Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation

INVESTIGATION
The term investigation comes from the Latin word “vestigare” which means: to track, trace or probe

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Criminal investigation seeks all facts associated with a crime to determine the truth: what happened and
who is responsible of a criminal incident.

Criminal investigation is also the collection and analysis of facts about persons, things and places,
subject of a crime to identify the guilty party, locate the whereabouts of the guilty party, and provide admissible
evidences to establish the guilt of parties involved in a crime

It also refers to the collection of facts to accomplish the threefold aim:

a. to identify the guilty party;
b. to locate the guilty party; and
c. to provide evidence of his guilt

• CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AS AN ART = It deals with the identity and location of the offender
and then proving his guilt through a criminal proceeding. It is an art because it is not governed by rigid
rules but based on intuition and to a minor extent, by chance.

• CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AS A SCIENCE = A systematic method of inquiry that apply

scientific knowledge, principles, and methodologies in order to discover, identify, collect, and process
facts and evidence to promote justice.

• CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AS A PROCESS = it involves systematic process of identifying,

collecting, preserving, and evaluating data or raw facts to produce valuable information for the purpose
of bringing a criminal offender to justice. As a process, it is based on systematic plan.

ACCORDING TO DR. HANS GROSS it is governed by:

95% -Perspiration
3% - inspiration
2% - luck

Who is Criminal Investigator?

A public safety officer who is tasked to conduct the investigation of all criminal cases as provided for
and embodied under the Revised Penal Code/Criminal Laws and Special Laws which are criminal in nature. A
well trained, disciplined and experienced professional in the field of criminal investigation duties and
responsibilities.

Primary job of Criminal Investigator

The primary job of the investigator is to discover whether or not an offense has been committed under
the law, after determining what specific offense has been committed, he must discover how it was committed,
by whom, where it was committed, when, why and how it was committed (Cardinal points of Investigation
5W’s and 1H).

SIX CARDINAL POINTS OF INVESTIGATION

WHAT specific offense ? Nature of crime

WHERE crime was committed? Place or location
WHEN it was committed? Time and date
WHO committed? Persons/s involved
WHY it was committed? Reason or motive of
Committing the crime
HOW it was committed? Manner, method or modus
Operandi
“QUALITIES OF COMPETENT / GOOD CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS

1. Perseverance
• Refers to the steadfastness or persistence and resolution to bring the desired result in spite of obstacles
connected with criminal investigation.
2. Endurance
• This is the ability to last physically and mentally hence;
3. Incorruptible Honesty and Integrity
• In the practice of his art, there is the ever temptations of money, women and drinks where these are
present in every corner laying tricks of temptations.
4. The Intelligence and Wisdom of Solomon
• This is very important in order that the investigator could easily decipher falsehood from truth and
separate the grain from the chaff.
5. Acting Activity
• It is the ability to go down to the level of the minor, the prostitute or the slum dwellers, or the level of
the other professionals or the members of the elite.
6. Mastery of the Oral and Written Communication in order that he will not suffer setback in getting the
accurate facts especially in the preparation of reports and or transmittal of information.
7. The Keen Power of Observation and Description
• These are very important in crime scene investigation and in interview and interrogation.
8. Courage
• It is the moral fortitude to tell the truth no matter who will be hurt.
9. Legal Knowledge –
 Working Knowledge of Criminal Law, Evidence, Criminal Procedure, and Penal Special Laws.
10. The Power to “Read between the Lines”
• This is the ability of investigator to interpret the words or phrases encountered in the process of
investigation in their deeper meaning in order to arrive with concrete meaning of a certain statement.
11. Working Knowledge of Martial Arts and Firearms Proficiency
 Because He will find himself in many occasions that he will be alone in confronting, arresting, bringing
to headquarters and interrogating the offenders.

TRAINING OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR

• Training, as one of the foundations of investigation, is concededly a vital ingredient in the creation of a
total investigator. Experience alone does not make one a good investigator. The fusion of the best
training and vast experience is a formidable force that can threat even the most sophisticated technology
and syndicated crimes.

