Republic of the Philippines

EULOGIO “AMANG” RODRIGUEZ

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cavite Campus
General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite

Subject: FUNDAMENTALS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND INTELLIGENCE

Subject Code: CD1FCIIN
Topic: CRIME SCENE SEARCH
Sub-Topics: PRELIMINARY CRIME SCENE SURVEY
GENERAL STAGES OF CRIME SCENE SEARCH
METHODS OF CONDUCTING CRIME SCENE SEARCH
PRECAUTIONS IN THE CRIME SCENE SEARCH
EVALUATION OF THE CRIME SCENE
RECONDSTRUCTING THE CRIME SCENE
EQUIPMENT USE IN CRIME SCENE SEARCH
FINAL SURVEY OF THE CRIME SCENE
RELEASE OF THE CRIME SCENE
Reporters: AUSTRIA, LHOREIN
DOLOR, JOHN WILSON
LAZARTE, RICARDO
LONCIRAS, GABRIEL
VIADO, MARK
VILLAREAL, PATRICK JOHN
Instructor: Mr. ALVIN T. REJUSO, RCrim, LPT

PRELIMINARY CRIME SCENE

At this stage of the investigation, prohibitions and negative advice are most useful. The
investigator must initially restraint himself from taking physical action. The natural inclination is to form
a quick opinion of what happened and endeavor to verify it by physically examining various articles.
The most advisable measure at this point is to stand aside and make an estimate of the situation.
Determine what areas bear no foot impressions so that they may be traversed without damage. A place
should then be selected for a “command post.” Notebooks, equipment, and receptacles for evidence
can be placed in this designated area. Having formed the estimate, the investigator now determines
the number, kind, and views of the photographs he wishes to be taken. With the photography
accomplished, he may proceed with a search. In the case of homicide, the investigator should, of
course, await the arrival and services of the medical examiner before disturbing the body.

SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF PRELIMINARY CRIME SCENE SURVEY

The preliminary crime scene survey is a stage of crime scene search in which the foundation for
management, organization, and logistics is developed to suit the needs of a particular crime scene. The
most significant specific purposes of the preliminary crime scene survey are as follows:

1. To establish administrative and operational control;

2. To delineate the extent of the crime scene area;
3. To organize the methods and procedures needed in the conduct of the crime scene search;
 4. To determine manpower and equipment needs;
5. To develop a general theory of the crime;
6. To identify and protect transient physical evidence and clue materials; and
7. To prepare a narrative description of the crime scene.

In order to fulfill these specific purposes, the preliminary survey begins when it is deemed that the
crime scene has been thoroughly secured and protected. An initial walkthrough of the crime scene is
undertaken so that the officer-in-charge has a solid understanding of the crime scene as a whole,
including the existence and location of readily observable physical evidence and clue materials.
Additionally, the exact conditions of items that can easily change, that is weather conditions and
lightings, should be recorded in the survey. It is important to note that the initial walkthrough is
accomplished by as few persons as feasible to ensure that people operate in a coordinated and
unrecorded manner. In terms of conducting a successful crime scene search, the preliminary survey is
the most important stage which promotes an organized plan of action and prevents random physical
activity which could destroy pertinent physical and clue materials.

INITIAL WALK-THROUGH OF THE CRIME SCENE

The process of discovery begins after the complainant has been questioned. When information
is not otherwise available, the investigator’s experience is put to use informing a general impression of
what happened and where to look for physical evidence. The search should include:

1. The most probable access and escape routes. When fleeing the scene, some criminals
deliberately discard a weapon or tool, or, on occasion, the proceeds of the crime.
2. Any area where the perpetrator waited before committing the crime. Thieves gain entrance
to a building just before closing time, then wait until it has been vacated. Killers or robbers
and thieves also wait in ambush for their victims. In these areas, clues such as used matches,
burned cigarettes, spent cartridge casings, food containers, may be found.
3. The point of entry to the premises.
4. The route used within the premises where signs of the perpetrators activity-such as objects
which have been moved or places broken into-are apparent.
5. Any objects which seems to have received attention from the criminal, such as safe.
6. Some unusual places where evidence might be found include the following: 1) refrigerator
with half eaten food and latent fingerprints on handle; and 2) bathroom with fingerprints and
hair on the toilet seat and trash can.

A walk-through of the crime scene is first undertaken to observe the actual physical evidence
and so to ascertain which locations and articles require processing, such as dusting for fingerprints or
photographing blood details. If an outdoor search was made during the hours of darkness, the crime
scene should be protected and searched again in daylight.

