Module 5:
SURVEILLANCE
1. In General. In the investigation of a certain case, a point is reached when the
investigator sometimes finds it difficult to secure leads through questioning of the
complainant and witness. In such a situation, the investigator must go to the field to
locate the criminal or, if he is known, to study his habits, movements, and possible
accomplices in the commission of the crimes.
2. Definition. Surveillance is the discreet observation of places, persons, an
vehicles for the purpose of obtaining information concerning the identities or activities of
subjects.
3. Objectives of Surveillance:
a) To detect criminal activities.
b) To discover the identity of persons who frequent the establishment and
determine their relationship.
c) To discern the habits of person who lives in or frequents place.
d) To obtain evidence of a crime or to prevent the commission of a crime.
4. Shadowing or tailing. It is the act of following a person. Its objectives are:
a) To detect evidence of criminal activities.
b) To establish the associations of suspect.
c) To find a wanted person.
d) To protect a witness.
5. Tactics. The subject should be kept unaware that he is being shadowed. He
should not be detected looking directly at the suspect. He should shift from left to right,
never remaining for long directly behind the subject. Both sides of the street should be
used. IF he suspects that the subject has become alerted to the tail, he should request
immediate removal from the assignment.
6. Note. The investigator must maintain s note or long containing a chronological
record of the activities of both the investigator and the subject. The log can be used
either in the interrogation of the suspect or for purpose of cross-examination during trial.
7. “Roping” or Undercover Work. It is form of investigation in which the
investigator assumes a different and unofficial identity (a cover story) in order to obtain
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information. The general objective of an undercover investigation is to obtain more
information.
8. Arrest of Undercover Agent. If an investigator is arrested by the police, he must
act in accordance with his orders. If he has not received orders regarding the
disclosure of his identify in case of arrest by other law enforcement offices, he must act
according to his judgement. In such a case, if retaining his assumed character does not
serve a useful purpose, The investigator should make a statement except to a member
of his own organization.
9. Preparation and Supervision of Discreet Surveillance.
a) Familiarize participating operatives with the case.
(i) Use sketches, photos and maps in the briefing.
(ii) Make a physical description of the subject(s).
(iii) Anticipate contingencies that might arise and plan what to do.
(iv) Ready coins for bus or jeepney fare and for making phone calls.
(v) Determine exits and have them covered.
(vi) Bear in mind the need to secure a search warrant on short notice.
(vii) Ready materials for recording surveillance.
(viii) Pre-arrange signals.
(ix) Maintain contact among the participants.
(x) Rotate participants and apportion their distances.
(xi) Consider the possibility of counter-surveillance.
b) Choosing proper equipment. Equipment includes motor vehicles, boats,
handcuffs, binocular, camera, radio equipment, containers for evidence, strips of neolite
and other materials for disguising motor vehicles (day or nighttime), firearms, tear gas,
etc.
DEVELOPMENTAL AND
CONTROL OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANTS
1. Confidential Informant Defined. – A confidential informant is an individual
information on a confidential basis with the understanding that his identify will not be
made known.
a) Scientific approach in criminal investigation can assist law enforcers
immeasurably, but there is always that one case wherein the crime laboratory cannot
help. This is the reason why investigator must know the man on the street, the man
who can supply information.
b) Law enforcers must develop confidential informants every day.
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2. Need for Information.
a) Informants increase accomplishments in all areas of investigation.
b) Without confidential informants, the officer’s sources of information limited to
what he gets through formal interview.
c) Informants enable law enforcers to infiltrate the criminal element and help lower
criminal morale. Advance information improves crime prevention and enables the
police to find out the identify of transient hoodlums.
d) Informants are an investigative “short cut” to make apprehension”.
3. Where to find Criminal Informants and Whom to develop.
a) Legitimate persons and criminals.
(i) Hoodlums, criminals, fences bookies, barbers, bartenders, poolroom and
dancehall operators, prostitutes, madams, pawnbrokers, cab drivers, bell hops, service
stations attendants, waitresses and others. A class in themselves are persons who had
been accused or suspected of a crime.
(ii) Persons engaged in certain occupations should be considered.
4. How to Develop Confidential Information
a) Constant need.
(i) No matter what our scientific development might be, there will always come that
time when we will need informants.
