February 3, 2024

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

CRIME SCENE( (Definition)

- It is a place of evidence leading to where a solution for a crime may be found
- It could be a location (indoors, outdoors)
- It can be more than one crime scene (death scene – burial site)

Primary and Secondary Crime Scene (significance is only designation for the chronological
order of the crime).

Case: MMSU Student that was murder where the body was found in Sarrat. But the place was
not the primary crime scene (where she was killed)

Macroscopic vs Microscopic

Macroscopic - body, wounds, ground around the body

Microscopic - “trace evidence” e.g. Tire tread marks, gunpowder around the wound
- They help us give us clues how the crime is committed

Murder Crime Scene

- It would depend how we would see the crime as a whole
Rape Crime Scene
- Microscopic

The goal of a crime scene investigation is to:

Establish what crime is committed (Is it rape? Is it robbery?). This would help the prosecutor in
filing the information (what kind of crime would be filed?).
Establish when the crime was committed
Establish who committed it
Establish how it was committed
*Establish why it was committed (what is the motive)

Types of Information:
1. Information on the Corpus Delicti
a. Corpus Delicti is the BODY OF THE CRIME NOT THE OBJECT OF THE
CRIME. It is the meat/elements of the crime.
b. What is the evidence of the crime?
i. E.g. in murder, the corpus delicti is not the body of the victim, it is the
evidence (that is, the weapon); in drug cases, it is the drug evidence.
2. Information on the Modus Operandi
 a. “a particular way or method of doing something, especially one that is
characteristic or well-established.”
3. Identification of Suspect

Case: The question would be is it suicide? mere shooting incident? murder or homicide?

Crime Scene Investigation + Forensic Examination

Models in Crime Scene Investigation

1. Police Officers (Traditional Type) - with investigating experience
2. Crime Scene Technicians (Civilian Personnel; Non-commission officers of the PNP) -
there is scientific and technical expertise; Scientific
a. They are the components of SOCO
3. Crime Squad - full-time officers
4. Lab Crime Scene Scientists - scientific
5. Collaborative Team (all)**

The prosecutors are mandated to participate in Crime Scene Investigation.

Crime Scene Documentation

1. Note-Taking
a. There are guidelines
2. Videography
a. There are guidelines
3. Photography
a. In a clockwise pattern
4. Sketching

A search-pattern is done:
1. Link-method - most common and most productive method
2. Ray Method - go around the evidence
3. Grid Method (you have to look at every grid)
4. Line (walk through the line; follow a certain line; advisable for inexperienced searchers)
5. Spiral (for outdoors; not used indoors since it is only a limited space)
6. Zone Method (divided into zones; best used in defined areas; divide the searching in
zones)

EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION

MEDICO-LEGAL IDENTIFICATION
 - It is the determination of the individuality of a person

Importance of identifying a person:

1. In the prosecution of a crime, the identity of the offender and victim
2. Settlement of estates, retirement, insurance
3. Resolves anxiety of the nest of kin
4. In some transactions – sales, release of dead body

Rules of Personal Identification:

1. Law of multiplicity of evidence in identification – greater number of similarities
2. Value of differing points of identification – fingerprints, moles
a. Visual recognition of relatives – has lesser value than fingerprints/dental
3. The longer the interval between death the more experts are needed in establishing the
identity.
4. The team to act in shortest time because it is perishable

OTHER ORDINARY METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION

1. Characteristics which may be easily changed:

- Growth of hair, beard

- Clothing
- Frequent place to visit
- Grade of profession
- Body ornamentations

2. Charcteristics which may not be easily changed

- Mental memory
- Speech
- Gait
- Mannerism
- Handedness
- Hands and feet
- Complexion
- Changes in the eyes
- Facies
- Degree of Nutrition

Other points of identification:

- Occupational Marks
 - Race
- Statute
- Tattoo Marks
- Weight – although not a good point since it changes from time to time
- Deformities, injuries leaving permanent deformities
- Birthmarks, moles, scars.
- Tribal marks

3. Anthropometry

- Alfonse Bertillon(French Criminologist) = developer

- Utilizes anthropometric measurement of the human body for identification
- Measurement of human body as a basis of identification

Basis:
1. Human skeleton is unchangeable after 20 years
2. No two human beings have the same exact bones
3. Use of simple instrument

- It is based on the fact that we have stopped growing at the age of 20 (so we do not grow
anymore)
- The measurement of our skeleton is fixed.
- It is impossible for two human beings having the same exact bone measurement.(only
once in history) - uses simple body measurement.
- They record your necessary body descriptions (e..g color of hair, eyes, complexion, etc)
- With these measurements, they could identify the cadaver
- But this is not popular in the Philippines

4. Portrait Parle (Spoken Picture); Photographic Identification

- Refers to the sketch of the perpetrator based on the description given by the witnesses.
- Cartographic sketches.
- The witness will be required to describe the perpetrator.
- “Rogue’s Gallery” they are made of pictures which includes cartographic sketches
- Sometimes, this is the only basis for identification. Now, they make it more scientific by
making it computerized. (with a 3d picture).
- It can be manually and computer-assisted
- Descriptions are asked in order to simulate or properly produce a sketch or a picture or
an illustration of the perpetrator.
- The illustration will be compared to the rogue’s gallery