• The National Forensic Science Training Institute (NFSTI) under the Philippine Public Safety College is
the institution that trains uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police to become a certified
investigator.

THREE TOOLS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

1. Information
2. Interview/interrogation
3. Instrumentation

INFORMATION
It is the knowledge/data which an investigator acquired from other persons and records.
Information is the first vital key of successful investigation.

Classes of Information

• Regular Sources – records, files from government and non-government agencies, news items.
• Cultivated Sources – information gathered upon initiative of the investigator from informants and
informers.
• Grapevine Sources – these are information coming from the underworld characters such as prisoners
and ex-convicts.
METHODS OF OBTAINING INFORMATION

1, OVERT = The visible way of obtaining information like conducting interview, patrol, crime scene search,
regular performance of police activities and custodial interrogation.
2. COVERT = The secret way of obtaining information

TYPES OF INFORMATION

1. SENSORY FORM= the outward manifestations of a criminal event that can be perceived by out five senses
– eyes, ears, nose, tongue and hands.
2. WRITTEN FORM = A criminal act may also provide information is a written form like receipts from the
motel, food and drinks in the pocket of the suspect.
3. PHYSICAL FORM = The information may actually be in a real form – meaning the failure to retrieve it or
receive it at the right time will be useless.

INTERVIEW VS INTERROGATION

• Interview means the asking of simple questions to a person who is fully cooperating with the
investigator, and willingly gives truthful answers to the investigators query
• Interrogation is described as the vigorous and controlled questioning of a person who is reluctant to
divulge information or seeks means to evade it

TYPES OF INTERVIEW

1. BACKGROUND INTERVIEW = This is focused only in obtaining data regarding the personal background
of the subject, the simplest type of interview used in criminal cases.
2. SUBJECTIVE INTERVIEW = An interview wherein the questions are phrased in a manner such that the
subject’s answers are based on his personal opinions or views. Questions are designed to deal with the
subjective aspect of the case.
3. OBJECTIVE INTERVIEW = The questions are designed to acquire the basic and specific data or facts
regarding a criminal case. It is the type of interview that complies with the six cardinal points of criminal
investigation ( the 5 W’s and 1 H)

INTEVIEW FORMAT / I.R.O.N.I.C. FORMAT

The interview of a witness can be format by its acronym ‘IRONIC’ which stands for Identity, Rapport, Opening
Statement, Narration, Inquiry, and conclusion.
• Identity—prior to the commencement of an interview, the investigator should identify himself to the
subject by name, rank and agency. Except when there is no need to know the officer’s identity.
• Rapport—it is good to get the positive feeling of the subject towards the investigators, such friendly
atmosphere is a vital for both the subject and the investigator to have a better interaction.
• Opening Statement— The investigator must have to indicate why the subject is being interviewed.
• Narration—The witness should be allowed to tell all he knows with little interruptions from the
investigator.
• Inquiry—after all information have been given by the subject, that is the time for the investigator to ask
question to clarify him about the case under investigation.
• Conclusions—After the interview, it is but proper to close the interview with outmost courtesy and
thanking the subject for his cooperation.

STAGES OF INTERVIEW/INVESTIGATION

1. PRELIMINARY = The first or initial questioning usually conducted at the crime scene. It serve as the
foundation of the case
2. FOLLOW-UP /IN DEPTH= This is to obtain further information that was missed during the initial
interview and to clarify data that has been already gathered.
3. FINAL = This is the last step of questioning that may lead to the act of offering a witness to testify during
court trial.
The investigating officer works closely with the prosecuting attorney.
RULES TO BE OBSERVED IN QUESTIONING

• One question at a time

• Avoiding implied answer
• Simplicity of the questions
• Saving faces
• Avoid close ended questions

PERSONALITIES OF INTERVIEWEES

a. Know-Nothing Type
b. Disinterested Type
c. Drunken Type Egoistic/Egocentric
d. Suspicious Type
e. Talkative Type
f. Honest Witness
g. Deceitful Witness
h. Timid Witness
i. Boasting Witness
j. Refusal to Talk

INTERROGATION
Interrogation is a questioning of a person suspected of having committed an offense

What are the purposes of Interrogation?