(ii) Development of confidential informants should therefore be a continuous
process.
b) Evaluation of the individual being considered as possible informant:
(i) Does he have access to information?
(ii) Can be develop the trust of his associates?
(iii) Intelligence and physical courage.
(iv) His criminal record and background.
(v) His pattern of behavior.
c) Basic considerations.
(i) Contact must be made in a neutral place. The officer making the contact should
not be in uniform or in police vehicles. Contact should be made in such a manner that
the informant’s association with the law enforcement agency will not be disclosed. Get
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the informer away from his local habitat. Call him by phone and let him set the time and
place.
(ii) Plan the Interview as to the type of “approach”. 1] Return of Favor; 2] Monetary
Consideration; 3] Appeal to prospect ego; 4] Development of “friendship” help because
the informant respects the officer”. 5] Involvement in illegal activity; 6] Fear motive; 7]
Revenge motive; 8] Perverse motive; 9] Bad publicity.
(iii) Officer’s ability. [1] Develop an informant to the point that he really respect you.
[2] Secretary in contacts cannot be over-emphasized. [3] The informant may expect a
few favors in return.
5. Use of Informants.
a) Maximum benefit. The confidential informant should be used for the maximum
benefit of the entire organization, not of only one (1) officer/investigator.
b) A designated executive should be aware of the identity of the informant. – At
least two (2) individuals in the law enforcement agency should know the identity of
confidential informant. This gives him the feeling that he is really cooperating with the
police. It is also possible that something might happen to you which would mean the
loss of the informant to the entire police force. Besides the officer who developed the
informant, it is suggested that the other be a rank-officer to give the informant a feeling
of importance.
c) Consider a program within your respective commands for the development of
informants.
(i) Keep records as to the ability of your men to develop informants.
(ii) Keep records as to the accomplishments of each of the informants. This should
tell you who among the informants should be discarded.
(iii) Keep record as to fugitive apprehend, loot recovered, and cases given to you.
(iv) Maintain a tickler system to review your informant’s contribution to your
command.
UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION
1. Preparation for undercover work should be sufficiently thorough:
a) To preclude compromise.
b) To minimize danger to the undercover operative.
c) To ensure the ultimate success of the investigation.
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2. Undercover investigation should not be attempted until other investigative
techniques have failed or are deemed impractical.
3. Factors to consider before undercover investigation is initiated.
a) The exact result desired.
b) Jurisdiction.
c) The importance of the investigation.
d) Available planning information.
e) Availability of qualified personnel.
f) The equipment and preparation necessary.
g) Danger to the investigator involved.
4. General and Specific Qualification. – Undercover work as a selective assignment
requires that the investigator possess, in addition to certain general qualifications,
specific qualifications required in the type of investigation being conducted.
a) General qualification:
(i) Well trained and experienced.
(ii) A calm collected and resourceful individual with good judgement and wit.
(iii) Complete self-confidence to feel certain that he can successfully play the part of
the character he will assume.
(iv) Courage and ability to meet unforeseen situation with quick, sound decision.
(v) Ability to avoid unwise entanglements with women involved in the case or
associated with the subject.
b) Specific qualification:
(i) Ability to act out an assumed role.
(ii) Good memory in an investigation in which no notes can be taken or reports
submitted.
(iii) Skill adaptable to the occupation assumed.
(iv) Physical appearance and capabilities consistent with his assumed qualifications.
(v) Well-grounded in the lingo and technique of the subject’s criminal operations.
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(vi) In special situations, the underworld investigator should possess certain linguistic
abilities, hobbies, sports, musical talent and personal background for the particular
undercover assignment.
5. Authority for undercover operations must be from the top officer of the
organization, for this may require coordination with other agencies.
6. The undercover operation must be known to the fewest number of persons.
Otherwise, the investigation of the operative himself might be jeopardized.
7. The background or cover story regarding the assumed identify of the undercover
operative must be such that he can easily win the confidence of the suspect or
organization sought to be infiltrated and should seldom be wholly fictitious.
8. Badge and credentials must never be carried.
9. A weapon should only be carried if it is consistent with the background story.
10. Provide safe communication systems between the undercover agent and Hqs
relaying information or instructions.
11. Arrangement for drops and safehouses must be made and if necessary, the
undercover operative himself may be placed under surveillance.
12. The undercover operative must never pose as a criminal unless no other
approach appears adequate.
