Criminal Detection and Investigation (CDI)

SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION

GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES

I. 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.

II. PROCEDURES
1. 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).

2. At the crime scene The First Responder shall perform his/her duty:

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
i. 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)
1. Ano ang pangalan at address mo?
2. Kilala mo ba ang gumawa nito sa iyo?
3. 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. b. If not in
serious condition
a. Bring the victim immediately to the nearest hospital using emergency services;
b. Get the identity and other data of the victim;
c. 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.
c. If the suspect is arrested at the scene;
a. Get the names of the persons who turned-over or arrested the suspect.
b. Isolate the arrested suspect/s and separate them from any probable witness of the incident.
c. Record what time the suspect was arrested.
d. Wait for the investigator to interview the suspect.
e. If the suspect volunteers any statement, take note of the time, location and circumstances of the
statements.

III. Investigation Procedure at the Crime Scene

1. Upon arrival at the crime scene;

a. Receive the crime scene from the first responder.

Page 1 of 4
 Criminal Detection and Investigation (CDI)
SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION
d. Before entering the crime scene, all investigators must put on surgical gloves.
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. Identify and retain for questioning the person who first notified the police, and other possible witnesses.
h. Determine the assailant through inquiry or observe him if his identity is immediately apparent. Arrest
him if he is still in the vicinity.
i. Separate witnesses in order to get independent statements.

2. 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.

3. Searching for evidence

a. 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.
b. 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.
c. You should give particular attention to fragile evidence that may be destroyed or contaminated if it is
not collected when discovered.
d. If any doubt exists as to the value of an item, treat it as evidence until proven otherwise.
e. Ensure that the item or area where latent fingerprints may be present is closely examined and that
action is taken to develop the prints.
f. 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.
g. Note stains, spots and pools of liquid within the scene and treat them as evidence.
h. 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.
i. 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.
j. Further search may be necessary after the evidence and the statements obtained have been
evaluated.
k. 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.
l. 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.
m. 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
Page 2 of 4
 Criminal Detection and Investigation (CDI)
SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION
room from which items has been stolen, would be processed after the remainder of the scene has
been examined for traces of the offender.
n. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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:
A. Exhibit Case Number
B. Initials and or signature of the collecting officer.
C. Time and date of collection.

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Releasing of Evidence

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

9. 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. As a rule, all seized evidence must
be in the custody of the evidence custodian and deposited in the evidence room or designated place for
safekeeping.

10. Transmittal of Evidence to Crime Laboratory

Page 3 of 4
 Criminal Detection and Investigation (CDI)
SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION
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:
a. The evidence should reach the laboratory in same condition as when it was found, as much as
possible.
b. The quantity of specimen should be adequate. Even with the best equipment available, good results
cannot be obtained from insufficient specimens.
c. Submit a known or standard specimen for comparison purposes.
d. 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.
e. Mark or label each of evidence for positive identification as the evidence taken from a particular
location in connection with the crime under investigation.
f. 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.

IV. SOCO Assistance

1. In cases where the crime scene needs special processing due to its significance or because of its
sensational nature, the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) specialists of the Crime Laboratory shall be
requested.
2. If the situation involves a clandestine drug laboratory, biological weapons, radiological or chemical threats,
the appropriate agency should be contacted prior to entering the scene.
a. Significant Cases:
i. Bombing Incident
ii. Initiated terrorist activities
iii. Raids, ambuscade, liquidation
iv. KFR case
v. Armed Robbery of Banks and other
vi. Financial institution
vii. Calamity/Disaster
viii. Massacre
ix. Heinous crimes (as defined by law)
x. Murder, Homicide, Arson, Rape with Homicide

b. Sensational Cases:
i. Elected Public Officials (Brgy Captain up to President of the RP)
ii. Appointed public officials with the rank of commissioner, secretary and undersecretary
iii. Foreign diplomat
iv. Any foreigner
v. PNP/AFP personnel
vi. Former high-ranking government officials
vii. Other prominent figures such as movie stars, sports stars, tri-media practitioners,
prominent businessmen, professionals, and prominent leaders of religious organizations.

V. Release of Crime Scene Ensure that appropriate inventory has been provided.

a. Release the scene with the notion that there is only one chance to perform job correctly and completely.
b. Release is accomplished only after completion of the final survey and proper documentation.

Page 4 of 4