• To obtain confession to the crime

• To induce the suspect to make admission
• To learn the facts of the crime
• To learn the identity of the accomplice
• To develop information which will lead to the recovery of the fruits of the crime
• To discover the details of other crimes participated by the suspect

INTERROGATION ENVIRONMENT

1. PRIVACY = This can be achieved by the presence of only one door of the investigation room, absence of
windows or view, sound proof and telephone without a bell.
2. SIMPLICITY = Distraction should be kept to its minimum. Too many objects may distract the attention of
the subject. This can be accomplished by a medium size investigation room, bare walls, no glaring lights, and
minimum furniture.
3. SEATING ARRANGEMENTS = The investigator and subject must be seated without any intervening
furniture, straight back chair for the suspect, table with flat surface, the back of the suspect must
be facing the door
4. THE TECHNICAL AIDS = installation of recording device and one-way mirror.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF INTERROGATION

1. VOLUNTARINESS = The statement of a person being interrogated must have been made voluntary and
must not be the product of threat, fear, fraud, coercion, or other improper tactics.
2. INTERROGATION WHILE IN CUSTODY = The warning of rights or giving the MIRANDA
WARNING/DOCTRINE

MIRANDA RIGHTS

• Right to remain silent

• Right to counsel and if the suspect cannot afford the services of a private counsel, he must be provided
with one
• No force, violence, threat or intimidation shall be used against him.

*Any confession obtained in violation of these rights shall be inadmissible in court as evidence
MIRANDA DOCTRINE – this case which entitled Miranda vs. Arizona, is a US Supreme Court
Jurisprudence which laid down the constitutional rights of the accused during custodial investigation. It was
incorporated in our 1973 Constitution and later in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.

MIRANDA DECISION
A kidnapping and rape investigation in Phoenix, Arizona, resulted in the arrest of Ernesto Miranda as
the suspect. Following a lineup identification by the victim, the suspect was interviewed for two hours-a
relatively short period of time for a major case of this nature. During this time period, Miranda confessed orally,
then gave investigators a written confession regarding the offense. The suspect was subsequently convicted,
with the Arizona Supreme Court upholding the lower court decision. The United States Supreme Court reversed
this decision, stating that the suspect’s rights to counsel and his protection against self-incrimination had been
violated. As a result of this landmark decision, the so-called MIRANDA WARNING has become mandatory.
Suspects taken into custody or deprived of their freedom of action, who are to be questioned by law
enforcement officers.

1961, USA = MAPP vs. OHIO (376 vs. 584)

The Supreme Court ruled that illegally obtained evidence is inadmissible in state criminal prosecutions.
This case established the “Doctrine of Poisonous Tree.”

INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES

1. Emotional Appeal
Place the subject in the proper frame of mind. The investigator should provide emotional stimuli
that will prompt the subject to unburden himself by confiding.
Analyze the subject’s personality and decide what motivation would prompt him to tell the truth,
then provide those motives through appropriate emotional appeals.
2. Sympathetic appeal
The suspect may feel the need for sympathy or friendship. He is apparently in trouble. Gestures
of friendship may win his cooperation.
3. Kindness
The simplest technique is to assume that the suspect will confess if he is treated in a kind and
friendly manner.
4. Extenuation
The investigator indicates he does not consider his subject’s indiscretion a grave offense.
5. Shifting the blame
The interrogator makes clear his belief that the subject is obviously not the sort of person who
usually gets mixed up in a crime like this.
The interrogator could tell from the start that he was not dealing with a fellow who is a criminal
by nature and choice.
6. Mutt and Jeff
Two (2) agents are employed.
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.
7. Bluff on a Split Pair
this is applicable when there are more than one suspect. The suspect are separated and one is
informed that other has talked.
8. Pretense of Physical Evidence
The investigator may pretend that certain physical evidence has found by laboratory experts
against him.
9. Jolting
May be applied to calm and nervous subjects by constantly observing the suspects, the
investigator chooses a propitious moment to shout a pertinent question and appear as though he is beside
himself with rage. The subject may be unnerved to the extent of confessing:

