PNP SOP on Crime Scene Investigation Procedures

Policy, purpose, and intent

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) is treated as one of the most critical stages of criminal investigation because early actions by First Responders, Investigators, and the SOCO Team strongly affect the outcome.
CSI is recognized as both vital for collecting forensic evidence and prone to errors due to its early chaotic nature.
The SOP is issued to fix confusion from unclear delineation of functions among the First Responder (FR), Investigator-on-Case (IOC), and the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) Team.
The SOP establishes a protocol to lay down functions, responsibilities, and accountabilities of each CSI team member.
The SOP directs that the IOC has the primary responsibility over the crime scene, takes control, and supervises the overall crime scene investigation.
The SOP aims to ensure that all potential physical evidence is properly preserved and collected, witnesses are identified and documented, and basic procedures are undertaken properly to support admissibility in court.

Coverage and application scope

The SOP applies to all crime scene investigation undertaken by the PNP.
The SOP provides procedures to be observed by the First Responders (FRs), Investigators-on-Case (IOC), and SOCO Teams.
The SOP requires observance of the CSI reports formats that the FRs, IOC, and SOCO Teams must prepare.
The SOP also provides that the procedure shall be observed by Special Investigation Task Groups (SITG).

Operative definitions for CSI

Crime Scene means a venue or place where the alleged crime/incident/event has been committed.
Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) means a comprehensive inquiry conducted through systematic investigative methodologies to recover physical and testimonial evidence for identifying witnesses and arresting perpetrators for prosecution.
CSI technically commences upon the arrival of the FRs and concludes with the lifting of the security cordon and release of the crime scene by the IOC.
First Responder (FR) means members of the PNP or other law enforcement agencies who are mandated and expected to be the first to respond to calls for assistance in incidents of crime, generally police officers with jurisdiction who proceed to render assistance to victims and protect and secure the incident scene.
Criminal Investigator means a Police Officer tasked to conduct the investigation of criminal cases under the Revised Penal Code/Criminal Laws and Special Laws, described as well-trained, disciplined, and experienced in criminal investigation duties.
Investigator-on-Case (IOC)/Duty Investigator means any PNP personnel duly designated or assigned to conduct the inquiry using systematic procedures and methodologies for identifying witnesses, recovering evidence, and arresting and prosecuting perpetrators; the IOC assumes full responsibility over the crime scene during CSI.
Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) means a forensic procedure performed by trained personnel of the PNP Crime Laboratory SOCO Team through scientific methods to preserve the crime scene, gather information, document, collect, and examine physical and other forensic evidence.
After SOCO Report means a report rendered and prepared by the SOCO Team Leader of the PNP Crime Laboratory that conducted the scene of crime operations.
Crime Scene Search means a systematic method employed by the SOCO Team (if the case is sensational or sensitive) and the IOC to find and recover evidence in the crime scene and surrounding areas, using methods such as strip search, double strip search, spiral search, zone or quadrant search, wheel method, etc.
Evidence means means sanctioned by the Rules of Court for ascertaining truth in a judicial proceeding, including documentary, testimonial, electronic, and object evidence gathered in investigation.
Physical Evidence is evidence capable of being exhibited, examined, or viewed by the court, including fingerprints, body fluids, explosives, hazardous chemicals, soil/burned debris, bombs, and electronic parts used in the commission of the crime.
Forensic Evidence is a form of legal evidence used in court to convict a person of a crime and as a category of public presentation.
Jurisdiction means jurisdiction over the subject matter only, unless an exception arises due to broader use in the Constitution and statutes.

Core CSI policy and sequence

CSI is treated as post-incident police operational procedures that presuppose the crime has been consummated and requires starting with securing and processing the place of occurrence.
CSI runs from the arrival of the FRs until the lifting of the security cordon and release of the crime scene by the IOC.
CSI is intended to minimize common investigation mistakes that cause evidence contamination or destruction and help ensure no potential witnesses are overlooked.
CSI requires procedures to be conducted to ensure efficient and effective collection and admissibility in court.
CSI is designed to enhance the security and safety of PNP CSI personnel (FR/IOC/SOCO).
CSI is designed to address and mitigate investigation procedural weaknesses identified during case reviews.