The first search should be confined to the fairly obvious and to what could be of immediate value
in identifying the perpetrator. Evidence that has a short life and easily destroyed must be given priority.
Whether indoors or out, sufficient illumination is crucial. It will prevent the mistake of walking on or
missing evidence.

The preliminary walk-through process helps to define the boundaries of the areas to be
examined. Regardless of the search pattern employed, it must be systematic and thorough. When the
area is large, piecemeal probing of small sections is effective. However, this task can be shortened. In
a homicide committed in a sand pit, in which the victim’s skull was fractured, the search for the missing
weapon could start where the body was found.
 The better idea, however, would be to divide the area surrounding the sand pit area into a large
grid. Those cells in the grid along the possible escape route might be searched after the sand pit area.
If unsuccessful, the search could be directed to other cells in the grid. Upon competition, the entire
process should be reviewed to make certain that nothing was overlooked.

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE CRIME SCENE

The “narrative description” of a crime scene is prepared during the preliminary survey stage of
the crime scene search. Essentially, this description is a means of documenting the original conditions
of the crime scene as found by the first responder and the investigator. The procedure should not be
confused with the utilization of note taking, photographs, and sketches, which occurs in the entire
process of the crime scene search. The narrative description will usually not have the preciseness
developed in the actual crime scene search. It is limited to a view of the crime scene as readily observed
by the naked eye.

The ultimate value of the “narrative description” is to show to the court how the crime scene
appeared to the investigator. Of special note is the fact that the narrative description provides a
documented avenue to determine if any evidence or crime scene condition has been inadvertently
disturbed as a result of a later detailed crime scene search. Sometimes, it is extremely important to
establish, for example, whether a sheet of paper on the floor of a room was part of the original condition
at the crime scene or was mistakenly dropped by a member of the investigation. The information
gathered by the narrative description will permit such a question to be resolved.

The “narrative description” can be prepared in a variety of ways. The three common modes of
preparing a “narrative description” are handwritten notes, audio tape recording, and videotaping. Each
of these methods has inherent capabilities and limitations which should be realistically considered prior
to use. For example, videotape equipment can record both the sights and sounds at the crime scene.
However, the system, in a way “hears and sees all,” which include irrelevant or “off-the-cut” statements
or action on the part of the investigator. Therefore, both advantages and disadvantages must be
explored before a selection is made. In keeping with this thought, the investigator must ensure that the
“narrative description” presents realistic, accurate, and unbiased and portrayal of the crime scene. It
must stand the test of credibility and admissibility in the courtroom.

GENERAL STAGES OF CRIME SCENE

Of utmost importance in the crime scene search is a proper framework or procedure which
should be adhered to by all investigators. One of the major considerations facing the investigator is the
development of a general scheme which can be used as basic guidelines to proceed. Despite standard
operating procedures which have been developed by the various law enforcement agencies, there still
remains a series of events which must transpire in any crime scene search.

The basic steps through a crime scene search normally progresses are as follows: 1) approach
the crime scene; 2) secure and protect the crime scene; 3) preliminary survey of the crime scene; 4)
narrative description of the crime scene; 5) photographing the crime scene; 6) sketching the crime
scene; 7) evaluation of latent fingerprint evidence; 8) evaluation of physical evidence and clue
materials; 9) detailed crime scene search; 10) collection, recording, marking, and preservation of
physical evidence and clue materials; 11) final survey to ensure that conditions of the crime scene have
been documented as thoroughly as possible; and 12) release of the crime scene.
 The investigator who is in the act of responding to a crime scene should be alert for a variety of
things which may ultimately connect to the conduct of investigation. People, motor vehicles, and objects
observed by the investigator may provide details concerning the crime and the suspect responsible for
it. For example, physical evidence and clue materials can be discarded along a gateway route used by
the suspect; potential witnesses may be seen along the roadside as the investigator proceeds to the
crime scene; the presence of a possible getaway motor vehicle may be discovered. In order that
pertinent information may be obtained, the investigator at the area of the crime scene should be alert
for any and all observations which, although they appear meaningless at the time, may provide the
necessary “link” to the successful solution of the case.

METHODS OF CONDUCTING CRIME SCENE SEARCH

If the crime scene is indoors, the search plan will naturally be dictated by the size of the room
and its contents. The unlimited variety of indoor situations precludes systematic discussion. Where the
scene is outdoors, one of the methods below can be selected to suit the terrain. The choice of method
is not too important, since the essential elements of success in implementing any of the suggested
schemes are the alertness, knowledge, and the experience of the participating investigators. One or
more persons can cooperate in an orderly search as long as there is a clear apparent organization and
a well-defined leadership. One person must undertake the command responsibility, and he must
inconsequence dominate the sequence. The following methods assume that three investigators are
performing the actual search.