Philosophy of Interview and Interrogation:

The RIGHT officer

asking the RIGHT questions
in the RIGHT manner
at the RIGHT time and in the RIGHT place
will get the RIGHT answers.
INSTRUMENTATION

It is the application of instruments and methods of physical science to the detection of crimes. In cases
where there are no significant physical evidence to be found, then the use of instrumentation is relatively
unimportant. (It is also known as Criminalistics)

Development of Criminalistics

Before the 1900s criminal investigation relied almost exclusively upon the interaction of people.
Detectives used their skills as interviewers and persuaders to obtain information regarding innocence or guilt.
This form of information gathering, including the frequent use of the informant, was nearly the sole means of
field criminal detection. Today the emphasis is very different. Current methods involve, to a large extent, what
is known as criminalistics. or the more generic term forensic science. In its simplest form, criminalistics is the
application of many fields of natural science in the detection of crime. Chemistry, physic, biology and
mathematics are frequently considered the backbone of forensic science.

In the process of instrumentation, the following equipments are being used, namely:

1. The first used was Anthropometry found by Alphonse Bertillon. He is a Frenchman who founded criminal
identification by body measurement. It was accepted and adopted by police departments in Europe and the
United States for more than twenty (20) years. But due to the West case, Anthropometry disappeared, which up
to the time of his death in 1914, Bertillon never accepted its uselessness.

2. Dactyloscopy replaced Anthropometry. It was popularized by Sir Edward Richard Henry in Europe and
through Juan Vucetich who founded the fingerprint classification, it was found to be accurate. Its usefulness in
criminal investigation cannot be questioned because its infallibility because no two persons have the same
fingerprints not even the ten neighboring fingers of the same persons.

3. Forensic Serology was discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1901 the agglutination of human blood. This
discovery demonstrated that blood possesses certain characteristics, which allowed the designation A, B, AB
and 0.

4. Forensic Ballistics developed by Dr. Calvin H. Goddard, a U.S. Army Physician with a rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. It is used for determining whether or not the evidence bullet and test bullet came from a single gun
through the use of bullet comparison microscope.

5. Poroscopy founded by Edmond Locard, one of the foremost criminalists in the world. Poroscopy deals with
the identification of sweat pores, he proved that pores vary in number, size and position in each individual.

6. Polygraph (lie detector) was develop by John Larson although it was founded by Keller. It is effective in
limiting the suspects in number as in the hand of an expert and dependable machine its result is excellent.

7. In 1984, Alex Jeffrey’s, a British biologist and genetics expert, discovered the concept of DNA genetic
fingerprinting.

The three fold aim of Criminal Investigation

• to identify the suspect;
• to locate the suspect; and
• to provide evidence of his guilt.

IDENTIFICATION OF CRIMINALS

METHODS OF IDENTIFYING CRIMINALS

1. By confession or admission of the criminal himself
2. Identification by accounts or testimonies of eyewitnesses
3. Identification by circumstantial evidence
4. Identification by associative evidence
5. Identification by the Method of Operation (Modus Operandi)
 1. By confession or admission of the criminal himself

CONFESSION– is the direct acknowledgement of guilt arising from the commission of a crime.

Types of Confession

• Extra-Judicial Confession –made outside the court.

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

TAKE NOTE; Corpus delicti - (latin word for the “body of the crime”) - used to describe the physical or
material evidence that a crime has been committed. ex. corpse of a murder victim.

• Judicial Confession– those made by the accused in open court. The plea of guilt may be during
arraignment or in any stage of the proceedings where the accused changes his plea of not guilty to
guilty.

