CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION AND RECONSTRUCTION

CHAPTER 3

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION AND RECONSTRUCTION

I. INTRODUCTION

This chapter is intended to discuss oh how to conduct a Crime Scene Investigation

and their procedure. It also talks about the crime scene processing, methods of search,
and reconstructing crime scene.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the chapter, the students should be able to:
1. Discuss the procedures in criminal investigation.
2. Explain the process how the crime reaches the attention of the police.
3. Explain the responsibility of first responder upon reaching the crime scene;
4. Discuss the job of the investigating team; and
5. Discuss the basic priorities in criminal investigation
6. Discuss the methods of search
7. Explain the purpose of the marking, tagging and collection of evidence.
8. Discuss the rules in sketching crime scene
9. Illustrate the process of evaluating, preserving, and releasing of evidence.

III. LEARNING RESOURCES

This part contains the instructional materials that are used to convey the elaboration
of the content of the subject matter for Week 4-5: “Crime scene investigation and
procedure”.”

Scene Processing- the term applied to the series of steps taken to investigate a crime
scene.

First Police Officer- is responsible for preventing other non-essential police personnel
and civilians from entering the scene and often establishes a perimeter around the crime
scene

Crime Scene Technician- an expert in finding and identifying physical evidences such
as hair, fibers, empty bullet capsules, bloodstain objects, and body fluids which may be
found in carpets, on furniture, walls.

Forensic Anthropologist- An expert who identifies highly decomposed or charred

human remains are found, when difficulty in gathering evidence is experienced.
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Crime Scene Response- involves particular police procedure not limited to; in the
preservation of crime scene, identification and assistance to injured persons, recording
the names and location of the hospital the case investigator general crime investigation
responsibility to determine the case motive of the crime.

Crime Scene Investigation- is the conduct of processes more particularly on the

recognition, search, collection, handling, preservation and documentation of physical
evidence to include the identification and interview at the arrest of the suspect at the crime
scene.

Crime Scene Investigator- people who examine crime scene with district specialties
such as forensic photography and fingerprinting.

Laboratory Specialist- are criminal investigators who focus on analyzing trace evidence.
These are the people who identify whether a bullet has been fired for a specific gun.

LESSON 1.1 CRIME SCENE PROCESSING

DUTIES OF THE FIRST RESPONDER

Any police officer who arrives at the crime scene shall protect and secure the crime scene
as follows:
• Cordon off the crime scene
• Evacuate the injured person to the nearest hospital
• Prepare to take dying declaration of severely injured person
• Prevent the entry/ exit of persons within the cordoned area
• Having preserved the crime scene, it is his duty to jot down the names of possible
witnesses or suspects
• Prepare to brief the investigator of the situation upon their arrival
Dying Declaration- a statement of a person who is about to die in which the statement
is relating to the cause of his death and will serve as a competent witness if he survives

REQUISITES OF DYING DECLARATION

a) The death is imminent, and the declarant is conscious of the fact
b) That the declaration refers to the cause and surrounding circumstances of such
death
c) That the declaration relates to facts which the victim is competent to testify to.
METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION BY WITNESS

1. Verbal Description
2. Photographic Files (Rogue’s Gallery)
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3. General Photograph
4. Artist’s Assistance
5. Police Line-up
- it is used as a means of selecting a suspect from a group of innocent persons
which eliminate the power of suggestion. This is conducted with seven (7) to ten
(10) persons with almost the same appearance as to height, hair color and
clothing. During identification, the line-up members should not talk, unless voice
identification s required. If there are more than one witness, they should make their
identification separately and should not be allowed to confer with each other, until
they have indicated their individual decisions to the investigator.

DUTIES OF INVESTIGATOR-ON-CASE (NOT REQUIRING SOCO ASSISTANCE)

1. Conduct assessment of the crime scene

2. Investigate the incident
3. Conduct Crime Scene Investigation
a. Evaluate Evidence at the Crime Scene
b. Documentation (Photographs and Sketch)
c. Collection and Handling of Evidence
d. Custody/handling of Evidences
REQUIRING SOCO ASSISTANCE

1. The investigator on case conduct assessment of the crime scene

2. Investigate the incident
3. In cases where the evidence encountered needs special processing due to
significant or essential cases, the Scene of Crime Laboratory shall be requested.
Significant Cases:

- Bombing incident
- CT (counter-terrorism) initiated terrorist activities
- Raids, ambuscade, liquidation
- KFR (Kidnap for ransom) cases
- Armed Robbery of banks
- Calamity/Disaster
- Massacre
- Heinous Crimes (treason, Piracy, qualified piracy, Qualified bribery, parricide,
murder, infanticide)
- Murder, Homicide, Arson, Rape with homicide
Sensational Cases:
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- Elected Public Officials