1. Strip method
In this method, the area is blocked out in the form of a rectangle. The three searchers A, B,
and C proceed slowly at the same pace along a path parallel to one side of the rectangle.
2. Double strip method or grip method
This is a modification of the strip method. Here, the rectangle is first traversed parallel to the
base and then parallel to a side.
3. Spiral method
The three searchers follow each other along the path of a spiral, beginning from the outside
and spiraling in toward the center.
4. Zone method
One searcher is assigned to each subdivision of a quadrant. Depending on the size of the
area, each quadrant is cut into another set of quadrants.
5. Wheel method
In this method, the area is considered as being approximately circular. The searchers gather
at the center and proceed outward along the 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 vast extent of the relative area to be observe as the
searchers depart from the center.
 PRECAUTIONS IN THE CRIME SCENE SEARCH

The investigator should employ imagination as well as thoroughness in his search. For example,
in searches of indoor crime scenes, the following are typical of the points that should not be overlooked:
cracks in the floor, new paint or plaster, light fixtures, closets, clothing, shades, draperies, door locks,
casings, sills, stairs, banisters, garbage pails, toilets, fuse boxes, asbestos lining of pipes, washing
machines, vacuum cleaners, and so forth.

EVALUATION OF THE CRIME SCENE

During the crime scene search, the discovery of physical evidence will be guided merely by the
order of path and time. Clues and evidentiary traces will have been collected and preserved without
specific regard for their relation to the crime. With the completion of the main search, the investigator
should devote some time to developing a directive principle to determine the significance of evidence.
Thus far, the clue or trace material has been viewed by the discoverer as an abnormality, a thing
which is foreign to the scene or simply out of its accustomed place. Its logical position in the
investigative pattern may not as yet be clear. It serves to identify or it belongs to the relation of cause
and effect. What exactly does the evidence prove or partly prove? What additional evidence must be
looked for to supplement the proof-to definitely establish an element of identity? What norm must be
employed to give coherence and patterns to the collected evidence?

To answer these questions, the investigator must carefully study the materials to determine
their significance and probative use. Basically, he is searching for two kinds of evidence. In the first
category are those facts and materials that establish the elements of proof. This may show that a
crime has been committed; that a certain person committed a crime; or that it was committed in a
certain manner, which indicates the degree of the crime or specific offense and also reveals the
modus operandi of criminal.

Other evidence, or the same evidence looked at in a different light, may serve to trace the
criminal. Such evidence is of the second category.

RECONSTRUCTING THE CRIME SCENE

Subsequent to the search of the crime scene, an effort should be made to determine from the
appearance of the place and its object what actually occurred. Particularly, what were the movements
and methods of the criminal? These constitutes part of the modus operandi? The process of
ascertaining the circumstances of the crime is known as reconstructing the crime. It may include a
physical reproduction of the positions of articles and persons during the occurrence. From the study of
the evidence in this manner, useful inferences may be made and synthesized into a reasonable theory.

1. Physical Construction
If possible, the investigator should reconstruct the physical appearance of the crime scene
from the description of witnesses and the indications of the physical evidence. If the lighting
and weather conditions are relevant, the reconstruction should be accomplished at the same
time of the and under comparable weather conditions. The witnesses should be requested
to reenact their movements while other persons assume the positions of the participants.
2. Mental Reconstruction
From the reenactment of the occurrence and the reconstruction of the arrangement of the
physical objects, some conclusions can now be made concerning the consistency of the
 account of the various witnesses. In reconstructing the actions of the criminal, the investigator
should test his theory for logic and consistency. A theory should not be rejected merely
because the investigator might not under the circumstances behave in a similar manner.
The study should be conducted from the point of view of the criminal. No assumptions should
be made concerning actions which are not supported by evidence. The theory finally
developed by the investigator should provide a line of investigative action, but should not be
stubbornly pursued in the face of newly discovered facts that are not consistent with it.
OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCOVERY OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

The crime scene provides a major opportunity to locate physical evidence the perpetrator may
leave behind such evidence as fingerprints, blood, clothing fiber, and personal items. Depending on
the circumstances, the perpetrator unwittingly may have carried physical evidence from the crime
scene. In such a case, a comparison of samples should be obtained from both victim and the crime
scene area. This would mean samples of the victim’s blood, hair, and fibers of clothing, as well as of
carpets, upholstery, or blankets. The initial responses should be regarded as the only chance to
recognize, record, and collect physical evidence. The investigator must make the most of it. Police
should not relinquish control over the crime scene and its environs until all evidence has been
discovered and collected. Later, legal difficulties may be created because pertinent evidence was not
recognized or collected initially.