ADMISSION - An admission is a self-incriminatory statement by the subject falling short of an

acknowledgement of guilt. It implicates but does not incriminate. (indirect acknowledgement of guilt)

RULES TO BE OBSERVED IN TAKING CONFESSION OR ADMISSION

• Confession or admission must be taken preferably in writing and under oath

• It must be written in the language known and understood by the accused, if not it must be clearly
translated
• It must be freely and voluntary given by the accused
• it must be taken in the presence of competent and independent counsel chosen by the accused

2. Identification by accounts or testimonies of eyewitnesses

The value of Identification by Eyewitnesses Depends on:

• The ability of the eyewitness to observe and remember the relative “distinctiveness” of the accused’
appearance.
• The prevailing conditions of visibility and observations when the crime was committed.
• The lapse of time between the criminal event and the identification.

KINDS OF CRIMINALS IDENTIFIED BY WITNESSES

• Known fugitives—if the criminal is known, then police records and pictures are available. His relatives
and friends can offer a description. Further description may be obtained from local police files,
background investigation and from verbal descriptions of others.
• Unknown criminals—identified of unknown criminals by eyewitnesses must be approached with
caution by the investigator. The description and characteristics may be vague that identification is
difficult.

Methods of Identification by witness

1. Verbal Description —the value of the description must depend on the capacity of the witness to
describe the criminal.

2. Photographic Files—(Rogue’s Gallery)—the witness may be taken to the headquarters to examine

the photographs in file. The modus operandi file may also be shown upon knowledge of the
technique of the commission of the crime

3. General Photograph —the investigator should show the witness the variety of facial types which
do not necessarily represent the criminal. The picture only represents different features of the face.
The image of various features such as the degree of baldness, length or shape of the nose, the shape
of mouth ear, etc.

4. Artist’s Assistance —the identification may be made by the employment of an artist to depict a
composite of the features described by the eyewitness. The witness is shown a chart which contains
 representations of various types of human features as noses, eyes, ears, etc., and is requested to
select the individual features present in the unknown criminal. From this selection, the artist draws a
composite of the face which maybe a close approximation to that of the criminals. Also called as
CARTOGRAPHY.

What are the procedures of identification by eyewitness?

1. Physical/Police line-up – is a 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.
Their appearance must be almost the same as to height, hair color, and clothing. The suspect
must be given the opportunity to select the position in the line-up.

2. 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.

3. Identification by circumstantial evidence

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE - Circumstantial evidence is identification established indirectly by

proving other facts or circumstances from which either alone or in connection with other facts, the identity of
this perpetrator can be inferred

When may circumstantial evidence be sufficient to produce conviction?

• When there is more than one circumstance.

• When the facts from which the inferences derived are proven.
• When the combination of all the circumstances is such as to produce a conviction beyond a reasonable
doubt.

What must be inferred to prove identity by circumstantial evidence

• Motive—motivated by a desire for revenge or personal gain. Motive is hard to establish in crime
committed by mentally deranged persons.
• Opportunity—this is the physical possibility that the suspect could have committed the crime. It may
be deduced from the following:
1. The suspect could have been in the vicinity of the crime.
2. Knowledge of the criminal objectives.
3. Absence of alibi.

4. Identification by associative evidence

Physical evidence may be considered as:

ASSOCIATIVE EVIDENCE – these are the pieces of evidence that will link the suspect to the crime scene.
The suspect may leave some clues at the scene such as weapons, tools, garments or prints.

TRACING EVIDENCE – articles which assist the investigator in locating the criminal.

5. Identification by the Method of Operation (Modus Operandi)

MODUS OPERANDI -Modus operandi means the method of operations. It enables the investigators to
recognize a pattern of criminal behavior, to predict, approximate the next target of the criminals and to assist
complainants to recognize the suspect by means of recorded information concerning the characteristics of
criminal activities.

TAKE NOTE; MAJOR GENERAL LLEWELY ATCHERLY –devised the first modus operandi file

TRACING AND LOCATING THE CRIMINALS

INFORMANT – is a person who gives information to the police relevant to a criminal case about the activities
or whereabouts the criminals or syndicates.
TYPES OF INFORMANTS
• Anonymous informant – do not wish to be identified.
• Rival elimination informant – to eliminate competition.
• False informant – reveals information of value.
• Frightened informant – motivated by anxiety.
• Self-aggrandizing – hangs about the fringes of the criminals.
• Mercenary informant – gives information for a price.
• Double crosser informant – to get more information from the police.
• Woman informant – female associate of the criminals. “most dangerous specie “
• Legitimate informant – operators of legitimate business establishments.