- Appointed Public Officials with the rank of Commissioner, secretary and under
secretary
- Foreign Diplomat
- PNP/ AFP Personnel
- Any foreigner
- Ex high ranking officials
- Other prominent figures such as movie stars, sports stars, tri media practitioners
etc.
4. The investigator on case should turn over the case the crime scene to SOCO and
assist in securing the crime scene perimeter area
5. Observe and conduct of SOCO by the Crime Laboratory,
6. Receive the Crime Scene from the SOCO team
Duties of the SOCO Team
1. Crime Scene Approach
- Be alert for discarded evidence
- Make patient notes about the condition of the crime scene based on the systematic
observation and scene assessment
- Establish frame of mind to take control of scene regardless of circumstances of
observed on arrival
- Consider personal safety
2. Preliminary Crime Scene Survey
- The survey is an organizational stage top a planned search
- A cautious walk through of the scene must be accomplished by the Team Leader
- The SOCO Team Leader provides and ensure the focus of the team
- Select appropriate narrative description techniques that should provide answers in
5W’s and 1h.
3. Evaluation pf Physical Evidence
- This evaluation begins upon arrival at scene and becomes detailed in preliminary
survey stage
- Based on preliminary survey, established evidence type most likely to be
encountered
- Ensure that the collection and packaging is sufficient for task at hand.
- Ensure that all personnel are aware of the great variety of possible evidence
- Focus first on the easily accessible areas in open view and progress eventually to
possible out of view locations
- Consider whether the evidence appears to have been moved inadvertently
- Evaluate whether or not the scene and evidence appear intentionally contrived.
4. Narrative Description of the Crime Scene
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- The narrative is a running, general terms description of the condition of the crime
scene
- Photography supplements the narrative description of the crime scene
- Do not permit narrative effort to degenerate into sporadic and unorganized attempt
to recover physical evidence
5. Crime Scene Photography/ Videography
- Begin photographing the crime scene as soon as possible
- Document the photographic effort with the photograph log
- Ensure the progression of overall, medium and close up views of the scene is
established
- Photograph items, places before its collection and packaging
- Photograph items, places, etc. to corroborate the statement of witness, victims and
suspects
- Take photographs from eye level, when feasible, to represent scene as would be
observe by normal view.
- Prior lifting latent fingerprints, photographs should be taken.
6. Sketch of Crime Scene
- The diagram establishes permanent records of items, conditions and distance/size
relationships-diagram supplement photographs
- Number designation on sketch should be coordinated with the same number of
designation on evidence log
- The sketch should contain sufficient measurement and details to be used as a
model for drawn to scale diagram
7. Detailed Crime Scene Search
- Conduct search in a general manner and work with the specifics regarding
evidence items
- Photograph all items before collection and enter notation in photographic log
- Mark evidence locations on diagram/sketch
- Do not handle evidence excessively after recovery
- Seal all evidence containers at the crime scene
8. Physical Evidence Recording and Collection
- Tag and photograph evidence in place before collection
- Methodically record the recovered evidence. Mark evidence (mark item whenever
feasible)
9. Final Crime Scene Survey
- Discuss each search with all personnel for completeness.
- Double-check documentation to detect inadvertent errors.
- Check to ensure all evidence is accounted for before departing the scene.
- Ensure all equipment used in the search is gathered.
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- Make sure possible hiding places or difficult access areas haven not been
overlooked in detailed search.
10. Turn-over/ Released of Crime Scene to Investigator-on-Case
- Ensure that appropriate inventory has been provided.
- Release the crime scene with the notion that there is only one chance to perform
job correctly and completely.
- Release is accomplished only after completion of the final survey and proper
documentation
DUTIES OF THE POLICE INVESTIGATOR-ON CASE
1. Receipt and Briefing and Designation of Command Post
2. Arrest of Suspects
3. Initiation of Preliminary Survey
4. Conduct of Interview
5. Preparation of Narrative Report
6. Release of Crime Scene
DUTIES OF THE SOCO TEAM
1. Documentation of the Crime Scene
2. Crime Scene Sketch
3. Detailed Search
4. Collection of Physical Evidence
5. Conduct of Final Survey
DUTIES OF THE TERRITORIAL UNIT
1. Provide assistance in the evacuation of the injured persons to the nearest hospital
2. Control crowd at crime scene
3. Direct the flow of traffic away from the crime scene so as not to destroy and
contaminate the evidence
4. Provide assistance to the SOCO Team
FIRST RESPONDER PRIORITIES
1. Determine need for medical assistance
2. Confirm or Pronounce Death
3. Conduct a Scene walk trough
4. Take steps to preserve and protect the area
5. Secure and isolate the crime scene using ropes or barricades
6. Exclude all unauthorized personnel from the scene
7. Determine the lead investigator.
THE INVESTIGATION TEAM : ORGANIZATION AND EQUIPMENT
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a. All investigator in all police units must be a graduate of prescribed

