Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation
Methodologies and modern techniques in crime scene investigation processing and preserving physical
evidence.
CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
It is the conduct of processes, more particularly, the recognition, handling, preservation and documentation of
physical evidence to include the identification and interview of witnesses and the arrest of suspect/s at the crime scene.
Team Leader
Evidence Collectors
City or Municipal/Health Officer
Crime Photographer
Sketcher/Measurer
Evidence Custodian/Security Officer
Security and Protection of the crime Scene
First Responder
Must be able to properly preserve the crime scene in order to get maximum scientific information that will help in the
successful prosecution of the perpetrator of the crime.
Cordon off crime scene with whatever available materials like ropes, straws, human barricade, police line;
Evacuate injured persons to the nearest hospital;
Prepare to take the dying declaration of severely injured person, if any;
Prevent entry/exit of persons within the cordoned area; and
Prepare to brief the CSI Team Leader of the situation upon their arrival.
Police line
Marker
Camera with film
Evidence collection kit
Video camera and tape recorder
Measuring device e.g. ruler and measuring tape
Flood lights, hand gloves, masks, eye goggles, hairnet
Recording materials e.g. chalk, bond paper, pencil, clipboard, pentel pens
Removable inferences about what happened are produced from the crime scene appearance and information from
what happened. These theories will give the crime investigator to document specific conditions and recognize valuable
physical evidence.
Documentation of the Crime Scene
The photographer begins taking photographs as soon as possible. The evidence collectors do not touch or moved
any evidence once it is located until it has been identified, measured and recorded.
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.
Guidelines for taking photographs of a Crime Scene
Photographs of a crime scene should be taken as soon as possible, before note taking, sketching or a search for
evidence begins.
The pictures should illustrate the original, uncontaminated condition of the crime scene.
Photographs should be taken of the crime scene only, without spectators or police personnel.
To adequately present the crime scene initially, the photographs must form an organized sequence and show all
relevant locations and objects.
The crime scene photographs must progress from general to specific.
Measurement
Compass direction
Essential items
Scale and proportion
Legend
Title
Locality- give picture of the scene, the crime and its environs, including neighboring buildings, roads etc.
Ground- picture of the scene of the crime with its nearest physical surrounding.
Details- the immediate scene only
Exploded/ cross projection- gives the clear impression of the scene in cases where blood stains or bullet holes
are found
Types of Measurements
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Note taking must be a constant activity throughout the processing of the crime scene.
Notes must include:
Detailed written description of the Crime Scene with locations of physical evidence received
The time when the physical evidence was discovered
The person who discovered and collected physical evidence
How the evidence was packaged and marked
The disposition of the item when it was collected
Documentation
These documentation are made by the crime scene investigator for purposes of future crime scene reconstruction
which help the prosecutor and the judge understand conditions at the crime scene.
Narrative Report
Represent scene in a general to specific scheme, consider structured factors such as: lights on/off, newspaper on
driveway/in house, drapes pulled, open or shut. This written record could serve as the only source of info for refreshing
ones memory month or years after a crime has been processed.
Preparation of Narrative Report
The team leader uses the systematic approach in making a narrative report.
1.
2.
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.
Different Search Methods
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Strip- the searchers will proceed at the same pace along the path parallel to one side of the rectangle.
Spiral- the searchers will follow each other in the path of a spiral, beginning in the outside and spiraling towards
the center. Clockwise/ counter clockwise.
Zone- the area to be searched is divide into four quadrants and each searcher is assigned to one quadrant.
Wheel- for area to be searched approximately circular or oval
Point to point- searcher will stand in a straight line and move forward together.
The Search
Before the actual search is done, the investigator must stand aside and make an estimate of the situation. A
certain area where there are no possible traces of the crime may ne made as the headquarters. Having formed the
estimate, the investigator can now determine the number, kind and views of the photographs he wishes to be taken.
A plan for the search should be formed which will cover all the grounds. Every step of an investigation must be
undertaken with the thought of ultimate presentation in court. Notes and measurements must supplement the sketches
and photographs.