13. The role of the undercover operative is to gather information or evidence against
the suspect(s) or the organization, never to instigate the commission of a crime.
14. Plans for the operation must provide actions or alternatives in case the
undercover operative is arrested.
15. Reminders to the undercover operatives:
a) Act as natural as possible.
b) Do not overplay the part.
c) Do not indulge in any activity which is not in conformity with the assumed identity.
d) Do not make notes unless they are to be mailed or passed immediately. (Use
codes and never place return address in letters and envelopes.)
e) Do not use intoxicants to play the part.
f) Limit association with women to that necessary to play the part.
Methods of Crime Scene Search
(i) Strip Search Method
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ILLUSTRATION 1
In this method, the area is blocked out in the form of rectangle. The three (3) searches
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 as shown in the above illustration.
(ii) Double Strip Search Method
ILLUSTRATION 2
The double strip or grid method of search is a modification of the Strip Search Method
(illustration 1). Here the rectangle is traversed first parallel to the base then parallel to a
side.
(iii) Spiral Search Method
In this method, the three searches follow each other along the path of a spiral,
beginning on the outside and spiraling in toward the center.
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(iv) Zone Search Method
In this method, one search is assigned to each subdivision of a quadrant,
then each quadrant is cut into another set of quadrants.
In this method of search, the area is approximately circular. The searches gather 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 searches. One
shortcoming of this methods is the great increase in the area to be observed as the
searcher depart from the center.
Final Sketch Sample
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Rough Sketch Sample
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MODULE 6:
INTERVIEW AND
INTERROGATION
A. INTERVIEW
1. Interview Defined. – An interview is the questioning of a person believed to
possess knowledge that is of official interest to the investigator.
2. Importance of Interview. – Interview in crime investigation is very importance as
the person interviewed usually gives hi account of an incident under investigation of
offers information concerning a person being investigated in his own manner and words.
Basic Assumption: Nobody must talk to law enforcers. No law compels a person to
talk to the police if he does not want to. Therefore, people will have to be persuaded,
always within legal and ethical limits, to talk to law enforcers. This makes interviewing
an art.
3. The Interviewer’s Personal Traits.
a) He must be a practical psychologist who understand the human psyche and
behavior.
b) He has a sincere interest in people. People who are reclusive generally are not
good interviews.
c) He is calm, has self-discipline and sensitive.
d) He is courteous, decent and sensitive.
e) He is self-assured and professional. He is tactful, i.e., he knows what to say and
how to say it.
f) He is cordial and agreeable, and never officious. But he should avoid over-
familiarity.
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g) He is purposeful, persistent, and patient. Some people just cannot be rushed.
h) He is analytical.
i) He is flexible and cautions.
j) He is a good actor and can conceal his own emotion.
k) He avoids third degree tactics and never deviates from the fundamental principle
that a person must be treated according to humanitarian and legal receipts.
l) He keeps the rules of evidence in mind.
4. Opening the interview.
a) The interview should identify himself and the agency to which he belongs.
b) He should try to size up the interviewee and reach a tentative conclusion about
his types, then use the best interview approach.
c) He should keep in mind the provision of law regarding the rights of people under
custody investigation.
5. The body of the Interview.
a) The interviewee should be allowed to tell his own story in his own words without
interruption.
(i) This allows for continuity and clearness.
(ii) Range of interview is broadened.
(iii) It helps the interviewee on the matter later.
b) Interviewee should keep to the point at issue and should not wander too far from
it.
c) Interviewer should be alert for hearsay information so he can question the
interviewee on the matter later.
d) Do not interrupt a trend of ideas by abruptly asking a question.
e) However, you may guide the interviewee with innocious questions such as, “And
then what did you do?”
B. INTERROGATION
I. IN GENERAL
1. Interrogation Defined. – An interrogation is the questioning of a person
suspected of having committed an offense or of a person who is reluctant to make a full
disclosure of information in his possession which is pertinent to the investigation.