OTHER SOURCES OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

In addition to the crime scene, there are two other possible sources of physical evidence: 1) the
clothing and body of the victim, if not at the crime scene; and 2) the suspect: body, clothing, weapon,
vehicle, house, garage, or other area or article under his or her control. Whatever the source-crime
scene, victim, or suspect-the basic precepts governing the discovery, reservation, and collection of
physical evidence apply equally.

DISCOVERY OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

It should be noted that before any physical evidence can be collected and transported, it must
be recognized as such. Recognition is a routine matter when clue materials are familiar, like bullets,
cartridge casing, tool marks, and blood. When materials are unfamiliar, recognition depends on the
investigator’s education, training and imagination. Other law enforcement agencies today have
technicians and scientific equipment available for collecting and preserving physical evidence.

RECORDING OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

For a number of prisons, it is essential upon arrival to record the investigative evidence
or clue materials that were noted during search of the crime scene:

1. Writing an official report of the day’s activities provides a record of information that will be
useful later for jogging the memory and assuring accuracy.
2. Details that the criminalists can use for reconstructing the crime or developing associate
evidence would be available.
3. As an investigation progresses and the suspect witness makes statements, some aspects of
the crime scene which did not initially appear significant can become important. A record made
before everything was disturbed will permit such a reevaluation.
4. Records are useful in preparing for the interrogation of the suspect.
 5. Defense lawyers will be curious about where and when the evidence was found and by whom.
The investigator’s preparations for cross examination should begin at this early stage, not
delayed until the trial date is set.
6. The effectiveness of courtroom testimony is enhanced when more than mere memory is
available to recall events.

Methods of recording the situation, condition, and physical evidence found at the crime scene
include: notes, photographs, and sketches. Another method now used by some agencies
requires video equipment, such as camcorder equipped with at least 8:1 power zoom lens with
macro capability that functions even when lighting conditions are poor. This means that the
camera is rated to function to a minimum of three lux. Each method has a distinct value in that
it supplements the others. In general, however, all three should be used to document the crime
scene.

EQUIPMENT USE IN CRIME SCENE SEARCH

A small kit containing a number of items useful for each of the hereunder activities:

1. Preservation of Evidence
The equipment for this purpose consists essentially of containers, such as bottles, envelopes,
test tubes, pins, and thumb tacks. To label and seal the evidence, there are be evidence tags,
gummed labels, sealing wax, and grease pencils.

2. Sketching
Sketching equipment consist of: 1) measuring devices such as compass, steel tape, and ruler:
and 2) recording implements such as chalk, graph paper, a sketching pad, clip board, and a paper
pad for note-taking. The crime scene will, of course, also be recorded photographically: Cameras,
however, will ordinarily be contained in a separate kit.

3. Collection of Evidence
This will include tools such as cutting pliers, knife, screw driver, and shears, as well as
tweezers, scalpel, forceps, and a medicine dropper. Fingerprint equipment, such as powders and
lifting tape, should be included.

4. Searching
Equipment for searching the crime scene consist simply of a flashlight and magnifier.

FINAL SURVEY OF THE CRIME SCENE

Following the crime scene search, and the extensive collection of the physical evidence and clue
materials, there must be a final survey. The purpose of this survey is to review all the circumstances
from the beginning of the crime scene search process. All elements of the crime must be reviewed and
compared with one central idea-has the crime scene search effort considered all possibilities of telling
the "story" of the crime? This introspective approach may prevent important evidence from being
missed, critical notes, photographs, and sketch from being neglected, or obvious facts from being
overlooked. In the inherent stress and confusion of a crime scene search, time is needed to review all
observations made and the actions taken.
 RELEASE OF THE CRIME SCENE

Upon full competition of the introspective final survey, there must be a decision to release the
crime scene. This decision should be formal and official. It should leave no room for misinterpretation.
The authority for this decision should rest with the person who is in charge of the crime scene search.
It is common knowledge that a formal declaration of release must be made. Persons involved will realize
that the job remains unfinished until they are otherwise informed. When considering a decision relating
to release, input from various components of the crime scene search must be accepted. Release will
then be evaluated on the basis of information and upon advice from each area of responsibility. In this
way, the formal release of the crime scene becomes a specific joint effort, indicating that all reasonable
action to ensure completeness has been exercised.

BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES

Soriano, O.G., (2008). Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation – Principles and Procedures.

Great Books Publishing: Quezon City