Crime Scene Investigation Procedure

1. Assess the situation before conducting an actual search to determine the

number, kinds, and views of the photographs to be made, and the plan of the sketch;

2. Immediately design a headquarters or the area where you could stay in

which there are no possible evidence that may be accidentally disturbed or altered;

3. After assessing the situation, adopt appropriate search plan by using any of
the following methods, namely: strip method, spiral method, zone method and wheel
method;

4. Use an appropriate instrument or equipment to collect the evidence and

place them in a container with proper label or tag;

5. Do not touch or move any evidence once it is located until it has been
identified, measured, recorded, and photographed;

6. Consider all objects or items found inside or within the crime scene as
significant and take appropriate documentation and recording;

7. Photograph the crime scene by making series of overlapping shots from the
parameter inward to obtain maximum information on how the crime was committed;

8. Take the following photographs at the crime scene:

a. Overall photograph – Done clockwise until at least four general views

have been taken, Photograph of the victim – A set of picture showing the relationship
of the cadaver over the surrounding, including the injuries the victim sustained;

b. Photograph of evidence – Weapon, blood stains, hair, paper, and

other pieces of evidence must be photographed before removal;
c. Photograph of the vicinity or environment.

d. Take note of the following photographic data:

i. Data to identify the photograph with the offense;

ii. Name of the photographer;

iii. Date and hour when each photograph was taken;

iv. Data about the light and weather condition when each
photograph was taken;

v. Data about the type and make of the camera, and the kind of
film used;
 vi. Focal length of the lens;

vii. Data on the developing printing and other special laboratory

techniques.

9. Prepare a rough sketch of the crime scene indicating the actual

measurement of the things but need not be drawn to scale as basis in the court
presentation;

10. Make the following sketches:

a. Sketch of the crime scene - The crime scene and its vicinity including
neighboring building and roads to the crime scene;

b. Sketch of grounds – Picture of the scene of the crime with the nearest
physical surrounding such as house with its garden, floor plan, and
others;

c. Sketch of details – Immediate scene only, like the room where the
actual crime is committed.

D. Basic Stages in a Search Operation

1. Preparation

a. Accumulate packaging and collection of material necessary for typical

search circumstances;

b. Prepare the preliminary format for the paper work needed to

document the conduct of search;
c. Ensure that all specialists are aware of the overall forms of pieces of
evidence usually encountered as well as the proper handling of materials;

d. Evaluate the current legal ramification of crime scene searches (e.g.

obtaining of a search warrant);

e. Discuss the upcoming search with involved personnel before arrival at

the scene if possible;

f. Select, when feasible, person-in-charge and make preliminary

personnel assignment before arrival at scene if practicable;

g. Consider the safety and comfort of the search personnel. Prepare to

encounter a potentially dangerous scene or inclement weather by insuring provision
such as clothing, communication, light assistance, shelter, transportation, food,
medical assistance, scene security, and equipment at all times;

h. Assessment of assignments to include aptitude, training, and

experience of each individual is required for the successful processing of the crime
scene;

i. In instance of prolonged search efforts, consider the use of shifts by

using two or more teams-transfer paper works and responsibility in a pre-planned
manner from one team to the next;

j. Set-up a communication system with service of ancillary nature in

order that questions that would surface will be resolved;

k. The possibility of coordinating multi-jurisdiction scene investigation

should be explored. It is advantageous to have working agreements that are mutually
acceptable to potentially involved agencies. These arrangements should be made
before confusion occurs in an actual multi-jurisdictional case, rather than as a later
crisis response.

2. Approach to the Scene

a. Record the time and date of arrival at the crime scene, location of
the scene, condition of the weather, condition and type of lighting, direction of wind,
and visibility;

b. Secure the crime scene by installing the crime scene tape or rope
(police line);

c. Before touching or moving any object at the crime scene, determine

first the status of the victim, whether he is still alive or already dead. If the victim is
alive, the investigator should exert effort to gather information from the victim
himself regarding the circumstances of the crime, while a member of the team or
someone must call an ambulance from the nearest hospital. After the victim is
removed and brought to the hospital for medical attention, measure, sketch, and
photograph. Only a coroner or a medical examiner shall remove the dead body unless
unusual circumstances justify its immediate removal;

d. Designate a member of the team or summon other policemen or

responsible persons to stand, watch, and secure the scene and permit only those
authorized persons to enter the same;

e. Identify and retain for questioning the person who first notified the
police, and other possible witnesses;
 f. Determine the assailant through inquiry or observe him if his identity
is immediately apparent. Arrest him if he is still in the vicinity;

g. Separate the witnesses in order to get independent statements;

h. Be alert for discarded evidence and make pertinent notes;

i. Establish frame-of-mind to take control of scene regardless of

circumstance observed on arrival;

j. Consider personal safety.