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2. Purpose of Interrogation:
a) To obtain information concerning the innocence or guilt of a suspect.
b) To obtain a confession to the crime from a guilty suspect.
c) To induce the suspect to make admissions.
d) To know the surrounding circumstances of a crime.
e) To learn of the existence and location of physical evidence such as documents or
weapons.
f) To learn the identify of accomplices.
g) To develop information which will lead to the fruits of the crime.
h) To develop additional leads for the investigation.
i) To discover the details of any other crime in which the suspect participated
Interrogation Techniques. -- The following are some of the techniques practiced by
experienced investigation.
a) Emotional Appeals – 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.
b) Sympathetic Approach – The suspect may feel the need for sympathy of
friendship. He is apparently in trouble. Gestures of friendship may win his cooperation.
c) Kindness – The simplest technique is to assume that the suspect will confess if
he is treated in a kind and friendly manner.
d) Extenuation – The investigator indicates he does not consider his subject’s
indiscretion a grave offense.
e) 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. The trouble with the suspect lies in his little weakness –
he likes liquor, perhaps, or he is excessively fond of girls, or he has had a bad run of
luck in gambling.
f) Mutt & 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.
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Physiological Symptoms of Guilt:
(i) Pulsation of the carotid (neck) artery.
(ii) Excessive activity of the Adam’s Apple.
(iii) Avoiding the eyes of the interrogator, swinging one leg over the other, foot
wiggling, winging of the hands, tapping of fingers, picking fingernails, etc.
(iv) Dryness of the mouth.
(v) Swearing to the truthfulness of assertions. This is frequently used by guilty
subjects to strength their assertions of innocence.
(vi) “Spotless past Record” – “Religious Man.” These are asserted to support
statement which the subject knows, and realizes the interrogator knows, to be false.
(vii) A “Not that I Remember” or “As far As I know” expression should be treated as a
veiled admission or half-truth.
Searches of Persons Arrested.
a) “Probe”, do not “pat”.
(A woman operative should be used to search females.)
b) The need to handcuff subject(s). Dangerous and violent criminals, as well as
escapes from prisons and escapes artists, must be handcuffed.
c) Do not stop the search when a weapon is found.
d) Look for items which may be used to commit suicide.
e) Look for items of evidence.
f) Searches should never cross the line of fire.
g) Do not talk to subject(s) in the sourse of the search.
h) Do not grant subject’s request to attend to something before, during and immediately
after the search.
I) In a search by a single officer, have the gun ready with the hand at a distance from
the subject.
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j) Be sure to search avery part of the body and clothing.
Types of Searches:
a) Wall Search. The purpose is to place the subject in an “off-balance” position
requiring the use of both arms and legs to keep him from falling to the ground. This is
the safest type of search. It does not necessarily require a wall; any object that can
support the weight of the subject (such as a car) can be used. The procedure is:
(I) Requiring subject to place both hands on the wall slightly higher than his waist.
Spread hands as far as possible. Palms should be placed against the wall, finger
extended.
(ii) Extended the subject’s feet back away from the wall as far as possible. Spread
them as far apart as possible, toes pointed out. Buttocks should not be on an arched
position.
(iii) The subject’s head should be down or always bowed.
(iv) Mechanics in executing the “Wall Search”:
[1] If there is only one subject, the leader of the search should be placed himself at one
side, while his subordinate is on the other side.
[2] To search the other side, the subordinate should move to the opposite side.
[3] If there are two or three subjects, move one subject to be searched on the wall, but
out of reach of the others.
[4] Search both sides of subject, the leader conducting the searches and the
subordinate guarding the others.
[5] Move one subject at a time.
[6] Subject’s head should be always down.
[7] The subordinate should concentrate on the actions of the subjects and not the action
of the leader.
[8] When there are more than three subjects, additional personnel should be
summoned.
[9] In serious apprehensions, the searches should hold his weapon in ready position
throughout the search.
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[10] The body must be searched systematically with the foot of the searcher placed
tightly against subject’s foot, right with right, left with left, anklebone against anklebone.
[11] remove any object found, then examine the palm of the hand, including between
the fingers.
b) Standing Search.
(I) Raise subject’s hand over his head and spread his feet as far apart as possible.
(ii) This is not recommended because the subject is in an “on-balance” position.
c) Kneeling Search.
(I) Subject kneels on the ground with hands raised over his head.
(ii) This is also discouraged for the same reason as the “standing search”.
d) Prone Search.
(I) Subject lies on his stomach with arms and legs outstretched.
(ii) Subject has both arms and legs free and is always in an “on-balance” position.
(iii) Front part of clothing cannot be searched.
(iv) This can be extremely dangerous if the subject has known martial arts experties
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