
the WCPD(Women and Children Protection Desk) of your unit
for assistance in the handling of the victim and to ensure that
proper procedures are observed. Start keeping an action log.
- Cordon off the area or extend the existing cordon if necessary
- Take a general photograph of the crime scene. Film the scene
with a video camera.
- Pause for thought and start planning. This is where the crime
scene analysis starts.
- Note down your observations continuously. It is a good idea to
use a tape recorder.
- Decide whether you need help from an expert such as a
forensic pathologist, biologist etc.
- Take photographs continuously. Photograph all the evidence
before it is collected. If possible, engage a photographer for
specialized trace evidence photography.
- Search for and collect evidence, objects and reference samples etc.
that are relevant to the crime investigation. Pay attention to the risk of
contamination.
- Write a continuous seizure report.
- Check the crime scene before the cordon is lifted. Make sure that you
have not forgotten anything important, such as interrogation reports.
A suspect may enter the crime scene area after the cordon has
been lifted, and this must not be allowed to destroy the value of
the evidence collected.
Avoid contamination
Crime-scene investigations related to sexual offences may call for a
great deal of work and many types of evidence may occur. Be very careful to
avoid the risk of cross contamination. Make sure that different people
collect and preserve evidence and materials in different places. Package
materials well and make sure that materials from different scenes are kept
separate, or stored in different rooms and handled by different people.
Photographic documentation
Photographic documentation is an important part of the
investigation, as in all crime-scene investigations. Use plenty of film.
Combine still photography and video filming.
Persons involved
Make sure that both the victim(s) and suspect(s) are taken to a doctor as
soon as possible, inter alia to secure forensic evidence. Give the doctor a
rape kit, which contains an action logbook and equipment for
preservation of evidence. After the examination, help the doctor to take
charge of the persons‟ clothes and preserve the evidence generated by the
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examination. Also help the doctor by providing information that will make it
easier to evaluate what evidence should be preserved. Make sure that injuries
are documented and contamination avoided.
DRUG-RELATED CRIMES
The PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) is the lead agency in
the anti-illegal drug operations and the PNP must coordinate with the
agency whenever it launches operations against illegal drugs. However, there
are also drug -related crimes such as murder/homicide and rape. The
following are checklists to help the police investigator:
Drug laboratories
Extreme caution must be taken in connection with operations against
illegal drug laboratories, since the following may be present:
- Booby traps
- Persons who are armed
- Persons who use chemicals as weapons
- Corrosive, flammable, hazardous (toxic) and explosive substances
- Air that is polluted by solvents and chemicals
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Information
It is important to make a written record of interrogations at an early
stage. Often, it is very important to get answers to a large number of questions
before debris removal starts. The information received may give contradictory
indications as to the primary fire area. Particular caution may therefore be
called for when debris is removed from certain areas.
Preliminary orientation
Study the fire damage and fire development without disturbing the
remnants of the fire. Try to obtain a preliminary idea of where the fire might
have started. In the case of fatal fires, find out whether the dead person
was alive when the fire started. Bear in mind that the fire may have been
started in order to conceal another crime. Come to an agreement with the
Salvage Officer so that he/she can go about his/her business without
interfering with the investigation. Preliminary determination of the origin of the
fire
The origin of the fire is determined on the basis of the information obtained
during the extinction phase together with the results of the preliminary
orientation. It must be borne in mind that this is only a preliminary
assessment, which is to be used to decide where debris is to be removed first.
Compare your theory with the information received.
Guideline: Where did most of the burning take place and where is the
lowest area affected by fire damage? That is the place to start looking for the
origin of the fire. If this assessment leads to the conclusion that there
may be more than one point of ignition, the removal of debris will have to
be carried out with extra caution.
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package it in fire bags. When all debris has been removed, the floor in the
origin area should be uncovered and it should be possible to sweep it so that it
can be studied with regard to fire damage and spread.
Reconstruction
Return all the objects that have been found to their original
places. Study the objects in relation to the burn patterns on the floor and
walls. Photograph and video film the uncovered area both with and without the
associated objects. Draw a sketch of the rooms showing the furniture and
interesting objects that were found.
a. Before entering the area, ask the person who reported the bomb the
following questions in a protected place:
- What is the object?
- Where is it exactly?
- When was it discovered?
- Who discovered it?
- Does anyone know why the object is there?
- Have any threats been made?
- Has anyone touched the object?
- Does the object emit any sound or smell?
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- What does the surrounding area look like? (Any signs of splinters?)
