SSRN Id3826806
SSRN Id3826806
SSRN Id3826806
In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements for the Subject
PHD CRIM 605 Advanced Techniques for Crime Analysis and Investigations
by
April 2021
ABSTRACT
The application of forensic science in criminal justice and the legal system is
invaluable method. Forensic science is like a piece without which the puzzle of a
criminal investigation is cannot be resolved. In the Philippines, there are existing PNP
Crime Laboratory offices - 5 NCR District Crime Laboratory Offices, 16 Regional
Crime Laboratory Offices and 101 Provincial Crime Laboratory Offices offering
autopsy, DNA examination, drug test, examination of altered/erased documents,
counterfeit bills, fingerprinting services, handwriting identification, histopathological
examination, macro-etching examination, polygraph examination, semen
determination, serology examination, signature identification, stencil tracing and
virginity determination and SOCO evidence processing.
The study aims to know the different forensic services that are frequently
utilized, the advanced technologies that are being used, the trainings that the
personnel are undergoing and the challenges to achieve the Organization’s Vision.
The study adopted descriptive qualitative research designs to meet the aim
of the study to its participants on the selected Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory
Office Personnel.
The following are themes developed based on the data gathered: (1)
Forensic Chemistry as the frequently utilized forensic services in the office; (2) Gas
Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is the most advance technology
utilized for drug testing and toxicology; (3) Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO)
Courses is the training capability provided to its personnel; and (4) Insufficient
Personnel, Facilities and Office Space are the challenges encountered by its
personnel.
The researcher recommends that the PNP should have an accreditation
agency to support or monitor quality assurance dedicated to the personnel and its
services inclusion of the manpower shortfalls, crime scene processing, digital
evidence analysis and various forensics examination. Request for a building of office
space that are wider and have sufficient space to perform expert examination.
CHAPTER 1
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The application of forensic science in criminal justice and the legal system is
invaluable method. Forensic science is like a piece without which the puzzle of a
criminal investigation is cannot be resolved.
In the legal system widely recognizes the role of forensic evidence in the trial
of criminal offenders. This is because when scientific techniques and methods are
used, there is not much scope for bias or injustice. Forensic evidence is extensively
used worldwide to both convict and exonerate defendants. Thus, forensic science
laboratories have mushroomed up all over the globe in the past couple of decades.
In fact, special acts have been enacted to improve the rendering of forensic
services, this would ensure that crimes are detected with greater certainty and
consequently conviction rates can increase. Such acts place a great emphasis on
time-efficient and quality management of crime scene. https://ifflab.org/the-
importance-of-forensic-science-in-criminal-investigations-and-justice/
The PNP Crime Laboratory envision that by the year 2020, it shall be highly
competent and trusted forensic laboratory for the effective delivery of justice by
providing scientific investigation and technical support to the PNP offices, other
investigative agencies, and the public through forensic examination, field work,
scene of the crime operations, training and research. https://cl.pnp.gov.ph/wp-
content/uploads/2020/12/CL-Citizen-Charter-2020.pdf
The PNP Crime Laboratory traces its origin from the Fingerprint Section fo the
G-2 Division of the Military Police Command Armed Forces in the West Pacific of the
United States Army (AFWESPAC), organized in May 19, 1945. Later on, it was
upgraded into a branch and renamed as Crime Laboratory branch of the Criminal
Investigation Services (CIS), the investigative arm of the Philippine Constabulary. The
Laboratory underwent several reorganizations and changes of names. It was
At present, the PNP Crime Laboratory is an ISO Certified Unit since 2006,
maintained its certification to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of forensic
services to the public. All over the country, there are existing PNP Crime Laboratory
offices - 5 NCR District Crime Laboratory Offices, 16 Regional Crime Laboratory
Offices and 101 Provincial Crime Laboratory Offices offering autopsy, DNA
examination, drug test, examination of altered/erased documents, counterfeit bills,
fingerprinting services, handwriting identification, histopathological examination,
macro-etching examination, polygraph examination, semen determination,
serology examination, signature identification, stencil tracing and virginity
determination and SOCO evidence processing.
http://www.pnp.gov.ph/images/Downloads/CLGServices.pdf
There was a 7.06% or 750,173 Increase in the total number of requests received
as compared with last year with 700,660. The bulk of the increase came from the
Internal Cleansing Program of the PNP.
