CHAPTER II

GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES

PURPOSE

 This investigative procedure is designed to adapt to the current trends in modern investigation,
in line with the PNP Integrated Transformation Program which seeks to improve and integrate
the different manuals used by the PNP to serve as guide in all aspects of police investigation.

 It also aims to come up with a definite investigative procedure on specific cases from the time
the incident happened, until the case is filed, which will be adopted by the PNP investigators in
pursuing their mandated tasks

PROCEDURES

 Upon receipt of call/walk-in complainants

Duty Desk Officer shall:

a. Record the time it was reported;

b. Get the identity of the caller/complainant;

c. Get the place of the incident;

d. Get the nature of the incident;

e. Get the number of victim/s;

f. Record a brief synopsis of the incident;

g. Direct the nearest mobile car/beat patrollers or the nearest police precinct to act as first responder
equipped with “police line” to secure the place of incident a camera; and

h. Inform the duty investigator (preferably one team of investigators).

At the crime scene

 The First Responder shall perform his/her duty as stated in Chapter I Protocol 4.

 In addition, check the condition of the victim while the other members of the first responders
shall simultaneously secure the area by putting a police line or any material (like rope, straw and
etc).

a. If in serious condition

1. Bring the victim immediately to the nearest hospital using emergency services; 2. Photograph and
make a sketch of the victim (if the victim is dead);

3. Get the dying declaration; if necessary (ask 3 questions)

a) Ano ang pangalan at address mo?

b) Kilala mo ba ang gumawa nito sa iyo?

c) Sa pakiramdam mo ba ay ikamamatay mo ang tinamo mong sugat?

 However, if there is still a chance to ask more questions, then follow-up should be done. The
statement, once reduced into writing, shall be duly signed by or with thumb mark of the victim.

If not in serious condition

1. Bring the victim immediately to the nearest hospital using emergency services;

2. Get the identity and other data of the victim;

3. Get initial interview from the victim

Note: The other member/s of the first responders shall remain at the crime scene to secure the
premises.

If the suspect is arrested at the scene

1. Get the names of the persons who turned-over or arrested the suspect.

2. Isolate the arrested suspect/s and separate them from any probable witness of the incident.

3. Record what time the suspect was arrested.

4. Wait for the investigator to interview the suspect.

5. If the suspect volunteers any statement, take note of the time, location and circumstances of the
statements.

Investigation Procedure at the Crime Scene

a. Upon arrival at the crime scene

1. Receive the crime scene from the first responder.

2. Record time/date of arrival at the crime scene, location of the scene, condition of the weather,
condition and type of lighting, direction of wind and visibility.

3. Photograph and/or video the entire crime scene.

4. Before entering the crime scene, all investigators must put on surgical gloves.

5. Before touching or moving any object at the crime scene in a homicide or murder case, determine first
the status of the victim, whether he is still alive or already dead. If the victim is alive, the investigator
should exert effort to gather information from the victim himself regarding the circumstances of the
crime, while a member of the team or someone must call an ambulance from the nearest hospital.
Before removing the victim, mark, sketch and photograph his/her relative position. Only a coroner or a
medical examiner shall remove the dead body unless unusual circumstances justify its immediate
removal.

6. Designate a member of the team or ask other policemen or responsible persons to stand watch and
secure the scene, and permit only authorized persons to enter the same.
7. Identify and retain for questioning the person who first notified the police, and other possible
witnesses.

8. Determine the assailant through inquiry or observe him if his identity is immediately apparent. Arrest
him if he is still in the vicinity.

9. Separate witnesses in order to get independent statements.

Recording

 The investigator begins the process of recording pertinent facts and details of the investigation
the moment he arrives at the crime scene. (He should record the time when he was initially
notified prior to his arrival). He also writes down the identification of persons involved and what
he initially saw. He also draws a basic sketch of the crime scene and takes the initial photograph
(if a photographer is available, avail his services). This is to ensure that an image of the crime
scene is recorded before any occurrence that disturbs the scene. As a rule, do not touch, alter or
remove anything at the crime scene until the evidence has been processed through notes,
sketches and photograph, with proper measurements

 Searching for evidence

 1. Each crime is different, according to the physical nature of the scene and the crime or offense
involved. Consequently, the scene is processed in accordance with the prevailing physical
characteristics of the scene and with the need to develop essential evidentiary facts peculiar to
the offense. A general survey of the scene is always made, however, to note the locations of
obvious traces of action, the probable entry and exit points used by the offender(s) and the size
and shape of the area involved.

 2. In rooms, buildings, and small outdoor areas, a systematic search of evidence is initiated (In
the interest of uniformity, it is recommended that the clockwise movement be used.) The
investigator examines each item encountered on the floor, walls, and ceiling to locate anything
that may be of evidentiary value.

