UNIT 1

Big Picture B

Big Picture in Focus: ULOb. Recognize the general principles in sampling

and handling techniques used in collecting object
evidences in the crime scene
Metalanguage
In this section, the most essential concepts in connection with the general
principles in sampling and handling techniques will be defined:

 Chain of Custody - Is the chronological documentation or paper trail, showing

the collection, transfer, receipt, analysis, storage, and disposal of the sample.
This ensures that any results we report relate beyond all reasonable doubt to a
particular individual.

Essential Knowledge
To perform the aforesaid big picture (unit learning outcome) for the three (3)
weeks of the course, you need to fully understand the following essential
knowledge that will be laid down in the succeeding pages of discussion.

SAMPLING AND HANDLING METHODS

4 Stages in the practice of forensic chemistry:

1. Collection or Reception of specimen to be examined.
2. The actual examination
3. The communication of Results of Examination
4. Court Appearance

General Principles
 Sufficiency of Samples – how much or how little will depend on the
classification of the crime and the type of evidence to be collected.
 Standard for Comparison – what will be considered significant will be the
difference between the Standard and the Sample.
 Maintenance of Individuality – one piece of evidence must be packed in a
separate container and so are the other pieces of evidence.
 Labeling and Sealing – evidence has to be labeled properly in order to
identify what it is, its source, person responsible for collecting the same,
date, time and place it was collected and if the case number is known to be
included.

Chain of Custody
 A chain of custody is a document that stays with the evidence at all times
 All piece of evidence gathered at the crime scene are turned over to the
 evidence custodian.
 Evidence that has to be tested in laboratory should be turned over to
forensic chemist in an official logbook of evidence.
 All other pieces of evidence are kept in the evidence room that has been
designated for said purpose.
 Explosives and inflammable evidence are photographed and turned over to
Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit.
 Among other information, the identifying tag contains signatures and
identification of all the people involved in the transport, storage and analysis
of the evidence.
 A distinction is made between destructive and non-destructive analytical
methods
 The act of taking a sample from the object somehow diminishes the object.
 Non-destructive method conserves the integrity of the object, and is
generally preferred by forensic examiners

MICROSCOPE

The microscope is a laboratory appliance that is able to magnify specimens when

viewed under its objectives. In evidence examination, magnification is necessary to
allow users to study and analyze in greater detail the specimens and to identify if
there are any details for differentiation, similarities or aberrations that may prove
significant in the investigation process.

The following are the parts of microscope:

a. Eyepiece or ocular lens: Eyepiece is the lens, present at the top and is used
to see the objects under study. Eyepiece lens contains a magnification of 10X
or 15X.
b. Tube: Tube or the body tube, connects the eyepiece to the objective lenses.
c. Resolving nosepiece: It is also known as the Turret. Resolving nosepiece has
holders for the different objective lenses. It allows the rotation of the lenses
while viewing.
 d. Objective lenses: Generally, three or four objective lenses are found on a
microscope, with ranges of 10X, 40X, 100X powers. Lenses are colour coded,
the shortest lens is of the lowest power, and the longest lens is high power
lenses.
e. Diaphragm: Diaphragm helps in controlling the amount of light that is passing
through the opening of the stage. It is helpful in the adjustment of the control of
light that enters.
f. Coarse adjustment knob: Used for focus on scanning. Usually the low power
lens is used enabling the movement of the tube.
g. Fine adjustment knob: Used for focus on oil. Moves the body tube for
focusing the high power lens.
h. Arm: It supports the tube of the microscope and connects to the base of the
microscope.
i. Stage: The platform that is flat used for placing the slides under observation.
j. Stage clip: Stage clips hold the slides in proper place.
k. Condensor: The main function of condenser lens is focusing the light on the
specimen under observation. When very high powers of 400X are used,
condenser lenses are very important. Presence of condenser lens gives a
sharper image as compared to the microscope with no condenser lens.
l. Base: Provides basal support for the microscope.
m. Power switch: The main power switch that turns the illumination on or off.

Please note that you are not limited to exclusively refer to this module.
Thus, you are expected to utilize other books, research articles and other
resources that are available in the university’s library e.g. ebrary,
search.proquest.com etc. and other credible internet sources.

Self-Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you further understand
the lesson:
 CrashCourse (2013). Lab Techniques & Safety: Crash Course Chemistry #21. Retrived
from: https://youtu.be/VRWRmIEHr3A?list=RDCMUCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q

Let’s Check
Activity 2.1. Draw and label the parts of the microscope.
 Let’s Analyze
Activity 2.2. Answer following question:
1. Why is Chain of Custody important in handling physical evidences?
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2. Could the number of the pieces of collected affect laboratory examination?

Justify your answer?
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In a Nutshell
RESEARCH PAPER. In the prior section of the unit, the general principles in
handling and sampling techniques in obtaining evidence samples have been
discussed. In this section, you are required to look for in the internet the proper
procedures (lists) in the collection of the following physical evidences as used by
the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory:
1. Blood
2. Hair
3. Fingernail Scraping
4. Fiber
5. Glass
6. Firearm
7. Bullet
8. Cartridge Case
You are required to write it in a coupon bond and submit it through
Quipper/Facebook Page or by attaching it to this manual upon submission.