csi

• SCENE OF CRIME OPERATIONS HISTORY PRIOR TO 1996 - 1991 VISCONDE MASSACRE (TRIAL OF THE CENTURY) Biong as accessory to the crime "by abusing his public functions... to conceal and destroy the physical evidence in order to prevent the discovery of the crime and by allowing the destruction of the physical evidence, Biong facilitated the escape of the principal accused
• SCENE OF CRIME OPERATIONS HISTORY 1996 - The Scene Of Crime Operations or SOCO was created pursuant to the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Resolution Number 96-058 (2 alternating SOCO teams catering the entire NCR) TRAININGS: Procedures and set up were mostly patterned with the European countries; US trainings also came in.
• History 2006 – Standardized Specs of SOCO Uniform was approved by the DRD 2008 – Creation of the first SOCO Manual 2009 – Establishment of the One SOCO per Province 2014 – Published the Revised Scene of Crime Operations Manual Present – SOCO Team per City Project - SOCO Special Course for CL DS Personnel
• 3 COMPONENTS OF CSI: Investigator - On - Case (IOC) - Conduct a preliminary evaluation of the crime scene that includes: Scope of the incident, Emergency services required, Scene safety concerns, Administration of life-saving measures, and Establishment of security and control of the scene
• 3 COMPONENTS OF CSI: First Responder - The first officer to arrive at the crime scene. Save & preserve life and medical evacuation as necessary. Secure and preserve the crime scene. Take the dying declaration. Make initial assessment & preliminary interview of witnesses.
• 3 COMPONENTS OF CSI: Investigator - On - Case (IOC) - Arrest, detain and remove the suspect. Turnover the crime scene to IOC after their arrival and assist the IOC in the investigation. Maintain security, crowd control, preservation of evidence and custody of witness/suspect.
• 3 COMPONENTS OF CSI: Investigator - On - Case (IOC) - Receive briefing from the FR and make a quick assessment of the crime. Assume full responsibility over the crime scene. Determines that a SOCO team is required: If necessary, report to the COP for SOCO. If not, proceed with the CSI without SOCO team and utilize CSI Form “4”
• Quadrant/Zone

  • The zone method breaks the crime scene area into squares. For example, a living room can be divided into four equal sections and examined by an individual investigator. In many cases, those squares are further divided into additional, smaller squares to facilitate evidence location
• Team Leader responsibilities

  Over-all supervisor in the conduct of SOCO. Coordinate with the Investigator-on-Case. Assume control of the crime scene. Conduct initial survey of the crime scene. Determine search pattern to be used. Designate command post. Coordinate for the security of the victims, offenders, and the crime scene
• Grid or Double Strip

  • The grid method is best used in large crime scenes such as fields or woods. Several searchers, or a line of them, move alongside each other from one end of the area to be searched to the other
• Responding to requests and conducting crime scene operations

  Respond only upon request through TOC and don’t join any operations of the local police or accompany the FRs/IOC in going to the crime scene. Request for Conduct Scenes of Crime Operation. Accomplish the CSI Form “4” (SOCO Report Forms) and furnish copy to the IOC
• CSI without SOCO team and utilize CSI Form “4”

  Investigator – On – Case: 3 COMPONENTS OF CSI
• Responsibilities in case of suspension of processing

  In case SOCO temporarily suspends the processing, IOC is responsible for the security of the crime scene. Brief the IOC on the initial results after the processing and jointly conduct the final crime scene survey with the IOC
• Spiral Search

  • The spiral can begin at a specific point and spiral outward or start on a perimeter and spiral inward. The width of the spirals depends on the circumstances but should be narrow enough to ensure complete visual coverage
• Different Methods of Search

  • Strip or Line Search
  • Grid or Double Strip Search
  • Spiral Search
  • Quadrant Search
  • Wheel/Pie Search
• Team Leader responsibilities (continued)

  Ensure for sufficient supplies and equipment. Control access to the scene. Evaluate efficiency of the search and ensure that all places are searched properly. After the termination of the SOCO, the SOCO Team Leader shall brief the IOC on the initial results and thereafter conduct the final crime scene survey together with the IOC; and The SOCO Team the Inventory of evidence form and furnish the IOC
• Evidence Recorder/Collector


  • Refers to forensic specialists who are necessary to identify, collect, examine, and present evidence to the court. Coordinate evidence nomenclature with sketcher, photographer, and evidence collector. Photograph the evidence before it is collected
• Request for SOCO

  TOC of Police Station makes the request for SOCO through PTOC/CTOC. Upon arrival of SOCO team, accomplish CSI Form “2”. IOC assures his support to SOCO team and be present during the CS processing. Brief the SOCO team upon their arrival at the crime scene and join in conducting crime scene survey
• If there is no Provincial or Regional Forensic Group Office in the province, the IOC may by himself conduct CSI. However, ensure that the correct procedures in the collection of evidence are observed to ensure the admissibility of the evidence
• Strip Search or Line Search


  • The strip method requires that crime scene personnel walk a path from one end of the crime scene, over to the other side of the room or area, and then return in the direction from which he or she first started
• Photography of tire impressions should show one full circumference of the tire with a scale for reference
• CSI Components

  Evidence Recorder/Collector: Identify, collect, examine, and present evidence to the court. Coordinate evidence nomenclature with sketcher, photographer, and evidence collector. Photograph evidence before collection. Appraise team leader of significant evidence. Put initial and date of evidence recovered and turn it over to the evidence custodian. Adhere to appropriate safety measures. Prepare evidence recovery log and accomplish the chain of custody of evidence. Package, preserve, and transport evidence to the Crime Laboratory.

