Specialized Crime Investigation 2 120-132

with Simulation on Interrogation and Interview (CDI 3)

08:00AM to 10:00AM every Saturday

Week 6 – General Principle of Investigation

PSMS Eman M Mantala, MPA, MSCJ

IIS-OMD/ PNPA
 Criminal Investigation
This is a legal inquiry by virtue of a complaint to
follow-up, examine, trace, track and search, step by step, by
patient and meticulous observation, the fact of the
commission of a crime, the identity of the actors, and the
circumstances attendant thereto, by careful evaluation of all
available evidences to the end that violators of law be
brought to the bar of justice, and the innocent be relieved
therefrom.
 The Anatomy of Crime

OP
T

PO
MEN

RT
RU

UN
ST

IT
IN

Y
MOTIVE
1) The Motive refers to the reason or cause why a
person or group of persons will perpetrate a crime.

2) The Instrumentality is the means or implement

used in the commission of the crime.

3) The Opportunity consists of the acts of omission

and/or commission by a person (the victim) which
enables another person or group of persons (the
criminal/s) to perpetrate the crime.
 Protocol of Investigation
1. Jurisdictional investigation by the territorial unit
2. Official Police Blotter
3. Investigating Team
4. Duties of the First Responder
5. Duties and responsibilities of the investigating team/investigator
6. Investigation of suspect
7. Taking of Statements of Suspects, Victim and Witness
8. Preparation of Reports and filling of Charges
9. Procedures in the release of Crime scene
10. Follow up
11. Preparation of case Investigation Plan (CIPLAN)
12. Court Duties
13. Uniform of the investigator
 122-123

1. Criminal Investigator
2. Diligence of good father of family
3. Organized Criminal Group
4. Parole evidence
 123
Secure and Protect Scene

1. Take control of scene on arrival.

2. Determine extent to which scene has thus far been protected.
3. Ensure adequate scene security.
4. Obtain information from personnel who have entered scene
and have knowledge relative to its original conditions —
document who has been at scene.
5. Take extensive notes — do not rely on memory.
6. Keep out unauthorized personnel — begin recording who
enters and leaves.
 125

Documentation of the Crime Scene

The photographer begins taking photographs as soon
as possible. The evidence collectors do not touch or move
any evidence once it is located until it has been identified,
marked, measured, sketched and photographed.
 125
Crime Scene Photography

Main Objective
To create an accurate objective visual record of the crime
scene before any item is moved or removed as possible
physical evidence.
 125

Guidelines for taking photographs of a Crime Scene

1) Photographs of a crime scene should be taken as soon as

possible, before note taking, sketching or a search for
evidence begins.
2) The pictures should illustrate the original, uncontaminated
condition of the crime scene.
3) Photographs should be taken of the crime scene only, without
spectators or police personnel.
4) To adequately present the crime scene initially, 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.
 125

3 Major Types of Pictorial Views

1. Long-Range Photographs of the over-all scene.

Distance from the doorway to the room and other corners

2. Mid-Range Photograph – 8 or 10 ft. from the victim.

3. Close-up Photograph
 126

Crime Scene Search

The search for physical evidence is done using the
accepted methods of search depending upon the actual
location to be searched.

A crime scene search could only be started after it

has been photographed and sketched.
 126

Objectives of a Crime Scene Search

To systematically look for physical evidence that may prove
useful in establishing that a crime has been committed.

To determine what method of operation the perpetrator

may have used.
 126

Different Methods of Search

a) Strip or Line Search
b) Grid or Double Strip Search
c) Spiral Search
d) Quadrant
e) Wheel/Pie Search
 126
a) Strip Search or Line
Search
A pattern used to search relatively large areas at
crime scenes. In a line search, a square area is divided
into parallel strips or lanes with one searcher per lane.
The searchers slowly walk a roughly straight line
through the middle of the lane and visually cover the full
width of their lane. In a strip search, one person walks
the lanes, starting for example with the lane to the far
left, searching it, then turning around and moving into
the next lane and repeating the process
 126
b) Grid or Double Strip Search

It is just like the strip method; the only difference is

that two strips are considered to form a grid. Again, only
two people can do the searching walking through on
separate strips and then will switch their strips for the
more accuracy.
 126

c) Spiral Search
A pattern used for searching areas at
crime scenes. The spiral can begin at a
specific point and spiral outward or start
on a perimeter and spiral inward. The
width of the spirals depends on the
circumstances but should be narrow
enough to ensure complete visual coverage
 126

d) Quadrant
The Zone or Quadrant search is a method in which the
crime scene is divided into smaller sections and team
members are assigned to search each section.
A search method in which the crime scene is divided into
smaller sections (zones or quadrants) and team members
are assigned to search each section. Each of these sections
can be subdivided into smaller sections for smaller teams
to search thoroughly.
 126

e) Wheel/Pie Search
A search method employed by several people
moving from the boundary straight toward the
center of the scene (inward) or from the center
straight to the boundary (outward).
In a pie/wheel search, the crime scene is divided
into a large circle with numerous sectors, and
searched using another method, such as a strip/line
search. Practically speaking, a strip/line or grid
search is used most often (Swanson, Chamelin, and
Territo 2003).
 126

What is the purpose of a crime scene search?