investigation course with a rank of at least

(Pre-requisite to assignment)

b. Composition
• Team Leader
• Evidence Collector
• Photographer
• Evidence Custodian
• Composite Illustrator/ Artist
• Crime Scene Technician
• Measurer
• Note taker/ Recorder
c. Equipment of the Investigator:

Police Line, Video Camera, Voice Recorder, Camera, Measuring Device, Gloves,
Flashlights, Fingerprint Kit, Evidence Bag, Evidence Tag, Evidence Bottles and
Investigator tickler; (Investigators checklist, anatomical diagram from, checklist and
turnover receipt.)

DOCUMENTING THE SCENE

Photograph/Video

1. Overall Photos
2. Midrange Photograph
3. Close up Photograph
Digital / Video Photography

SKETCHING THE SCENE

• Rough Sketches
- Shows all recovered items of physical evidence
- Objects are located by distance measurements from two fixed points
- Distance marked must be accurate. All distance are made with a tape measure
- Each item assigned a letter or number
- The sketch shows a compass heading designating north

• Finished Sketches
- Usually prepared with aide of templates
- Usually drawn scale
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- Must contain information contained in the rough sketch

STANDARD METHODS OF RECORD INVESTIGATIVE DATA

A. The Investigator’s Notebook

Due to the number of cases handled by n investigator is, it is very possible
that he might forget some details. Many of the details associated with the investigation
while not essential to the report, might become points of interest to the court when the
case is brought to trial. Thus, it is necessary to employ a notebook to record the
relevant details of the case. During trial, the court allows investigators to consult their
notes to refresh their memory.

The data of the investigation should be recorded in a complete, accurate

and legible fashion so that in the event another investigator is required to assume
responsibility for the investigation, he can make intelligent use of notebook.

B. Crime Scene Photography

The main objective is to create visual record of the crime scene before any
item is moved as possible physical evidence.

Take photograph of the Crime Scene, WITHOUT AND WITH MARKERS.

THE GUIDELINES FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CRIME SCENE

1. Photographs of the crime scene should be taken as soon as possible, before

note taking, sketching or a search for evidence begins.
2. The picture should illustrate the original, uncontaminated condition of the crime
scene.
3. Photographs should be taken off the crime scene only, without spectators or
police personnel.
4. The photographs must form an organized sequence and show all relevant
locations and objects.
5. The crime scene photographs must progress from general to specific
PROCEDURE IN PHOTOGRAPHING THE CRIME SCENE

1. General View or Long-range- general view or long-range photographs of the

overall scene fundamentally are taken to portray the areas as if a person viewing
the scene is seeing it from standing position. To obtain this result, the
photographer takes the photograph with the camera at eye level. It is done in
overlapping method.
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2. Medium view or mid-range – medium view or mid- range photographs are

taken in a mirror which portrays the scene from approximately ten to twenty feet
of distance from the subject. In order that the viewer be permitted to associate
the crime scene with separate areas of the scene photographed, these areas
should contain sufficient details to permit the viewer association.
3. Close –up Range View- close-up range photographs are normally taken
approximately five feet or less from the subject. The attention of close-up
photography is directed to object which could be effectively seen in the long-
range and mid range photographs.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S NOTE

Notes are valuable not only as an aid to an accurate recall of events to be

testified to in court, but also to furnish the raw material needed in the written formal
report of the case.

A different
notebook/photo log should be
used for each separate case and
it should be kept permanently in
a safe place.Photo Log:

▪ Name of the photographer

▪ Name of the logger
▪ Case number
▪ Date of incident
▪ Date photos were taken
▪ Type of Investigation
▪ Time photo taken
▪ Location of photo
Photo Log: Individual Photos

• Date and time of exposure

• Roll number
• Exposure number
• Camera settings (lens, f/stop, shutter speed)
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• Distance b/n camera and suspect

• Type of photograph taken (close up, mid-range)
• Brief description of photo
• Use of tripod or flash (with setting)
THE CRIME SCENE SKETCH

The sketch is useful in questioning the suspects and witnesses as well as

in the writing of investigation report.