The basic guides for the investigator to look upon are evidences to establish one or more of the following:
10. Explain briefly the four (4) mechanics of search: illustrate each.
If the area to be searched is limited indoors with fewer contents or any other situation which will preclude a systematic
search, no standard procedure of search is recommended. Any method of choice will do, provided that alertness,
knowledge and experience of the participating investigators are present.
If the area to be search is quite extensive, a more systematic scheme of approach is recommended. The following
are the different methods of search:
1. Strip Method
The searchers (A, B, & C) proceed slowly at the same pace along the path parallel to one side of the
rectangle. T the end of the rectangle, the searcher turns and proceeds back along new lanes but parallel to
the first movement.
2.Spiral method
The searchers follow each other in the path of a spiral, beginning in the outside and spiraling in towards the
center. (Fig.3)
3.Zone Method
The area to be searched is divided into quadrants and each searcher is assigned to one quadrant. (Fig. 4)
4.Wheel Method
If the area to be searched is approximately circular or oval, the wheel method may be used. The searchers gather
at the center and proceed outward along radio or spokes. (Fig. 5)
The principal drawback of this method is that the distance between searchers increases as they depart from the
center.
The investigator must see to it that the search made with the employment of any of the above methods must be
thorough.
The discovery of any physical evidence in the course of the search must be collected and preserved without
specific regard of their relation to the crime.
Basically, a searcher must primarily concentrate on the following types of evidence.
1. Those which establish the element of proof that the crime was committed;
2. Those which may serve to trace the criminal.
TOOLS OF INVESTIGATION
INFORMATION
INTERROGATION
Interrogation is a questioning of a person suspected if having committed an offense or a person who is reluctant
to make full disclosure of information in his possession which is pertinent to the investigation.
What are the purposes of Interrogation?
a. To obtain confession to the crime
b. To induce the suspect to make admission
c. To learn the facts of the crime
d. To learn the identity of the accomplice
e. To develop information which will lead to the recovery of the fruits of the crime
f.
To discover the details of other crimes participated by the suspect
What should be the attitude of the interrogator?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Privacy can be achieved by having one door, absence of windows, soundproof wall, and telephone without
ringing bell.
Simplicity- medium size room, bare walls, no glaring lights, minimum furniture.
Seating arrangement- straight back chair for the suspect, table with flat surface, the back of the suspect must
be facing the door.
Technical aid- installation of recording device and one- way mirror.
Mutt, the relentless investigator, who is not going to waste any time because he knows the subject is guilty.
Jeff, on the other hand, is obviously a kind-hearted man.
Confessionit is the declaration of an accused expressing/acknowledging his guilt of the offense charged.
Effects of confession:
a) May be given in evidence against him in the investigation or trial of the offense with which he is
charged; and
b) May be given to prove the guilt of his companions but it will pass a lot of argumentation and debate.
Types of Confession
Judicial Confession
Made by the suspect/ accused in open court
Extra- Judicial Confession
This kind of confession is inadmissible unless corroborated by proof of corpus delicti. The confession to be
admissible, it must be voluntary, in writing and made with the assistance of a counsel of his own choice with full
understanding of the consequence of such confession.( get separate for separate crimes).
Admission
An admission is a self-incriminatory statement by the subject falling short of an acknowledgement of guilt. It is an
acknowledgement of a fact or circumstances from which guilt maybe inferred. It implicates but does not incriminate. It is
also an acknowledgment that a fact, action or circumstances are true which strongly infer or directly admit guilt but lacks
the detail of the elements of the crime.
What are the two kinds of criminals?
a.
b.
Known fugitive
Unknown fugitive
Verbal Description
Photographic files (Rogues Gallery)
General Photograph
Artist sketch (Composite Criminal illustration)
Physical line- up- means of selecting a suspect from a group of innocent persons usually composed of seven
to ten persons. The purpose of line- up is to eliminate the power of suggestion.
Physical show- up- only one person is shown to the witness usually at the scene of the crime and made
immediately after the arrest of the suspect.