Out of the total figure, 404,846 or 30.3% were requests from police investigators
for incidents under investigation. There was 137,619 increase as compared with the
same period last year with 267,227. Majority of the examinations performed were
support to the investigation of drug cases, shooting incidents, and cases of found
dead body.
On the other hand, a total of 1,932 Field Laboratory Works (FLW) were
conducted. FLW are forensic activities that include the collection of specimen for
laboratory testing from person and/or object in a place not usually the crime scene,
ex. conduct drug test to different police stations, etc.
In support to the prosecution of criminal cases filed by the PNP and other law
enforcement agencies, CL examiners and specialists rendered a total of 50,226
testimonies/attendance to various courts of law nationwide. These were out of the
52,177 subpoenas received relative to the forensic examinations conducted and
other technical assistance. The 1,951 variance was due to conflict of schedules. In
lieu of the absence of forensic examiners, a representative or deferment letters were
sent to respective courts requesting for the re-scheduling of date of hearing.
https://cl.pnp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2019-Accomplishment-
Report.pdf
RESEARCH PROBLEM
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
The study aims to know the different forensic services that are frequently
utilized, the advanced technologies that are being used, the trainings that the
personnel are undergoing and the challenges to achieve the Organization’s
Vision.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are the forensic services are frequently utilized to contribute on the
success of the evidence case building?
2. What are the advance technologies that are being utilized by the PNP Crime
Laboratory office?
The study focuses on different forensic services that are frequently utilized,
the advanced technologies that are being used, the trainings that the personnel
are undergoing and the challenges to achieve the Organization’s Vision. The
participant/s on this study are the active personnel of the Bulacan Provincial Crime
Laboratory Office from this year.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Figure 1:
Research Paradigm
CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY
Research Method
Research Design
Instrument
Due to the aim of the study, the researcher will create a semi-structured
interview guide to collect the necessary data for the study. The study used open-
ended questions to enable the researcher to collect in-depth information and for
the participants to share their experiences freely.
The interview guide is composed of questions are related to the participants’
actual performance of their duties and responsibilities as personnel of the Bulacan
Provincial Crime Laboratory Office. The researcher seeks adequate information,
from various relevant literatures and studies as served as guide to construct the
statement of the problem and to formulate the questions in the interview guide.
The first draft of the interview guide was formulated, and further critique and
improvements will be made. The research instrument will be validated by
competent authorities in order to verify that the interview guide was accurate and
clear before interviewing the respondents.
Procedure
The researcher has first sought permission from the PNP Crime Laboratory
Headquarter thru the OIC of the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office to
allow the researcher to conduct the research and to float the questionnaire
checklists within the research locale of the study.
All interview results are properly noted by the researcher, the google form
used to extend the questionnaire for the convenience of the participant was also
properly stored in the researcher’s google drive.
The result of all gathered information from the participants are collated, analysis and
created code for the common themes.
Ethical Considerations
CHAPTER 3
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
This chapter presents analyzes and interprets the findings of the study on the
Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory Services: A breakthrough in the Criminal
Justice System.
The following are themes developed based on the data gathered: (1)
Forensic Chemistry as the frequently utilized forensic services in the office; (2) Gas
Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is the most advance technology
utilized for drug testing and toxicology; (3) Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO)
Courses is the training capability provided to its personnel; and (4) Insufficient
Personnel, Facilities and Office Space are the challenges encountered by its
personnel.
The forensic services that are frequently utilized to contribute on the success of the
evidence case building
Among all specialized services offered by the office, the examination under
Forensic Chemistry are the most frequently utilized in contributing on the success of
the evidence case building such as: Analysis of Dangerous Drugs, Drug Test,
Chemical Analysis, GPR Paraffin Test, GPR for Firearm, Explosive, Toxicology, Alcohol
Analysis, Unfair Trade Competition and Unknown Chemicals.