What are the motives of informant in giving information?

• Vanity
• Civic-mindedness
• Fear
• Repentance
• Avoidance of punishment
• Competition
• Revenge
• Jealousy
• Remuneration

GATHERING OF EVIDENCE TO PROVE THE GUILT OF THE CRIMINAL

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

What should then be the primary job of an Investigator before applying the golden rule?
The Investigator upon his arrival at the scene of the crime should consider the following two important
steps before he touches or moves any object.

• If the victim is still alive, the Investigator should try to gather or acquire information from the victim
himself with regard to the surrounding circumstances of the crime, while calling for assistance for an
ambulance from the nearest hospital. Then measure, sketch and photograph the crime scene
immediately after the victim is removed and brought to the hospital for medical attendance.

• If the victim is dead, the body should be removed only after the crime scene is measured, sketched
and photographed.

Golden Rule in Crime Scene Investigation

Do not touch or move anything in the crime scene unless it has been properly photograph, sketch and recorded.
MAC Rule- Do not Move, Alter, Change the crime scene

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CRIME SCENE AND CORPUS DELICTI

Crime scene - a venue or place where the alleged crime/incident/event has been committed.

Corpus delicti - (latin word for the “body of the crime”) - used to describe the physical or material evidence
that a crime has been committed. ex. corpse of a murder victim.

What Constitute a Crime Scene?

• Crime scene can be understood to include all areas in which the criminal, any possible victim and any
eyewitness move during the time the crime was committed.
 • The boundaries must be established so that the entire crime scene can be effectively preserved.
• In some crimes, however, the crime scene may actually comprise several different sites.

PROTOCOLS IN INVESTIGATION

Protocol 1: Jurisdictional Investigation by the Territorial Unit Concerned

The Police Station, which has territorial jurisdiction of the area where the crime incident was
committed, shall immediately undertake the necessary investigation and processing of the crime scene,
unless otherwise directed by higher authorities for a certain case to be investigated by other
units/agency.

Protocol 2: Official Police Blotter

a. A Police Blotter is an 18” x 12” logbook with hard-bound cover that contains the daily register of all crime
incident reports, official summary of arrests, and other significant events reported in a police station.

b. As a general rule, all crime incidents must be recorded in the official police blotter.

c. A separate Police Blotter, however, shall be maintained for offenses requiring confidentiality like violence
against women and children and those cases involving a child in conflict with the law to protect their privacy
pursuant to R.A. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004) and R.A. 9344 (Juvenile
Justice and Welfare Act of 2006).

Protocol 3: Investigation Team: Organization

a. All investigators in any police unit must be a graduate of prescribed investigation course with a rank of at
least PO2 (pre-requisite to assignment).
b. Composition:
1. Team Leader;
2. Investigator/recorder;
3. Photographer;
4. Evidence custodian; and
5. Composite Illustrator/Artist

Preparation of Case Investigation Plan (CIPLAN)

The conduct of police operation involving sensational cases, high profile and heinous crimes must be
covered by Case Investigation Plan.

Uniform of the Investigator

Prescribed uniform should be worn by investigators when conducting investigation so as to identify
them as PNP personnel.
SOCO Assistance
a. 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.
b. 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.
CRIME SCENE SKETCHES
Sketches are useful in questioning of suspects and witnesses as well as in the writing of investigative reports.
• A sketch is prepared indicating the actual measurement of things with scale and proportion observed and
oriented to the North Pole. All necessary information are placed in the sketch.
• Sketches are excellent companions to photograph. Where photograph provide exact details, sketches
offer accurate information about the placement of objects and they show relationship and distances
between things.
ELEMENTS OF SKETCH
1. Measurements
2. Compass Direction
3. Essential elements
4. Scale and Proportion
5. Legend
6. Title
SPECIFIC KINDS OF SKETCHES

1. SKETCH OF LOCALITY =This gives picture of the scene, the crime and its environs, including
such items such as neighboring buildings, roads leading to the location or house.