Vanity
Civic-mindedness
Fear
Repentance
Avoidance of punishment
Competition
Revenge
Jealousy
Remuneration
Surveillance- it is the secret observation of places, persons, and vehicles for the purpose of obtaining information
concerning the identities or activities of the subject.
a.
b.
c.
Shadowing- the act of following a person. depends on the number of surveillants available, volume of pedestrian
traffic and importance of concealing the surveillance.
Methods of shadowing
b.
c.
d.
e.
One man- Extremely difficult and should be avoided, if unavoidable keep subject in view at all times.
Two man- two agents are employed to follow the subject.
ABC method- reduces the risk of losing the subject, affords greater security agents detection
Progressive/ Leap frog method- poor chances of obtaining good results, agents are stations at a fixed point
assuming that subject followed the same general route each day.
f.
Combined foot- auto surveillance- employment of surveillant on foot and agents in an automobile.
What are the things should be avoided during shadowing?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
jumping off a bus, trains just as the doors are about to close.
Leaving a building through the rear or side exits.
Losing one self in crowds
Entering theaters and leaving immediately through an exit
Pointing out one surveillant to a police to a generally require the agent to explain his action
Using decoys
Taking the last taxi at a stand
Changing clothing.
Automobile surveillance
The methods of auto surveillance to be used depends upon the numbers and type of surveillance vehicles
available, the volume of vehicular traffic in the area, the importance of concealing the surveillance from the subject, and
the subjects estimated ability to detect and elude surveillance. At all times each vehicle should be occupied by at least
two agents; one to concentrate on driving, and the other to observe, take notes, operate radio equipment, or to dismount
and continue the surveillance on foot.
How to detect automobile surveillance
Undercover- is a form of investigation in which the investigator assumes a different and unofficial identity in order to
obtain information.
Consider using an undercover operation only when conventional investigative techniques have not been effective
or are not practical. Use of police personnel, as undercover agent is an ethical approach to the problem of securing
information about criminal operations from the inside. It is surveillance from a position of advantage. It is dangerous
work, but often preferable to using an underworld informant- probably the only other source of such information.
Undercover agents make excellent witnesses, unlike the underworld informants whose credibility can be attacked
because of crime histories, the police agent is a person of good reputation and character.
Definitions
a. Undercover- an investigative technique in which the Agents/Investigators official identity is concealed to
accomplish an investigative mission.
b. Natural Cover- using the individuals true identity, occupation or profession.
c. Artificial Cover- the manufacture of documents, false documents, passports, or forged documents.
What are the common types of places of assignment for undercover work?
a. Neighborhood
b. Social
c. Organizational
d. Work
Penetration:
a. undercover operation techniques are applied continuously and not merely over a limited period of time.
b. Initial penetration is concealed.
c. Access is created such that the agent is accepted in to the target group or organization.
d. Effort is continued by the agent until he acquires the desires placement or position, thus gaining complete
access to the objective of the investigative effort.
e. Penetration is exceedingly difficult, time consuming and most delicate form of investigative activity, but often
the most rewarding.
Special Qualification of Undercover Agent:
a. Thorough knowledge of the area, the people and customs were agent will operate.
b. Preferably single and unmarried
c. Thorough knowledge of the language or dialect spoken in the area of operation.
Operational Security Guidelines on Undercover Assignments.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Concepts, general and legal principles in affecting arrest, searches and seizures;
ARREST
SECTION 1. Define arrest Arrest is the taking of a person into custody in order that he may be bound to
answer for the commission of an offense.
SECTION 2. Arrest; how made An arrest is made by an actual restraint of the person to be arrested, or by his
submission to the custody of the person making the arrest.
No violence or unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest and the person arrested shall not be subject
to any greater restrain than is necessary for his detention.
What constitutes restrain?
Under Section 2 above mentioned, the custody or control, the assumption of which is involved in an arrest,
imports actual restraint or detention. Accordingly, the mere utterances or words indicative of an arrest, or mere verbal
proffer of the warrant or personal service thereof is insufficient, except when followed by a submission.
Who are those persons exempted from arrest?