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Warning! This kind of house search calls for caution. Call in experts in
order to minimize the risk of accidents.
a. Find out as much as possible about the accident both before going to
the scene and upon arrival.
b. Decide whether you need help from bomb technicians, chemists or other
experts.
c. Start keeping an action log.
d. Take a general photograph of the site. Film the scene with a video
camera.
e. Pause for thought and start planning.
f. Note down your observations continuously. Take photographs
continuously. Photograph all the evidence before it is collected.
g. Draw a sketch. Measure and mark the places where objects ,
evidence and reference samples are collected.
h. Search for and collect evidence, objects and reference samples etc. that
are relevant to the crime investigation.
i. Write a continuous seizure report.
Information
It is important to keep track of information obtained during
interrogations at an early stage. Often, it is very important to obtain a
great deal of information before an explosion site is cleared up.
Preliminary orientation
Study the damage caused by the explosion without displacing the
explosion residues. Try to obtain a preliminary picture of where the explosion
centre is. If there are any fatal casualties, the bodies should be examined in
accordance with the instructions in the chapter on crimes of violence. If
there are any explosion remnants on the victim(s), collect and preserve
them.
Initial assessment
The initial assessment of the type of explosion, explosion centre etc. will
be used as the point of departure for where and how debris removal is to take
place.
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d. Special precautions
1. Make an explicit note if a person from whom material has been
collected is suspected of having an infectious disease.
2. Prevent contamination by avoiding all contact between
collected evidence and clothes seized from people.
3. Packages containing collected materials must not be opened
until the examination in the laboratory is to commence. The
only exception is when moist or wet material must be dried out
under normal room conditions.
Package in an envelope,
Collect water with a store dry and cool. Pour
clean pipette or syringe. the water into a clean,
dry test tube with a cork
or a vacuum tube with a
purple cork.
Moist semen or saliva Collect part of the Put the swabs in the
sample on some swabs. swab wrapper or a
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Dried semen or saliva If possible, cut out part Put each sample in a
of the surrounding paper bag or envelope.
material. Store cool and dry.
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Non-porous surfaces
should subsequently be
treated with amido
black.
Porous surfaces
should be treated with
DAB. Be careful. DAB is
suspected of being
carcinogenic.
Photograph the
developed prints
Glass from the crime If possible, take out the Pack in cardboard
scene to establish whole sash. First, boxes. Make sure the
from which side the attach any loose pieces pieces of glass do not
glass was broken of glass with tape. break.
Collect all the pieces of
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Place an original
package containing
liquid in a fire bag, seal
it and place it in a
cardboard box together
with vermiculite.
Material from a fire Collect any material Package in fire bags and
scene for flammable that may contain seal in accordance with
liquid analysis flammable liquid the accompanying
residues, e.g. carpets, instructions.
wooden floors and
insulation. Prevent holes from
forming in the bag by
wrapping sharp objects
in kitchen rolls etc.
mail.
If possible, avoid
damaging the
entry hole.
General Information
a. Should there be any query pertaining to the laboratory services in your
area, prior coordination with Crime Laboratory Office shall be made
before submission of your evidence. This can often be cumbersome
but can expedite the evidence reception process.
b. Submit only items that need analysis.
c. Be cognizant of the cross contamination with regard to your
packaging. Placing multiple unsealed items in one bag may lead to the
eventual elimination of that evidence.
d. All potential Bio-Hazard items must be plainly marked with Bio
Hazard stickers which are available from supply companies. If evidence
is suspected of being contaminated with Hepatitis B, HIV, or other
contagious viruses, it must be noted on the Request for Examination of
Evidence.
e. The laboratory will not re-analyze evidence previously analyzed by
an outside laboratory for the same type of examination.
b. Acceptable seals
1) Tamper-proof evidence tape
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Organizational Structure
a. Except when otherwise directed, t he SITG shall be composed of the
PNP Provincial/City Director of the province/city where the incident
happened who shall be the Task Group (TG) Commander of the SITG
while the Provincial Officer (PO) orChief of the local CIDU, CIDG shall
be the Deputy TG Commander.
b. The SITG shall be composed of the Investigation Team,
Technical/Legal Support Team from Legal Service and Prosecutors,
Admin/Logistic Team and a Case Record Officer.
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b. Follow-up Actions
1) Follow-up efforts must give special focus to
ascertaining/establishing motive.
2) During follow-up operations, SITG shall conduct profiling of victims,
suspects and witnesses;
3) Conduct link/matrix analysis and exploit evidence and information;
4) The SITG shall, as much as possible, hold paramount the convenience
of witnesses when requesting for their testimonial evidence;
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