2. SKETCH OF GROUNDS = The sketch of grounds pictures the scene of the crime with its nearest
physical surroundings (e.g. house with a garden).

3. SKETCH OF DETAILS = The sketch of details describes immediate scene only. For instance, the
room in which the crime was committed and the details thereof. Cross projection method are details
of the room wherein walls and ceiling are pictures as if they are on the same place as the floor. This
gives a clear impression of the scene in cases where bloodstains or bullet holes are found in the walls
or on the ceiling.

Types of Measurements

• Rectangular coordinates method – a sketching method that involves measuring the distance of an
object from two fixed lines at right angles to each other.
• Triangulation method – a sketching method that requires measuring the distance of an object along a
straight line from two widely separated fixed reference points.
• Baseline method– a sketching method that makes measurements along from a single reference line,
called a baseline, which can be established by using a length of string, chalk line, or some other
convenient means.
 • Cross projection method – a sketching method in which the ceiling appears to open up like a lid of a
hinged box, with the four walls opening outward. Measurements are then indicated from a point on the
floor to the wall.

ROUGH SKETCH -Made by the prober at the crime scene. Scale and proportion are ignored and everything is
approximated. It is to be used as basis of the finish sketch
FINISH SKETCH -Made primarily for court room presentation. All elements of sketching must be present.
CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY
The main objective is to create a visual record of the crime scene before any item is moved as possible
physical evidence.
Take photograph of the crime scene with or without markers.

Methods of Crime Scene Search

1. STRIP SEARCH METHOD = In this method, the area is blocked out in the form of a rectangle. The three
(3) searchers, A,B, and C proceed slowly at the same pace along, paths parallel to one side of the rectangle.
When a piece of evidence is found, the finder announces his discovery and the search must stop until the
evidence has been cared for . A photographer is called, if necessary. The evidence is collected and tagged and
the search proceeds at a given signal. At the end of the rectangle, the searchers turn and proceed along new
lanes.

2. THE DOUBLE STRIP OR GRID METHOD OF SEARCH = a modification of the strip search method.
Here, the rectangle is traversed first parallel to the base then parallel to the side.

3. SPIRAL SEARCH METHOD = In this method, the three searcher follow each other along the path of a
spiral, beginning on the outside and spiraling toward the center.

4. ZONE SEARCH METHOD = In this method, one searcher is assigned to each subdivision of a quadrant,
then each quadrant is cut into another set of quadrants.

2nd Zone
1st Zone/grid

search
4th Zone
3rd Zone

5.WHEEL SEARCH METHOD = In this method of search, the area is considered to be approximately
circular. The searcher, gathers at the center and proceed outward along radii or spokes. The procedure should be
repeated several times depending on the size of the circle and the number of searchers. One shortcoming of this
method is the great increase in the area to be observed as the searchers depart from the center.
 6. Point to point- searcher will stand in a straight line and move forward together.
What is meant by reconstruction of the crime?
After completion of the search, an effort must be made to determine from the appearance of the place and its
objects what actually occurred and what the circumstances of a crime were. This is known as reconstructing the
crime.
Kinds of reconstruction
• Physical Reconstruction— The physical appearance of the crime scene is reconstructed from the
description of witnesses and the indication of the physical evidence.
• Mental Reconstruction—From the physical reconstruction, some conclusions can be made concerning
the consistency of the accounts of various witnesses. No assumption should be made concerning actions
which are not supported by evidences. The final theory developed by the investigator should provide a
line of investigative action.
DEDUCTIVE REASONING -It forms a general conclusion prior to having a complete explanation based on
the facts
INDUCTIVE REASONING- It forms a general conclusion after gathering evidence and after further
investigation
Packaging = Physical evidence should be packed in order to prevent loss, tampering, breakage or
deterioration.  
EVIDENCE/ITEM DESIRED CONTAINER
1. Paper Envelope
3. Firearm Box or board of exact size
4. Hair Wrap it first with filter paper before placing
it in an envelope
5. Dirt = same=
6. Cloth Box – Do not fold the area where there is
stain. Encircle the location of the stain
using a chalk for easy identification.
7. Seminal stain If moist, drop distilled water using a dropper
and use the same to collect it, then place it
in a test tube

8. Blood Use an sterilized eye dropper to collect the

blood and place it in a test tube and add
saline solution.
 