The following are persons exempted from arrest:
1)
Members of the Senate and Congress. They shall be privileged from arrest during their
attendance a the session of the Congress or Senate and in going to and returning from the same for offenses
punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, and
2)
Under the principles of International Law also exempt are foreign sovereigns,
ambassadors, ministers and persons belonging to their official entourage.
When may the use of force be justified?
The employment of unnecessary or unreasonable force or greater restraint than what is needed for the detention
of the person arrested is prohibited. Person authorized to make arrest may, however, employ force or violence to the
extent of effectively overcoming active resistance to an arrest. And, it is not necessary that the person arrested make an
actual attack upon his captor. His refusal to obey and surrender, or an attempt to escape suffices the justification for the
employment of force. (U.S. vs. Bertucio, 1 Phil. 47)
SECTION 3. Duty of arresting officer It shall be the duty of the officer executing the warrant without
unnecessary delay to arrest the accused and to deliver him to the nearest police station or jail.
What is essential to make a warrant of arrest valid.
For a warrant of arrest to be valid, it is essential that the person to be arrested is identified by the terms of the
warrant. If ever possible, the name and description of the person to be served with a warrant of arrest must be inserted in
it. Where the name is unknown, the warrant must contain a description as will enable the officer to identify the person to
be served. (People vs. Veloso, 48 Phil. 169) If it does not contain the name of the defendant or any description of
designation by which he could be known and identified as the person sought, it is void.
What is John Doe warrant? And what is necessary to make a sufficient warrant?
When, in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing, or is attempting
to commit an offense;
b)
When an offense has in fact just been committed, and he has personal knowledge of facts indicating
that the person to be arrested has committed it; and
c)
When the person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal establishment or place
where he is serving final judgment or temporarily confined while his case is pending; or has escaped while
being transferred from one confinement to another.
In cases falling under paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof, the person arrested without a warrant shall be forth
with delivered to the nearest police station or jail, and he shall be proceeded against in accordance with Rule
112, Section 7.
What must be necessary in all cases wherein the law authorizes a peace officer to arrest without warrant?
In all the cases enumerated wherein the law authorizes a peace officer to arrest without warrant, the officer
making the arrest must have personal knowledge that the person being arrested has committed, is actually committing, or
is about to commit an offenses in his presence or within his view, or of the time, place or circumstances which reasonably
tend to show such breach of peace.
The testimony of the officer on the commission of the offense in his presence, or within his view by the person
arrested, or on the facts and circumstances that tended reasonably to show that said person had committed or was about
to commit an offense, would be sufficient basis for the City Fiscal to file an information without prejudice to his presenting
the other evidence and witnesses, if any, at the trial to insure the conviction of the defendant. (Sayo vs. Chief of Police, 80
Phil. 875)
What is the meaning of the phrase commission of offense in the presence of a peace officer or a private
person?
An offense is committed in the presence or within the view of an officer within the meaning of the rule authorizing
an arrest without warrant when the officer sees the offense, although at a distance, or hears the disturbance created
thereby and proceeds at once to the scene thereof; or the offense is continuing, or has not been consummated, at the
time the arrest is made. (U.S. vs. Samonte, 16 Phil. 516)
What is the basis for its legality of an arrest without warrant?
In the case of U.S. vs. Sanchez, 12 Phil. 472, our Supreme Court held that the legality of the detention does not
depend upon the facts of the crime, but upon the nature of the deed, wherefrom such characterization may reasonably be
inferred by the officer of functionary to whom the law at that moment leaves the decision for the urgent purpose of
suspending the liberty of the citizen. Good faith, therefore, absolves arresting officer from liability if he arrest without
warrant upon reasonable grounds. (U.S. vs. Santos, 36 Phil. 442)
An officer has authority to break open the outer or other doors of a dwelling house of the person
whose arrest is directed by the writ, and enter and search the dwelling to arrest the offender, woven though it
is during the nighttime. This right to break the outer doors to make an arrest includes, of course, the right to
break open doors of different rooms and chambers in the house to make a thorough search of the premises.