Sketches are prepared to indicate exact location of objects and its

relationship to each other and other objects at the crime scene. It is useful in questioning
of suspects and witnesses as well as in the writing of investigative reports.

Sketches are excellent companions to photograph. Where photographs

provide exact details, sketches offer accurate information about the placement of objects
and they show relationship and distances between things.

The Elements Sketch

1. Measurement
2. Compass Direction
3. Essential Elements
4. Scale & Proportion
5. Legend
6. Title
SPECIFIC KINDS OF SKETCH

Location or Neighborhood sketch

It is used to document important items within a large scene involving a large tract
of land and/or many buildings. The sketch can show the location of evidence and its
relationship to the overall scene, the relationship of each building to one another, the
location of major vegetation, fences street signs, path of egress used by the suspects,
the location of witnesses in relation to the scene. Its up to the discretion of investigator
what should be included or excluded in the sketch.
Floor plan or bird’s eye view sketch
Is the simplest and most common one used in diagramming crime scenes. It may
be used in nearly all crime scene situation where the items of interest are located in one
plane. It is also the easiest for lay people such jury members/judges to comprehend.
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Elevation sketch
The elevation sketch depicts a side, front, or rear of the exterior of a structure or
one of the interior walls in a room used when the vertical, rather than horizontal plane is
of interest. Thus, if bloodstains were present on a wall of the house, the elevation drawing
of the wall would be used to depict this scene.

TYPE OF MEASUREMENTS

Triangulation Method

An object is located by drawing two

straight lines from two fixed points creating a
triangle; the object is in angle formed by the
line. The triangulation method is useful in an
outdoor situation where there are no easily
identified edges of roads or field to use as
reference points. Measurement follows the
shape of a triangle.

Coordinate/ Angular method

This method uses two walls in a room as

fixed points, from which distances are measured
at right angles. The baseline could be a wall, or
drawn as a mathematical center of a room.

Base line
method

A straight line is established from one fixed

point to another fixed point. Using one end of the
line as a starting point, an object can be located
by measuring along either side of the baseline at
a right angle to the object.
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Compass point method

A protractor is used to measure the angle
between two lines. One point along a wall is
selected as the origin. An axis line drawn from
the origin is the line from which the angle is
measured.

Grid method

Starting at a known permanent reference point

at the scene, a measurement of predetermined
increments is marked off horizontally and
vertically. On each horizontal and vertical
increment, a line or string is laid so that the
scene resembles many small squares. When a
piece of evidence is found, it is recorded to the
nearest increment from the reference point. A
measurement from the increment to the
evidence is taken horizontally and vertically.

MAIN TYPE OF CRIME SCENE SKETCH

Rough Sketch

A rough sketch is drawn free-hand by

the sketcher at the crime scene. Changes
should not be made to it after the sketcher
has left the scene. This sketch will not
normally be drawn to scale, but will indicate
accurate distances, dimensions, and relative
proportions.
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Smooth/ Finish Sketch

A smooth or finish sketch is one that is

finished and is frequently drawn to scale
from the information provided in the rough
sketch. If a sketch is drawn to scale, the
numbers concerning the distances can be
eliminated. However, if the sketch is not
drawn to scale, the distances need to be
shown.

Things to consider in preparing a crime scene rough sketch

▪ Must present the exact measurement & info about the placement of objects.
▪ Must be oriented to the north or show the direction of the north.
▪ Must indicate an accurate measurement of objects and location of physical
evidence.
▪ Must use the one of the commonly known type of measurement either English or
American.
▪ Must always use fixed point or object as reference point.
▪ Must indicate the tag or evidence designated number on the sketch.
▪ Must contains the following information; case number, crime committed, time and
date it was prepared, location of the crime scene, rank and name of investigator,
name of victim, rank, name and signature of sketcher, name and signature of
witnesses.
▪ The finish sketch will be prepared at the office for court presentation.
▪ Use the universally recommended symbols.

TWO TYPES OF CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION

1. Physical Reconstruction – appearance of the crime scene is reconstructed from
the description of the witnesses and indication of physical evidence.
2. Mental Reconstruction – crime scene is reconstructed based on consistency of
the accounts of various witnesses. No assumption should b made concerning
actions which are not supported by pieces of evidence.

SEARCHING THE SCENE

Conducting the search for evidence is the responsibility of the investigator. A through
search is imperative and no important evidence should be overlooked.