Photographic Identification: People v. Nunez; People v. Teehankee

- Whenever we use photographs in identification
- These doctrines are strictly used or construed against the State
SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION

FINGERPRINTING

- Dactyloscopy
- It is the art of identification by comparison of fingerprints
- It is the study and utilization of fingerprints
- When it is recorded: Dactylography
- It is the most valuable method of identification because of:
- (1) there are no two identical fingerprints (even identical twins)
- (2) fingerprints are not changeable; they are formed in the 4th month of
pregnancy in the fetus. During the latter and after birth, there are no changes in
the friction ridges. It will not change until we die.
- Case of “John Dilinger” = he wanted to burn his fingerprints with acid, but as long as the
dermis is not destroyed, fingerprints go back.
- “Biometrics” system helps in this method of identification

Practical use of Fingerprint Identification:

- It helps us in identifying the identity of dead bodies and unknown and missing
persons
- Fingerprints found in crime scenes associate persons or weapons to the crime
scene (e.g. Robbery, if the fingerprint of a person is found on the crime scene,
then most probably, that person is the perpetrator)
- Prints and files are useful for comparative purposes and knowledge of previous
criminal records
- Among illiterates, a thumb print is a recognized substitute for signature. (In PH,
we use right thumb, but it depends on the culture)

Methods of Producing Impressions in Fingerprint Identification:

1. Plain method - when it is pressed on a surface

2. Rolled method - the thumb or other fingers are rolled in the paper or surface

Kinds of Impressions:

1. Real Impression
a. You intentionally make an impression on a paper or a surface.
2. Chance Impression
a. Fingerprints are impressed by mere chance and without intention
b. This is usually done when you touch something.
 c. Whenever we touch something colored and touch another surface which does
not absorb it.
d. But even if we do not touch something with color, we have sebaceous glands
which is produced by the skin (through the pores) and this could also produce an
impression as long as the surface does not absorb the material,

Classes of Chance Impression

1. Visible Print - it is visible without a previous treatment (e.g. fingers are smeared with
colored substance)
2. Plastic Print - made by the fingerprint in certain plastics (e.g. melted paraffin, cellophane,
plastic tape); your fingers are not smeared with any other substance it is just the oil
produced by the fingers; visible without any treatment
3. Latent Print - these are prints not visible after impression but it is made visible after
adding certain substances (e.g. aluminum powder, plaster in paris); it is developed and
lifted up.

Patterns (good to know; not need to know)

- The examiner or expert (dactylographer) has to look at fingerprint patterns

- They have a database for comparison (based on the Locard-Exchange Principle).

1. Arches
2. Loop
a. Radial
b. Ulnar
3. Whorl
a. It is a combination of two irregular patterns
b. It is more irregular as compared to a composite
4. Composite
a. It is a combination of two types (e.g. loop and an arch)

HANDWRITING

- What is our concern is how it will be appreciated in Court as evidence.

- It does not have as much value as in fingerprint identification
- It may be proved by any witness who has seen a person right, in other words, it is
familiarity with the handwriting.
- An ordinary witness can use or prove this kind of evidence, hence, it is not mandatory to
use expert witness.

Bibliotics
- Science of handwriting analysis
 - Study of documents and writing materials to determine its genuineness
- “Qualified document examiner”or “Bibliotist”

Handwriting involves a complex interaction of nerves, memory, and muscular movements. It is

influenced by several factors and may be changed or modified during the lifespan of a person.

It is a conscious act but because it is repeatedly done, it becomes habitual and unconsciously
done. It is a conscious act, but the way you write becomes unconscious. Because it is habitual,
this is the basis for forged handwriting.

- When a forger imitates a handwriting, he does not do it unconsciously, he has to copy.

Therefore, there will be indications in the handwriting that gives him away and identified
as not done habitually.
- You think of what you write, not how you write.

Since this is a conscious act, to require a certain accused to copy a handwriting is

already a violation of his right against self-incrimination.
- It was considered as a violation to the right against self-incrimination although the
latter right focuses on testimonies.

Factors affecting Handwriting (causing variation in the handwriting)

- Age is a factor in changing the handwriting of a person.

- It also gives away the age of a person (i.e. children’s handwriting are different
from the adults)
- Hence the Bibliotist,has to get samples over the years to determine the
modification through the years and cinclue whether it is a person’s handwriting or
not.
- In order to prove it, specimens of handwriting have to be shown to arrive at a
conclusion at how it was modified through the years for better identification.
- Worry and Anxious
- Anger
- Insecurity (shaking)
- Drunkenness

Movements in Writing

How do we write? What is your movement?