From this point if follows that an officer who has a warrant for the arrest of a person in a house and who upon
being refused admittance breaks the door, cannot be considered as a trespasser even though, upon search,
the defendant named in the process is not found or shown to be in the dwelling at the time. It is not
necessary that the house the officer may have broke into, be the property of the defendant; it is sufficient if it
is a house in which, for the time being, he is dwelling in.
2)
Arrest after escape or rescue without warrant From the duty of an officer to hold his prisoner in his
custody flows the right to pursue those who illegally make their escape and while on fresh pursuit he may
arrest them without warrant, and may make search without a warrant of any premises in which he has
reasonable ground to believe the prisoner is hiding for that purpose he may, after due demand for admission
and refusal, force an entry into the building or premises to be searched.
Does a private person in making arrest, posses the right to break into a building?
A private person may justify breaking into and entering anothers dwelling house if such breaking is necessary for
the purpose of making an arrest for a felony or to prevent the commission of a felony.
When may notice of purpose and demand for admission necessary? Give exception, if any.
It is a rule that an officer or a private person, before breaking into and entering the house of another to arrest a
person, under a warrant of arrest or order of arrest or for a crime or breach of the peace where a warrant is not necessary,
should make known his purposes and demand admittance. One exception is, if a person fortifies himself in his home with
the avowed intention of defying an arrest to the extent of shedding blood, notice of purpose and demand for admission is
not necessary.
SEC. 12. Right to break out of building or enclosure to effect release Whenever an officer has entered the
building or enclosure in accordance with the provisions of the preceding section, he may break out therefrom when
necessary for the purpose of liberating himself.
SEC. 13. Arrest after escape or rescue If a person lawfully arrested escapes or is rescued, any person may
immediately pursue or retake him without a warrant at any time and in any place within the Philippines.
SEC. 14. Right of attorney or relative to visit person arrested any member of the bar shall, at the request
of the person arrested or of another acting in his behalf, have the right to visit and confer privately with such person, in the
jail or any other place of custody at any hour of the day or, in urgent cases, of the night. This right shall also be exercised
by any relative of the person arrested subject to reasonable regulation.
SEARCHES AND SEIZURES
Article III, Sec. 1, No. 3 Bill of Rights,
PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
The right of the people to be secured in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable
searches and seizures shall not be violated and the warrant shall be issued upon probable causes to be determined by
2.
Define Seizure.
Seizure is the taking into custody of property found by searching.
3.
4.
a.
Preliminary Search of a Person This is ordinarily made at the time and scene of an arrest. Its
primary purposes are:
1.
To discover concealed weapons; and
2.
Seizure of incriminating evidence which might otherwise be destroyed.
b.
Complete Search This is done at the place of detention wherein the subject is stripped and
clothings and other possessions are thoroughly examined.
Kneeling Search This is used where no wall or upright object is available for the wall search. The
subject is required to kneel with hands raised or secured behind him with handcuffs. The search is that which is
similar to the one used in the wall method. The subject should be directed to remain motionless and to face the
front. The officer should place one foot on the heel of the subjects foot. Should the subject attempt to resist, the
investigator can pin the heel of the subject to the ground.
e.
Floor Search The subject is in a prone position, face down touching the ground, with arms extended
over his head. The investigator crouches at the side of the subject at the region of the waist of the subject.
Standing Search The subject is in a standing position with feet apart and hands raised. The
searcher stands to the rear and uses the techniques as in wall search. This method is only applied or employed
when there are two or more arresting officers.
f.
5.
The subject should be required to remove clothings and place them on a table. The subject should then be
searched carefully.
In the examination of the subject and his clothings, particular attention must be given to the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Articles that might be used against the searcher or to effect an escape (firearms, knives, knuckles, explosives,
etc.)
Articles that might be used by the subject to commit suicide (poisons, razor, blade, glasses, etc.)
Articles that constitute the fruit of the crime (stolen properties, or properties of any type suspected of having been
stolen).
Articles used in the commission of the crime.
Articles of evidence that may used to support charges against the subject (papers, maps, sketches, documents,
names, etc.)