 3. You should give particular attention to fragile evidence that may be destroyed or
contaminated if it is not collected when discovered

 4. If any doubt exists as to the value of an item, treat it as evidence until proven otherwise.


  5. Ensure that the item or area where latent fingerprints may be present is closely examined and
that action is taken to develop the prints.

 6. Carefully protect any impression of evidentiary value in surfaces conducive to making casts or
molds. If possible, photograph the impression and make a cast or mold.

 7. Note stains, spots and pools of liquid within the scene and treat them as evidence.

 8. Treat as evidence all other items, such as hairs, fibers, and earth particles foreign to the area
in which they are found; for example, matter found under the victim‟s fingerprints.

 9. Proceed systematically and uninterruptedly to the conclusion of the processing of the scene.
The search for evidence is initially completed when, after a thorough examination of the scene,
the rough sketch, necessary photograph and investigative notes have been completed and the
investigator has returned to the point from which the search began.

 10. Further search may be necessary after the evidence and the statements obtained have been
evaluated.

 11. In large outdoor areas, it is advisable to divide the area into strips about four (4) feet wide.
The policeman may first search the strip on his left as he faces the scene and then the adjoining
strips.

 12. It may be advisable to make a search beyond the area considered to be the immediate scene
of the incident or crime. For example, evidence may indicate that a weapon or tool used in the
crime was discarded or hidden by the offender somewhere within a square-mile area near the
scene.

 13. After completing the search of the scene, the investigator examines the object or person
actually attacked by the offender. For example, a ripped safe, a desk drawer that has been pried
open or a room from which items has been stolen, would be processed after the remainder of
the scene has been examined for traces of the offender.

 14. In a homicide case, the position of the victim should be outlined with a chalk or any other
suitable material before the body is removed from the scene. If the victim has been pronounced
dead by a doctor or is obviously dead, it is usually advisable to examine the body, the clothing
and the area under the body after the remainder of the scene has been searched. This is to
enable the policeman/investigator to evaluate all objects of special interest in the light of all
other evidence found at the scene.

Collection of Evidence
  This is accomplished after the search is completed, the rough sketch finished and photographs
taken. Fragile evidence should be collected as they are found. All firearms (FAs) found to have
tampered serial numbers (SNs) shall be automatically subjected to macro etching at the
Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory (PNP-CL). A corresponding request to the Firearms
and Explosive Office (FEO) must be made for verification purposes

 The investigator places his initials, the date and time of discovery on each item of evidence for
proper identification. Items that could not be marked should be placed in a suitable container
and sealed.

e. Markings of Evidence

 Any physical evidence obtained must be marked or tagged before its submission to the evidence
custodian.

 These are information to ensure that the items can be identified by the collector at any time in
the future. This precaution will help immeasurably to establish the credibility of the collector‟s
report or testimony and will effectively avoid any suggestions that the item has been
misidentified.

Markings on the specimen must at least contain the following:

1. Exhibit Case Number

2. Initials and or signature of the collecting officer.

3. Time and date of collection.

NOTE: It is also important to note the place or location where the evidence was collected.

Evaluation of Evidence

 Each item of evidence must be evaluated in relation to all the evidence, individually and
collectively. If necessary, these pieces of evidence must be subjected to crime laboratory
examination. Example: firearms for ballistic examination, hair strands etc.

Preservation of Evidence

 It is the investigator‟s responsibility to ensure that every precaution is exercised to preserve

physical evidence in the state in which it was recovered/ obtained until it is released to the
evidence custodian.

Releasing of Evidence

 All collected evidence can only be released upon order of the court or prosecutor, as the case
maybe.

Chain of Custody
 A list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence, continuity of possession,
or the chain of custody, must be established whenever evidence is presented in court as an
exhibit. Adherence to standard procedures in recording the location of evidence, marking it for
identification, and properly completing evidence submission forms for laboratory analysis is
critical to chain of custody. Every person who handled or examined the evidence and where it is
at all times must be accounted for.

 Transmittal of Evidence to Crime Laboratory Proper handling of physical evidence is necessary

to obtain the maximum possible information upon which scientific examination shall be based,
and to prevent exclusion as evidence in court. Specimens which truly represent the material
found at the scene, unaltered, unspoiled or otherwise unchanged in handling will provide more
and better information upon examination. Legal requirements make it necessary to account for
all physical pieces of evidence from the time it is collected until it is presented in court. With
these in mind, the following principles should be observed in handling all types of evidence:

 Keep each specimen separate from others so there will be no intermingling or mixing of known
and unknown material. Wrap and seal in individual packages when necessary.

 Mark or label each of evidence for positive identification as the evidence taken from a particular
location in connection with the crime under investigation.

 The chain of custody of evidence must be maintained. Account for evidence from the time it is
collected until it is produced in court. Any break in this chain of custody may make the material
inadmissible as evidence in court.