1. Develop the facts of the crime

2. Identify collect and preserve evidence
3. Identify the victim/criminal
 126

Sequence of conducting a crime scene search

1. Survey the scene

2. Record the scene (take notes)
3. Locate and Document all physical evidence
4. Search patterns
 126

Crime Scene Search - a planned and coordinated legal

search of a crime scene to locate physical evidence relevant
to the investigation.
 Crime Scene Processing
Crime Scene search
1. Processing and Securing a Crime Scene
2. Protecting the Crime Scene
3. Laboratory Examination of the collected
physical evidence (Instrumentation)
 127

Standard Method of recording Investigative Data

1. Photograph
2. Sketching
3. Note taking
4. Lifting and Developing Finger Prints/ Latent Prints
5. Collection of Physical Evidence
6. Plaster cast
7. Tape and video recording
8. Statements Taking
 127

Evidence Collection
The type of evidence officers look for will typically be
determined by the circumstances surrounding the crime.
Physical evidence may be visible and easily identified in some
cases, and in other cases evidence may be invisible and only
detected using advanced technologies.
While evidence is typically searched for at a crime scene,
evidence may also be found in other places, such as on a
suspect or victim, or at a morgue or laboratory. Therefore, it is
extremely important to examine less obvious places and/or
items that might contain potential evidence, such as a vehicle
or a victim’s clothing (Saferstein 2004)
 127

Physical evidence - may be collected so that it is not

altered from the time it is removed from the scene or other
receptacle, until it is transferred to the crime laboratory.
However, changes in the state of the evidence may occur
due to contamination, breakage, evaporation, scratching,
bending, or improper packaging. Also critical to the
evidence collection process is the proper packaging of
evidence, which means that each item must be collected
and placed in a separate container to prevent damage and
maintain the integrity of the evidence (Saferstein 2004).
 127

Although digital evidence is a form of physical evidence

and is commonplace in many crime scenes today, the
identification and collection of digital evidence presents
unique challenges for law enforcement. Digital evidence, or
electronic evidence, is ”any data stored or transmitted
using a computer that support or refute a theory of how an
offense occurred or that address critical elements of the
offense such as intent or alibi” (adapted from Chisum
1999, as cited in Casey 2004). Digital data is the binary
numerical representation of information such as text,
images, audio, or video. Digital evidence is typically the
product of crimes such as fraud, child pornography, and
computer intrusions.
 127

Following identification and collection, evidence is

submitted to a crime laboratory for analysis. Transferring
of the evidence may take place by personnel delivering the
evidence themselves or, in some cases, transferring may
occur by mail or other means of shipment. Regardless of
the method of transferring the evidence to the crime
laboratory, the chain of custody must be maintained
throughout the process
 127

Crime scene searches and evidence collection

constitute a vital part of the duties of law enforcement.
Strict adherence to policy and procedure, as well as
thoughtfulness and common sense, contribute significantly
to not only a successful prosecution, but also to the
effectiveness and efficiency of police operations.
 127

Conduct Final Survey

1. This survey is a critical review of all aspects of the search.

2. Discuss the search jointly with all personnel for completeness.
3. Double check documentation to detect inadvertent errors.
4. Check to ensure all evidence is accounted for before departing scene.
5. Ensure all equipment used in the search is gathered.
6. Make sure possible hiding places of difficult access areas have not
been overlooked in detailed search.
7. Critical issues: have you gone far enough in the search for evidence,
documented all essential things, and made no assumptions which
may prove to be incorrect in the future?
 127

Release Crime Scene

1. Release is accomplished only after completion of the final survey.
2. At minimum, documentation should be made of :

a) Time and date of release

b) To whom released
c) By whom released

3. Ensure that appropriate inventory has been provided as necessary, considering legal
requirements, to person to whom scene is released .
4. Once the scene has been formally released, reentry may require a warrant.
5. Only the person-in-charge should have the authority to release the scene. This
precept should be known and adhered to by all personnel.
6. Consider the need to have certain specialists serve the scene before it is released
(e.g., blood pattern analysts, medical examiner).
What are the stages in the conduct of investigation?

1. Investigative tasks relate to identifying physical

evidence,
2. Gathering information,
3. Evidence collection,
4. Evidence protection,
5. Witness interviewing, and
6. Suspect interviewing and interrogation.
1. Special Crime Investigation 2 ( Barreda, 2021)
2. Revised Penal Code (Reyes)
3. https://bit.ly/3p4gqZI
4. https://bit.ly/3rqf66v
5. And others