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THE STATE OF THE ART OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE


CRIME LABORATORY SERVICES

A Research Paper Presented to


the Faculty of the College of Criminal Justice Education
Graduate School
University of the Cordilleras

In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements for the Subject
PHD CRIM 605 Advanced Techniques for Crime Analysis and Investigations

by

JOCELYN BOLOS BENTER


2nd Trimester 2020-2021

April 2021

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3826806


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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.

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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

History of Crime Laboratory in the Philippines

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

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reorganized on May 26, 1959 as a separate Unit of the PC under Table of


Organization and Equipment 3-07 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and was
renamed as PC Forensic Laboratory. On December 1, 1960, pursuant TO and EO3,
the unit was renamed as the PC Central Crime Lab. The Crime Laboratory had
continuous improvements in the following years in order to serve the people more
effectively.

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

For the Unit’s operational accomplishments on 2019, a total of 750,173


requests were received for forensic assistance; 958,967 laboratory examinations
were conducted and completed 958,597 out of the total number. The 5,220
pending requests for ballistics and DNA examinations were attributed to inadequate
number of examiners as to some PNCO examiners joined the Lateral Entry program
which are required to undergo more than a year training.

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

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support to the investigation of drug cases, shooting incidents, and cases of found
dead body.

SOCO assistance provided to the Investigators-on-Case (IOC) in processing


crime scenes registered at 6,508. There was an increase of 1,483 cases or 18.55% as
compared to the same period last year with 7,991.

SOCO Teams responded to following: 2,230 shooting incidents; 1,797 cases of


found dead body (Death under Investigation); 72 incidents of explosions/bombings;
249 cases of stabbing/hacking incidents, 497 cases of robbery, and 83 cases of
theft.

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

Due to the increasing reliance on scientific methodologies in criminal


investigations, many laboratories have faced mounting workloads. The Bulacan
Police Provincial Office – Crime Laboratory has an existing personnel of 20 that is
committed to extend their services with their expertise. However, along with its

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current ratio of personnel, increasing their capacity by streamlining their processes


and providing up-to-date training to keep up with technological capabilities in
solving crime to supports accessible resources for the personnel are still lacking
and not being addressed.

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?

3. What are the challenges encountered by the PNP CL personnel in achieving


its vision?

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

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.

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CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Figure 1:
Research Paradigm

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CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY

Research Method

The research methodology to be utilized is qualitative research. According


to Denzin and Lincoln (1994), Qualitative research is multi-method in focus,
involving an interpretive, naturalistic approach to its subject matter. This means
that qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, attempting to
make sense of or interpret phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to
them. Qualitative research involves the studied use and collection of a variety of
empirical materials case study, personal experience, introspective, life story
interview, observational, historical, interactional, and visual texts-that describe
routine and problematic moments and meaning in individuals' lives.

Research Design

The researcher used qualitative descriptive design. This type of research


describes a situation of a given state of affairs in terms of special aspects or factors.
What may be described are characteristics of individuals or groups on their
environment or conditions such as performances, effectiveness and others.

Population and Sampling

The researcher deployed purposive sampling in the respondents’ convenient


time to conduct the interview.

The study will be dependent on the discussions and interviews of the


participants based on their actual experiences in the conduct of their duties,
therefore the result of this study will be solely based on the answers given to an open-
ended interview questions based on that it is to be assumed that the participants
will be thoughtful, and honest in providing accurate data or information.

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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.

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Immediately after approval of this research proposal, the researcher


conducted data gathering by means of in-depth interview however, if there are
participants to prefer answering the interview via google form, the researcher will
forward the google form link to answer the questionnaire. Often, with only an
occasional question from the researcher for clarification, the researcher will ask
permission to the participant to have a conversational call to have an extended
interview.

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

All participants on this research at no point feel any coercion to voluntarily


involve in this endeavor. This includes any type of persuasion or deception in
attempting to gain an individual’s trust. Informed consent will be given, states that
an individual must give their explicit consent to participate in the study. Assuring all
participants that all data gathered are treated fully confidential and all be
extendedly used in this research only.

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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.

Application of forensic science in criminal justice system have undeniable


significant role in the administration of justice. The puzzle of a criminal investigation
will be incomplete without forensic science. Criminals will never be prosecuted
without the use of forensic science unless an eyewitness is present. Although
detectives and law enforcement agencies are interested in the gathering of
evidence, whether physical or digital, forensic science is responsible for the
examination of the evidence in order to determine facts that are admissible in court.