1. Finger movement - action of the thumb, pointing finger, and middle finger. It is found in
children, illiterate and unfamiliar with the writing process.
2. Hand - action of the hand as a whole; the wrist is the center of the action.
 a. This is common in most women affecting the angle and the way of writing
3. Arm - writing made by the arm supported by the elbow
a. This is the most common
b. Many good writings are from this method.
c. That is why it is hard to write without an elbow support.
4. Whole arm movement - entire arm without any rest (e.g. blackboard)
a. It comes from the shoulder
Points in Questioned Document Examination
How examiners arrive at a conclusion on the genuineness of the document.

1. Size
2. Slant
3. Spacing
4. Proportion of the Letters
5. Speed and Rhythm
6. Shading
7. Change in position in pen hold
8. Pressure
9. Pen lift
10. Initial and terminal stroke
11. Alignment
(not exclusive)

Hence, when you forge a handwriting, it is not spontaneous and the forger would have to stop. It
is consciously done as opposed to the unconscious way of writing. The examiner would have to
look at the lack of spontaneity.

Three Classifications of Signature Forgery

1. Trace forgery - outlining a genuine signature into another paper (e.g. carbon paper)
2. Simulated forgery - an attempt to copy in a freehand manner either from memory or from
a model
3. Spurious Forgery - little to no attempt to copy a signature;

BALLISTIC SCIENCE

Ballistics - science of the motion of the projectiles

Two types of Ballistics:

● Interior ballistics - treats the motion of the projectile while still in the barrel
○ Includes the studies of the combustion of the barrel
● Exterior ballistics - treats the motion of projectiles after leaving the muzzle of the gun
○ It treats the trajectory, energy, motion
Forensic Ballistics
- This is the science of firearms identification by means of ammunition fired through them

Concepts: Firearm, Cartridge, Bullet

RA 10591 - Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act

Section 3 (l):

Firearm refers to any handheld or portable weapon, whether a small arm or light weapon, that
expels or is designed to expel a bullet, shot, slug, missile or any projectile, which is discharged
by means of expansive force of gases from burning gunpowder or other form of combustion or
any similar instrument or implement. For purposes of this Act, the barrel, frame or receiver is
considered a firearm.

- Sometimes there are homemade firearms; there are issues on whether these things
made are considered as firearms.

Cartridge is a term to describe a complete unfired unit.

- Inside is a gunpowder, primer (when fired upon by the firing pin it creates a friction and
then there’s a combustion due to the gunpowder), cartridge case, bullet.

Two most important aspect in forensic ballistics: (for purposes of identification of the
firearm)

1. Trigger (with the firing pin)

2. Barrel (with riflings - spiral carvings inside)
a. When the bullet passes through the barrel, the riflings would create STRIATIONS
3. The mark of the cartridge in the marking pin
a. Even if they are created by the same machine, they have different markings (in
terms of mark in the firing pin and striations)
b. There are differences in the mark created by the firing pin in every firearm -
Microscopic differences.

CONSIDERED: Striations and Marks Created by the Firing Pin

- With these, it can be identified or the firearm can be identified
- As long as it is duly recorded. For every recorded firearm.

Hence, crimes are committed with unregistered firearms or with a caliber .38 revolver because
the capsule would not be ejected.
In the riflings in the barrel, there are certain grooves or channels cut in the interior of the rifled
gun barrel. These riflings are used for stability and flight (the longer the barrel, the more
accurate it is and the longer the range)

When a weapon is fired, these lands and grooves cut into the bullet, putting spin on it as
it travels through the barrel of a firearm. Because bullets have an oblong shape, spin is
necessary for accurate flight.

Example:

- One jacketed fired bullet - meaning the item was fired

- The examination revealed the same classification as a .9 mm bullet; rifled; spirals
towards the left

Prosecutions give so much weight on firearms identification since they are very accurate. If you
could correlate the firearm identification with a person, the person can be linked to the crime.

PRINCIPLES IN IDENTIFYING BULLETS (to identify the type of firearms)

1. No to barrels are microscopically identical (there will always be differences)

2. When a bullet is fired from a rifled barrel, it becomes engraved by the rifling
(striations) and these engraving will vary in its minute details with every individual
bore (interior of a barrel). They will not have identical engravings.
3. Every barrel leaves its thumb mark on every bullet which is fired through it.

Comparison microscope
PRINCIPLES OF BALLISTIC EXAMINATION

- In certain Firearm Identification

- There is only one perpetrator, when only one firearm was used as shown by the bullets
recovered. If all the bullets come from one and the same firearm.

Bullet and Cartridge (empty shell)

PRINCIPLE OF IDENTIFICATION OF CARTRIDGE CASES (Empty Shells)

They leave microscopic

Firearms leaves fingerprints on every cartridge fired.

The based on the fact that since the breach phase are differing, the cartridge are imprinted with
its individuality.

There are individual characteristics. The imprints made by the breach phase are distinct from
one another.

How does the examiner conduct examinations?

- Determine what caliber
- Look at the breach marks or firing pin marks. It can be seen again under a comparison
microscope. Determine the microscopic distinctions.
- Individualities on the cartridge case.
- The breach mark can be used to identify whether it was fired in the same firearm
or not.

Lawyers rely on the findings of ballistic examiners.