Types of Searches
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1. Zone Search (Quadrant Search): a small

area or room is searched. Its used in
homicides, rape, drug and bomb
searches. It requires that area should be
divided into two quadrants, each of which
is then examined using of the
methods previously described. Where
the area to be searched is particularly large,
a variation of the zone method would be
subdividing the small quadrants into
smaller quadrants.
2. Ever Widening Circle (Spiral Method):
The searcher starts in the middle of the ring and
continues in ever widening circle until the whole
area is searched. This is used when only one
person is available to search. It is usually
employed in outdoor scenes and is normally
executed by a single person. It involves the
searcher’s walking in slightly ever-decreasing;
less-than-concentric circles form the outermost
boundary determination towards a central point
and vice-versa.
3. Straight Line Search: Used outdoors for

body dump search and after mass

disaster. A large number of people will
stand, shoulder to shoulder, and walk
across the area in a straight line.

4. Strip Search: Used for when only a small

number of people are available to cover a large
outdoor area. With this search, the searchers will
walk straight and then turn at right angles across
the area to be covered. Down across, up, across
down, across, up
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5. Grid Search (Double Strip Search):

This type covers a large area. The area
is divided into a grid and a search is
made of each grid. A second
search will then be perpendicular to
the first search. The researcher
performs first the strip method, and
after which turns and proceed back
along new lanes but parallel to the
first movement. This method
offers the advantage of being more
methodological and through; examined from two different viewpoints, the area is
more likely to yield evidence that might have been overlooked.
6. Pie Method ( Wheel Search ) The searchers gather at the center and proceed
outward along radii or spoke. The principal drawback of this method is that the
distance between the researchers increases as they depart from the center.

PURPOSE OF THE CRIME SCENE SEARCH

1. To reconstruct what really happened.

2. To identify the perpetrators.
3. To gather additional evidence.
4. To determine the modus operandi of the perpetrators.
5. To destroy the alibis of the suspects.
6. To determine the corpus delicti of the fact that the crime has been committed.
BASIC CONSIDERATION IN COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE

1. Photograph the evidence

2. Use appropriate tools or materials
3. Collect sufficient amount of samples
4. Provide the appropriate standards for comparisons
5. Place initials, the data and time of discovery on each item of evidence.
6. Items that could not be marked should be placed in a suitable container and
sealed.
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7. Give particular attention to fragile evidence.

8. If in doubt of an item treat it as an evidence until proven otherwise.
9. Ensure that the item or area where latent fingerprints may be present is closely
examined and that action is taken to develop the prints.
COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE

• Blood, semen, saliva, sweat

• Hair
• Documents
• Fingerprints
• Glass
• Paint
• Powder Residues
• Plastic and Rubber Items
• Tool marks
• Wood and Metal Objects
• Impressions

PACKAGING OF EVIDENCE

A primary rule of packaging evidence is that whenever possible, the items should be sent
to the crime lab intact. Rather than remove evidence from the object, its preferable that
the entire object be sent to the laboratory. If swab is used, the swab must be air dried
before packaging.

Folded papers, labeled envelopes and paper bags are often supplied and are useful for
packaging evidence such as hair, blood, and other body fluids, and debris. Ordinary
manila envelopes should not be used, since tiny particles can leak out. Each distinct item
must be packaged in separate paper bags to avoid cross contamination.

Wet evidence must be air dried first. Any wet evidence can grow mold which can cause
the evidence to deteriorate. Once dried, the evidence can be sealed and marked
accordingly. All item clothing must be air dried then placed in screw top vials, plastic pill
bottles, cardboard boxes, and metal paint cans. Some examples as given below.

• Arson material- metal paint can

• Blood, Semen, and Saliva (dried)- paper bags
• Blood (liquid) glass vial
• Clothing- paper bag
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• Fingernail scrapings- envelope, then paper bag

• Bullets- cardboard box
• Fibers- envelope, then paper bag
• Drugs – plastic bag
• Paint- metal box
• Soil- paper bag
Physical evidence refers to any item that comes from a nonliving origin, while biological
evidence always originates from a living being.

The most important kinds of physical evidence are fingerprints, tire marks, footprints,
fibers, paint, and building materials.

Biological evidence includes blood stains and DNA.

Locard’s Exchange Principle dictates that evidence, both physical and biological, is to
be found to the scene, is to be found at the scene of a crime because the perpetrator
always leaves something behind by having contact with the victims and the objects there.
Similarly, he will always take something away with them, which can be found on a search
of their person, their garment, a vehicle, or their premises.

Impression Marks are another important kind of physical evidence. When an item like a
shoe or tire comes into contact with a soft surface, it leaves behind a pattern showing
some or all of its surface characteristics, known as the impressions.

Chain of Custody- the transfer of evidences custody from the moment it was collected
on the crime scene until the evidence is about to presented on court.