  Crime Scene Photographer: Photograph entire area before entry. Take overall, medium, and close-up coverage of the scene. Photograph major evidence items before moving them. Capture all latent fingerprints and other impression evidence before lifting and casting. Footwear Impressions: Collect footwear and tire impressions for possible suspect or vehicle identifications. Use casting and photography for collection. Photograph impressions before casting to preserve original evidence. Use oblique lighting for dusty footwear impressions. Tire Impressions: Photograph in sections to show one circumference of the tire. Place a scale alongside the impression for reference. Take multiple overlapping photographs to capture one full circumference of the tire. Tool Marks: Marks left by tools like pry tools or screwdrivers can be collected for positive identification linking tools to the crime
• Photography of impressions is crucial for making positive identifications, but casting provides the best evidence as it preserves three-dimensional characteristics
• Tool marks left at crime scenes can be collected for positive identification linking tools to the crime
• Impression evidence


  • Footwear impressions, Tire impressions, Tool marks
• Impressions should be photographed before casting to preserve the original evidence
• Footwear and tire impressions are often overlooked evidence at a crime scene but can provide crucial links to suspects or vehicles involved in the crime
• Guidelines in taking Tool Marks

  1. Begin with a photograph showing where the tool mark is located in the crime scene

  2. Use both overview and mid-range photographs to clearly show the location of the tool mark

  3. If there are multiple tool marks, include numbered evidence markers to differentiate them
• Crime Scene Sketcher tasks

  1. Perform all sketches necessary during the crime scene processing

  2. Make a rough sketch outside the crime scene upon arrival

  3. Make measurements inside the crime scene after all evidence has been documented

  4. Measure distances of evidence in relation to the victim(s) and other pieces of evidence

  5. Important information is placed in the sketch, and the final sketch shall be prepared upon arrival at the office (Note: do not discard the rough sketch)
• Tool mark evidence collection

  Can be collected by casting and by photography
• Fingerprints are perhaps the most common form of evidence collected at crime scenes
• Tools used in the commission of a crime

  • Adjustable pliers
• Evidence Custodian tasks

  1. Maintain custody and control of evidence

  2. Coordinate transmittal of evidence to case investigators or to the Forensic Unit per agency guideline
• Crime Scene Photographer tasks

  1. Photograph blueprints, maps, and previous photographs of the scene as required

  2. Photograph victims, crowd, and vehicles

  3. Take final photographs to show the final condition as released
• Procedures in Photographing Fingerprints

  1. Photograph fingerprints before collection on major cases or if the latent may be destroyed when lifting

  2. If a latent print cannot be lifted, photographing it is the only way to document the evidence

  3. Photography can enhance faint latent fingerprints by building contrast between the latent and its background
• When a tool mark is collected, it is possible that a positive identification can be made linking a tool to the crime
• Incidents that need SOCO assistance

  • Attacks on cities, towns, barangays, and other populated areas
  • Attacks/raids on military or police installations
  • Raids, harassments, ambuscades of military or police troops
  • Liquidation of government, military, and police
  • Encounters with dissident terrorists, syndicates, and organized groups
  • Terrorist-related incidents such as hijacking, hostage-taking, kidnapping, or burning
  • Bombing and explosions
  • Mass actions
  • Heinous crimes involving prominent personalities
  • Arson cases & structural damage affecting 2 or more families worth Php 50,000.00
  • Robbery, Hold-up, Hi-jacking, Carnapping, etc. perpetrated by armed persons/groups
  • Arrests/neutralization of wanted persons
  • Enforcement of special laws
• Prominent personalities as victim/perpetrator

  • Elected & appointed national & local government officials down to barangay level
  • Foreign nationals, diplomats, tourists, and balikbayan
  • Religious leaders
  • Other personalities whose involvement in an incident may result in controversies
• Upon Arrival at the Crime Scene

  1. Team leader will coordinate with the IOC or talk to the first responder for evaluation on the condition of the crime scene before, during, and after the incident

  2. Record time/date of arrival & location of the scene, weather condition, lighting condition, and direction of wind and visibility

  3. Check if the crime scene is properly cordoned, extent of coverage & if it poses a safety hazard to the SOCO team & other units

  4. Determine the status of the victim: if still alive, bring the victim to the nearest hospital; if dead, proceed in crime scene processing
• Types of incidents requiring SOCO assistance

  • Terrorist-related incidents such as hijacking, hostage-taking, kidnapping, burning, etc.
  • Bombing and explosions
  • Mass actions
  • Heinous crimes involving prominent personalities
  • Arson cases & structural damage affecting 2 or more families worth Php 50,000.00
  • Robbery, Hold-up, Hi-jacking, Carnapping perpetrated by armed persons/groups
  • Arrests/neutralization of wanted persons
  • Enforcement of special laws
  • Rescue of kidnapped or abducted victims
  • Natural and man-made calamities and its related activities, such as evacuation, search and rescue, and relief operations
  • Jailbreaks, Escape of Prisoners/Detainees/Prison riots
  • Bombing Cases