3. Security and Protection of the Crime Scene

a. Take control of the scene upon arrival and determine the extent of
area which has been protected;

b. Double check for adequacy of scene security;

c. Obtain information from logical personnel who have entered the

scene and have knowledge relative to its original condition;

d. Identify the individual who is designated as the person-in-charge for

final decision making and problem resolution;

e. Take extensive notes; do not rely on memory;

f. Keep unauthorized persons out of the scene and record those who
entered and left the place of interest.

4. Preliminary Survey

a. Initial a preliminary survey which will function as the implementation

plan for the entire search;

b. Accomplish a cautious walk-through of the scene;

c. For the person-in-charge, he should maintain definite administrative

and emotional control;

d. Select appropriate narrative description techniques;

e. Acquire preliminary photograph;

f. Define extent of the search area, usually expanding from the initial
perimeter;
 g. Organize applicable methods and procedures. Recognize special
assignments;

h. Determine personnel and equipment needs. Make specific assignment;

i. Identify and protect transient physical evidence;

j. Develop a general theory of the crime;

k. Take down extensive notes to document important factors in the

scene like physical and environmental condition, pieces of evidence, movements of
personnel, etc.;

l. On vehicles, get licensed plate number, description of vehicles,

position of key, and odometer reading.

5. Evaluation of Possible Physical Evidence

a. This evaluation begins upon arrival at scene and become detailed in

preliminary survey stage;

b. Based on preliminary survey, establish evidence types most likely to

be encountered;

c. Ensure that collection and packaging equipment is sufficient for task

at hand, a given scene may require special techniques not normally used;

d. Concentrate on the most transient evidence and work to the least

transient forms of these materials;

e. Ensure that all personnel consider the great variety of possible

evidence, not only evidence within the scene of their respective specialty;

f. Focus first on the easily accessible areas in operation view and

progress eventually to possible out-of-view locations and look for purposely hidden
items;

g. Evaluate whether or not the scene and evidence intentionally appear

contrived.

6. Obtaining a Narrative Description

a. Make a narrative that is running, use general terms in describing the

condition of the crime scene;
 b. Represent the scene in a “general to specific” reference scheme;

c. Photograph supplement narrative description at this point.

d. Use systematic approach in recording the narrative – no item is too

insignificant to record if it catches one’s attention;

e. Do not permit narrative effort to degenerate into a sporadic and

unorganized attempt to recover physical evidence – it is recommended that pieces of
evidence are not to be collected at this point under most circumstances;

f. Methods of narrative are written, audio, video (sight/sound or sight

only).

7. Depiction of Crime Scene on Photograph

a. Take photograph as soon as possible;

b. Document photographic effort with photographic log;

c. Ensure that a progression of overall, medium, and close-up view of

the scene is established;
d. Use organized scale device for size determination when applicable;
e. Have a raw photograph first before taking one with the use of scale
device;

f. Photograph evidence in place before its collection and packing;

g. Be observant of the photograph areas adjacent to the crime scene –

point of entry, exit, windows, attic, etc.;

h. Consider feasibility of aerial photograph;

i. Photograph items, places, etc., to corroborate the statements of

witnesses, victims, suspects;

j. Take photograph at eye-level, when feasible, to represent scene as

would be observed by normal view;

k. Photographs are two-dimensions and are usually supplemented by

diagram/sketches;

l. Film is relatively cheap as compared to the rewards obtained – do not

hesitate to photograph something which has no apparent significance at that time
since it may be later proved to be a key element in the investigation;
 m. Prior to lifting of latent fingerprint, photograph should be taken at a
1:1 scale or using the appropriate scale;

n. Acquire prior photograph or blueprint of scene area.