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

Examination under Forensic Chemistry

The Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office offers Medico-legal, Forensic


Chemistry, Physical Identification, Firearms Identification, Fingerprint Identification,
Questioned Document, Polygraph Examination, and Forensic Photography.

Among all specialized services offered by the office, the examination under
Forensic Chemistry are the most frequently utilized in contributing on the success of

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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.

According to Professor Mogens Johannsen of the Department of Forensic


Medicine of AARHUS University, Forensic chemistry and toxicological to a large
extent, the research serves to uncover the use and misuse of illicit substances,
medication and anabolic steroids, as well as mechanisms of action and toxicity. This
may be simple explanations of the structure of new, illegal designer drugs,
examinations of their metabolism, determination of purity in effects, as well as in
biological samples such as blood, saliva or hair. There are also many other projects
that can shed light on the questions that government agencies and institutions or
legal defenses ask in a relevant manner.
https://forensic.au.dk/en/research/bioanalytical-unit/forensic-chemistry-and-
toxicology/

Based on the article published on July 8, 2019 by Raul Dancel of Philippines


Correspondent, “Bulacan as a province of north of Manila is the new epicenter of
the bloodiest killing field”, as the figures provided there are at least 542 drug suspects
were killed in the year 2018 and most of those killed were in Bulacan.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/new-epicentre-of-dutertes-brutal-drug-
war-is-in-bulacan-amnesty-international

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.

At least two checks should be performed on any suspected controlled drug.


The first is a presumptive or screening test that determines whether or not the sample
contains a controlled drug. Presumptive tests are "used to assess facts in evaluating
the potential existence of controlled drugs into general categories," according to
State Crime Lab procedures from 2008. In certain cases, crime laboratories perform
only a screening test and then note in the lab report that further research will be

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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

Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GS-MS) is the advanced


technology that is being utilized by the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office.
This technology is used for drug testing for confirmatory examination.

For other specialized examination wherein no advanced equipments are in


the custody of the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Offices, it will automatically
endorsed to the PNP Crime Laboratory Headquarter like performing: (1) DNA
Analysis in Y chromosomal analysis in sexual assault cases, enhanced bone
processing, serological test; (2) Polygraph Examination using a Computerized
Polygraph Machine for scientific detection of Truth and Deception, pre-
employment screening, confirm or refute conflicting statements; (3) Automated
Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for fingerprint identification and examination;
(4) Questioned Document Examination; and (5) Firearms Identification using
Firearms Identification System (IBIS)Capable.

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According to Manika Barar (2015), Gas chromatography (GC) is an


instrumental technique used forensically in drug analysis, arson, toxicology, and the
analyses of other organic compounds. GC exploits the fundamental properties
common to all types of chromatography, separation based on selective partitioning
of compounds between different phases of materials. Here, one phase is an inert
gas helium (He), hydrogen (H2), or nitrogen (N2) that is referred to as the mobile
phase (or carrier gas), and the other is a waxy material (called the stationary phase)
that is coated on a solid support material found within the chromatographic
column. In older GC systems, the stationary phase was coated on tiny beads and
packed into glass columns with diameters about the same as a pencil and lengths
of 6 to 12 feet, wound into a coil. The heated gas flowed over the beads, allowing
contact between sample molecules in the gaseous mobile phase and the
stationary phase. Called “packed column chromatographs,” these instruments
were widely used for drug, toxicology, and arson analysis. Around the mid-1980s,
column chromatography began to give way to capillary column GC, in which the
liquid phase is coated onto the inner walls of a thin capillary tube (about the
diameter of a thin spaghetti noodle) that can be anywhere from 15 to 100 meters
long, also wound into a coil. Capillary column chromatography represented a
significant advance in the field and greatly improved the ability of columns to
separate the multiple components found in complex drug and arson samples.

The Forensic Resources in North California Office of Indigent Defense Services,


Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer is primarily used for confirmatory drug
test, it is considered as the “gold standard” of drug identification since it is the most
definitive and reliable confirmatory test. Gas Chromatography and High
Performance Liquid Chromatography is also utilized for qualitative identification. This
separation technique is use for a stationary and mobile phase, a pump and a
detector to separate the compounds in a mixture. Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy is the last confirmatory test utilized by the Office to measure the
amount of infrared light that is absorbed by a sample.
https://forensicresources.org/forensic-disciplines/drug-analysis/

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Challenges encountered by the PNP CL personnel in achieving its vision

Lack of Skilled Professionals and Personnel

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.

