TAKE NOTE: When a crime is committed and reaches the attention of the police, an appropriate

investigation must begin.

In response to any criminal report or complaint, the police must proceed to the crime scene.
The earliest officer who arrives at the CS is called FIRST RESPONDER.
After the FR confirmed the existence of an incident and it appears that a crime has been committed, he
calls the station to send a POLICE/CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR.
Usually, the detective sent by the P/station will be assigned as the INVESTIGATOR ON CASE.
He is the police personnel assigned to investigate the incident because he is actually the DUTY
INVESTIGATOR when the p/station received the call from the FR.
When the IOC, together w/ the FR/s, have taken proper jurisdiction of the incident, they must do
immediately the so-called CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION and not necessarily the SCENE OF
THE CRIME OPERATION.
NOTA BENE: CSI is not same with SOCO

SCENE OF THE CRIME OPERATION- a forensic procedure performed by a team of trained

personnel from the Crime Laboratory Office. Involves scientific methods of investigation for the ff
purposes:
 1. Preserving of the crime scene
2. Gathering information
3. CS documentation
4. Collection and examination of all physical and other forensic evidence.
WHEN IS SOCO performed?

 The CSI team will request SOCO specialist from the PNP Crime Lab:
 When the evidence encountered in a particular crime scene needs special processing due
to the controversial nature and/or the sensational nature of the case.
CSI (crime scene investigation) is the process of recognizing, searching, collecting, preserving, and
documenting physical evidence at the CS. It covers the process of identifying and interviewing witnesses
and/or victims at the CS, including on-the-spot arrest of suspected offenders.  CSI involves more than just
searching the crime scene.
CSI in the PNP setting:

 A comprehensive inquiry about a crime.

 Done in a systematic procedure of various investigative methodologies which involves
recovery of physical and testimonial evidence.
PURPOSE:
1. To identify the witness.
2. To arrest perpetrators for prosecution
The CSI starts with the arrival of the PNP FRs to the arrival of the Duty Investigator/IOC .and the
SOCO Team until the lifting of the security cordon and release of the crime scene. 
How is CSI concluded?

 CS is concluded with the lifting of the security cordon (police line) and the release of the crime
scene.
In the PNP setting, what is the nature of CSI?
1. CSI refers to the post-incident police operational procedures undertaken at the crime scene. It
presupposes that the crime has been consummated and therefore investigation is to be commenced with
the securing and processing of the place of occurrence. (PNP SOP on the Conduct of CSI)
2. CSI is one of the most critical stages of any criminal investigation . The initial actions taken at the crime
scene by the FR/s, Investigators and SOCO Team members at the outset of the investigation are of such
vital importance that oftentimes their actions would determine the outcome of the investigation. However,
while CSI is the most important stage of the investigation in terms of collecting vital forensic evidence
and information, this initial stage is also often the most chaotic and therefore prone to errors.
What is one of the major sources of confusion at the CS?
Case reviews of major cases conducted by the DIDM through the EPJUST Program have revealed that
one of the major sources of confusion at the crime scene is the unclear delineation of functions of the FR,
IOC and the SOCO Team of the PNP-CL. While the PNP mandated the PNP Crime Laboratory to
conduct SOCO as early as 1996, this doctrine of utilizing the SOCO team in the collection of forensic
evidence at the crime scene necessitates the issuance of a protocol if only to lay down the functions,
responsibilities and accountabilities of each member of the CSI team.
It is imperative to remember, however, that the IOC has the primary responsibility over the crime scene
and takes control and supervision in the overall crime scene investigation. A systematic and organized
procedure on crime scene investigation is therefore the key to ensuring that all potential physical evidence
are properly preserved and collected, all possible witnesses are identified and documented, and all the
necessary basic procedures are undertaken properly.
What are the 2 main objectives of CSI?I
1. To establish what happened
2. To identify the responsible person/s
What are the purposes of the PNP-SOP (standard operating procedures) on the conduct of CSI?
 For the purpose of PNP-SOP, CSI refers to all the investigative procedures undertaken at the crime scene
commencing from the arrival of the PNP FRs to the arrival of the Duty Investigator/IOC and the SOCO
Team until the lifting of the security cordon and release of the crime scene
The following are the intents and purposes of this SOP:

1. To define and delineate the functions and responsibilities of the FRs. the IOC, and the SOCO Team
in the conduct of crime scene investigation;
2. To establish and harmonize the sequence of activities that shall be conducted at the crime scene and
identify the accountabilities of each responsible PNP personnel/team;
3. To set the standard forms that shall be required to be accomplished by the FR, the SOCO Team and
the IOC, which shall henceforth become an integral part of the case folder;
4. To minimize the most common mistakes committed by the investigators and ensure that potential
physical evidence is not contaminated or destroyed and potential witnesses are not overlooked;
5. To ensure that lives are saved and that the security and safety of the PNP CSI personnel
(FR/IOC/SOCO) are enhanced;
6. To ensure that the CSI procedures are conducted properly, efficiently and effectively to ensure the
admissibility of collected evidence in court; and
7. To address and mitigate the investigation procedural weaknesses identified during the conduct of case
reviews.

What is the scope of the application of the PNP SOP on the conduct of CSI?
This SOP applies to all crime scene investigation undertaken by the PNP and provides the procedures to
be observed by the FRs, IOC, and SOCO Teams as well as the reports formats that they shall be
required to prepare. This procedure shall likewise be observed by the Special Investigation Task
Groups (SITG)-commonly known as investigation task force.

CSI (crime scene investigation) has a broader scope than SOCO (scene of the crime operation).
As performed by the PNP, CSI is done by a group/team of police personnel from the police station/office
that has territorial jurisdiction over the area where the violent incident took place.
SOCO is done by a group of trained PNP personnel from the crime lab service. Such group is called
SOCO team. 
STANDARD COMPOSITION OF SOCO TEAM:

 SOCO Team Leader

 Evidence Custodian/Driver
  Forensic Specialist/technicians
 Forensic photographer
 Measurer/sketcher
 Fingerprint expert
 Forensic chemist
 Firearms examiner
 Medico-legal officer

The PNP CSI Team:

 More commonly referred to as the INVESTIGATING TEAM (IT)

 Composed of personnel from the police station who has territorial jurisdiction of the place where
the crime is committed. Team leader, recorder, photographer, evidence custodian, composite
illustrator (cartographer).
 Refer to PNP investigation protocol #3.
NOTE: The PNP has 7 stages of CSI as integrated in their CRIME SCENE RESPONSE PROCEDURE.
Upon the arrival at the CS, the IOC must be briefed by the FR. If the IOC evaluated that the incident falls
under the jurisdiction of the Crime Lab SOCO team, then he should request for the conduct of the SOCO.
What are the incidents fall under the jurisdiction of the CLS-SOCO?

 When the evidence encountered in a particular crime scene needs special processing due
to its significance and/or the sensational nature of the case.
Who are the PNP personnel involved in the conduct of CSI?
1. FR
2. IOC
3. SOCO Team Leader
4. Videographer and recorder
5. SOCO Specialists / Technicians
6. Evidence Custodian