Use saline solution to prevent coagulation
TYPES OF EVIDENCE

1. TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE = The most common form of evidence, and it is obtained through interview
and interrogation – events which witness see, smell, taste, and touch are described to the investigator through
oral and written testimony.

2. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE = This includes writings, including official records. One which is supplied
by written instruments, or derived from symbols which ideas are represented on material substances, like letters,
wills, deed or contract.

3. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE = Evidence addressed to the senses of the court, as when objects are exhibited for
the personal observation of the judge. It is also called real evidence – any kind of object associated with the
investigation, but it must be a tangible item.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

1720’S JONATHAN WILD

• He was the most famous thief catcher
• “Employing a thief to actch a thief.”
• He became the London's most effective criminal investigator.
• His methods made popular the logic of “employing a thief to catch a thief
• He conceived the idea of charging a fee for locating and returning stolen property to its rightful owners.

EUGENE “FRANCOIS” VIDOCQ

• Established a squad of ex convicts to aid Paris police in investigation.

• He worked under the theory of “Employing a thief to catch a thief.”
• Founder of LA SURETE, France's national detective organization.
*FATHER OF MODERN CRIMINOLOGY IN FRANCE.

1851, BOSTON, MASACHUSSETTS, USA

First introduced the multi-suspect identification line-up known as ”POLICE LINE-UP”

ALLAN PINKERTON

America’s foremost private detective. He became the first detective of the Chicago Police Department in
1849. He then opened his private detective agency in the early 1850’s in partnership with Chicago attorney,
EDWARD RUCKER. Their business immediately became successful and formed the North-Western Police
Agency. (PINKERTON'S AGENCY)

KATE WAYNE
First women detective in history criminal investigation that was hired by Pinkerton Agency.

ALPHONSE BERTILION

Introduced the first systematic identificatdion thru Anthropological measurement known as

ANTHROPOMETRY SYSTEM.
• Consider as the Founder of Criminal Investigation
• Father of Personal Identification

THOMAS BYRNES

• Chief of the detectives in New York City, was one of the famous investigators of the nineteenth century.
• He trained his detectives in recognizing individual criminal techniques. This method was later to be
known as “modus operandi” or method of operation and is considered an essential tool of investigation
to this day.

PAUL LELAND KIRK

• A forensic chemist and scientist who pioneered the blood splatter analysis “blood stain pattern analysis”
DR. ALEC JOHN JEFFREYS

• Ivented the used of DNA fingerprinting or profiling .

• He used this to identify Colin Pitchfork as the murderer of 2 young girls in England.

DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID

• DNA typing was first used to solve a crime in 1986 in ENGLAND.

• DNA profiling was first introduced in US criminal court
• First conviction using DNA was Tommy Lee Andrews.

FLAVIANO GUERRERO
• the only Filipino member of United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

• 1833, ENGLAND: The Scotland Yard employed the first undercover officer while in
•  USA: First daytime paid police department was established in Philadelphia, USA.
• 1835, USA: TEXAS RANGERS was organized as the first law enforcement agency with state Invwide
investigative authority, the forerunner of the Federal Bureau of estigation
• 1852, USA: - CHARLES DICKENS - Through his story entitled BLEAK HOUSE, he introduced the
term DETECTIVE to the English language

PHILIPPINE SETTING

• 1985 – PEOPLE vs. GALIT (GR#51770;March 20,1985) - The right to a counsel maybe waived but
the waiver, to be valid, must be made with assistance of a counsel.