The participants answered that lack of skilled professional and personnel


results to backlog of cases to be examined and the additional backlog for
attending in the court hearings.

As stated by one the participant,


“Recruitment of skilled professionals like Forensic Chemists in the
Crime Laboratory Office is one the weakness area of the R1 office
to highly encourage this skilled professionals to join in the PNP or if
not at least, it will provide training capabilities it personnel to
possess such expertise, the training capabilities provided by the
office to its personnel having a rank of Patrolman is only the
completion of the SOCO Course. All personnel are required to
undergo the SOCO Course with 45 days schooling under the
Philippine National Police Training Service (PNPTS). Specialized
trainings are also provided for Police Corporal and higher ranks but
depending on the personnel’ choice of specialization.

According to Engetou (2017), personnel play a critical role in any company


because they must be sufficient and professional. These personnel must support
human resource management roles and work in concert with them to enhance
efficiency in all areas of the organization.

In an article published by Martinelli (2018), stated that the importance of


training in the workplace cannot be overstated. The types of training opportunities
available can differ depending on your business, but all workplace education

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opportunities provide a number of general benefits. By ignoring the importance of


workplace training, risks are: unsafe work environments, unhappy, unsatisfied
employees, reduced productivity, and increased staff turnover.
https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/lack-of-training-in-the-workplace/

In the research conducted by the National Institute of Justice, as a continuing


education, some options to address the training needs of forensic examiners and
managers include traditional face-to-face or hands-on training, collaborations, and
alternative delivery systems such as electronic media. Regional centers would be
suited for expanding the scope and delivery of training programs. Also, professional
models for training and establishing competency should be encouraged. The
forensic science community should consider methods to encourage quality
graduate education in forensic science. ASCLD suggested that a program to
eliminate or forgive student loans for graduates who obtain full-time employment in
public forensic science laboratories be considered.
https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/213420.pdf

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.

According to Haberfeld (2013), improvements in training are a vital means of


both staying ahead of lawbreakers and delivering the most effective services to the
community. Police Organization and Training surveys innovations in law
enforcement training in its evolution from military-style models toward continuing
professional development, improved investigation methods, and overall best
practices. International dispatches by training practitioners, academics, and other

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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

Lack of Advanced Technology Equipments

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.

Like many forensic disciplines, lack of manpower and equipment are


concerns in digital forensic science. According to studies by NIJ and the Institute for
Security Technology Studies (ISTS) at Dartmouth, the law enforcement community
has identified a need for more computer crime investigators and
technology/equipment. Lured by shorter hours and higher pay, highly trained

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3826806


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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.

Poor facility design can have other adverse consequences. Heating,


ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) problems allowed the spread of
tuberculosis in more than one medical examiner’s office. Facilities still exist that lack
drains. In some cases, blood and other body fluids that can contain infectious
material are sometimes collected in buckets and disposed of in sinks or toilets. At
least one-third of facilities lack appropriate design and airflow systems to facilitate
control of airborne and other pathogens.
https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/213420.pdf

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3826806


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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.

Using advanced technologies as forensic instruments to examine the same


artifacts will add significant details, establishing a tenuous link between the players
and the case, and providing new insights. Forensic analysis can make the difference
between solving a crime and if not, the case will not be resolved.

Recommendations

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.

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3826806


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REFERENCES:
Barar, Manika (2015). The Role of Chemistry in Processing Crime Scenes.
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pp 10-16, 2015. www.medipharmsai.com
Blog on Forensic Science Plays a Pivotal Role in the Legal System. Incognito Forensic
Foundation. Retrieved from https://ifflab.org/the-importance-of-forensic-
science-in-criminal-investigations-and-justice/ on January 16, 2021.
Dancel, Raul (2019). Article on New epicenter of Duterte’s brutal drug is in Bulacan:
Amnesty International. Philippines Correspondents. Published in The Straits
Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/new-
epicentre-of-dutertes-brutal-drug-war-is-in-bulacan-amnesty-international on
March 29, 2021
De Ungria, Maria Corazon and Jose, Jose M. (2018). Forensic Science in Challenging
Environments: The Philippine Experience. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326106801_Forensic_Science_in_
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