Cases handled by the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Offices are most
drug related services since the Bulacan was one of the province having the highest
drug related cases.
performed at the District Attorney's request. These tests can yield positive results for
substances other than controlled substances (false positives). As a result, drug-
specific confirmatory tests must be conducted in order to positively classify the
substance. Confirmatory checks are “used to conclusively identify the identity of a
controlled substance,” according to State Crime Lab procedures from 2008.
https://forensicresources.org/forensic-disciplines/drug-analysis/
The premise of crime scene chemistry and how it is used to gather evidence
for law enforcement officers. One of the most notable developments in criminal
investigations is the appreciation of and technology associated with crime scene
chemistry. To begin with, chemistry expertise enables law enforcement to locate
evidence that was previously totally concealed. Second, and most critically, it
allows them to discover information that is almost 100% reliable.
Advance technologies that are being utilized by the PNP Crime Laboratory office
In the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office, there are only 20 personnel
to provide their expert services especially in the Forensic Chemistry unit there is only
1 personnel assigned.
Under the Republic Act No. 11279 entitled, “An Act Transferring the Philippine
National Police Academy (PNPA) and the National Police Training Institute (NPTI)
from the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) to the Philippine National Police
(PNP), amending for the Purpose Sections 24,35, 66, 67 and 68 of the Republic Act
No. 6975 dated April 12, 2019, where SOCO courses, specialization courses are all
under the Philippine National Police Training Service. The PNPTS is responsible for
uploading all courses available to all units of the PNP including the SOCO with
respective dates, uniformed personnel qualified for the training and similar
announcements.
experts from the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, and elsewhere
emphasize blended education methods, competency-building curricula, program
and policy development, and leadership concepts. These emerging paradigms
and technologies, coupled with a clear focus on ethical issues, provide a lucid
picture of the future of police training in both educational and law enforcement
contexts. In addition, the book's training templates are not only instructive but also
adaptable to different locales. Featured in the coverage: Simulation technology as
a training tool, the Investigation Skill Education Program and the Professionalizing
Investigation Program, redesigning specialized advanced criminal investigation and
training, a situation-oriented approach to addressing potentially dangerous
situations, developments in United Nations peacekeeping training and combating
modern piracy Police Organization and Training is a key resource for researcher
sand policymakers in comparative criminal justice, police and public administration,
and police training academies. It also has considerable utility as a classroom text in
courses on policing and police administration.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298038589_Police_organization_and_tr
aining_Innovations_in_research_and_practice
There are limited advanced technology equipments that are being utilized in
the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office – that affects the performance of its
personnel. Because of the lack of equipments, the remedial way to build the case
is to endorse to the national headquarter for examination, since most of the
advanced technology equipments used are in the Crime Laboratory National
Headquarter – which it resulted to a longer time to resolve the case, additional
expenses to the transmittal of the evidence to be examined.
officers often elect to enter the private sector, further accelerating the manpower
shortage. Rapid change in computer-related technology also quickly leads to
outdated equipment, technology, tools, and techniques. According to the ISTS
studies (2002 and 2004), 41 percent of the respondents indicated that the current
tools lacked essential features and 40 percent indicated that tools did not exist for
functions they needed to carry out as part of their investigative process.
https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/213420.pdf
Office Facility
The current office of the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office is about
35 square meter wide, having rooms for the Medico-legal unit, Forensic Chemistry,
Ballistics, Office of the Director, evidence room and a receiving area, however, the
office room is also the examination room, there is no sufficient office space to
examine the transmitted evidences.
CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
Forensic Science applied in the Crime Laboratory have the big role in solving
different crimes in the province of Bulacan likewise in the Philippines. Utilizing
advanced technologies, competent expert personnel, sufficient space of
workplace are the important factor to continually perform the Crime Laboratory
personnel to its finest.
Recommendations
Request for a building of office space that are wider and have sufficient
space to perform expert examination.
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