First Responder duties (FR)

FRs are the first police officers to arrive and are dispatched by the local police station/unit after receipt of an incident/flash/alarm report.
The FR must immediately conduct a preliminary evaluation covering scope of the incident, emergency services required, scene safety concerns, administration of life-saving measures, and establishment of security and control.
The FR is mandated to save and preserve life by giving necessary first aid to the injured and facilitating medical evacuation as necessary.
The FR must secure and preserve the crime scene by cordoning the area to prevent unauthorized entry.
The FR must take the dying declaration of severely injured persons, if any.
The FR must make an initial assessment on whether a crime has actually been committed and must conduct a preliminary interview of witnesses to determine what and how the crime was committed.
If a suspect is present, the FR must arrest, detain, and remove the suspect from the area.
Upon the IOC’s arrival, the FR must turn over the crime scene to the IOC after briefing the investigator on the situation, must prepare and submit CSI Form a1a (First Responders Report) to the IOC, and must be prepared to assist the IOC.

Investigator-on-Case duties (IOC)

Upon arrival, the IOC must request a briefing from the FR and conduct a quick assessment of the crime.
The IOC must assume full responsibility over the crime scene and must conduct a thorough assessment and inquiry into the incident.
The IOC may conduct crime scene search outside the incident area using available search methods if necessary.
If the IOC determines that a SOCO team is required, the IOC must report to the COP and request a SOCO; if not required, the IOC proceeds with CSI without SOCO and uses CSI Form a4a (SOCO Report Forms) in the conduct of CSI.
If there is no Provincial Crime Laboratory Office/Regional Crime Laboratory Office in the province, the IOC may conduct CSI by himself while ensuring correct evidence-collection procedures to ensure admissibility.
The Police Station Operation Center must, upon the directive of the COP, request the SOCO team through the Provincial/City Operations Center.
The Provincial/City Operations Center must facilitate the request for the SOCO team.
Upon SOCO team arrival, the IOC must accomplish CSI Form a2a (Request for the Conduct of SOCO) and submit it to the SOCO Team Leader.
The SOCO team must not enter the crime scene unless the IOC makes the official written request assuring SOCO of IOC’s presence and support.
The IOC must brief the SOCO Team upon arrival and must jointly conduct the preliminary crime scene survey.
Before lifting the cordon, the IOC must accomplish CSI Form a6a (IOC/Investigator’s CSI Form).

SOCO team duties and evidence work

The SOCO Team must not join operations conducted by local police or accompany FRs/IOC to the crime scene.
SOCO must respond only upon request through the Operation Center and only after IOC has made proper assessment.
Upon receipt of the Request for Conduct of SOCO, the SOCO Team must conduct the scene of crime operations, including narrative description, photography, videography, crime scene search, crime scene sketch, crime scene location sketch, physical evidence recording and collection, and other necessary procedures.
If SOCO needs to temporarily suspend processing, the Chief of Police is primarily responsible and accountable for securing the crime scene, ensuring integrity, arranging return of the SOCO Team, and concluding CSI.
After termination of SOCO operations, the SOCO Team Leader must brief the IOC on initial results, and then conduct the final crime scene survey together with the IOC.
The SOCO Team must accomplish CSI Form a4a (SOCO Report Forms 1-4) and must furnish copies to the IOC before leaving the crime scene.
SOCO documentation supports the CSI process from evidence recording and collection through final survey and report furnishing.

Releasing the crime scene and post-release control

The IOC decides on the lifting of the security cordon and the release of the crime scene upon consultation with the SOCO Team Leader.
The IOC is responsible for ensuring all potential evidence were collected by the SOCO Team because any re-entry into the crime scene after release to the owner requires a Search Warrant issued by the Court.
The IOC must ensure appropriate inventory has been provided by the SOCO Team and must lift the security cordon and release the crime scene only after completion of the documentation process.
The IOC (or the COP) must turn over the crime scene to the owner of the property, or if the crime scene is a public place, to any local person in authority.
The IOC and the SOCO Team must completely fill up all forms specified in the SOP.
The IOC must accomplish and submit an Investigator’s Report with all required attachments to the COP within two (2) working days from the date of incidence.
The CSI report is the first entry in the Case Folder for the incident investigation.
The crime scene release process requires an accomplished CSI Form a5a (Release of Crime Scene Form).

Required CSI forms and how they are used

CSI Form a1a (First Responder’s Report Form) must be accomplished by the FR and must detail rank, name, initial information gathered, and anything moved in the crime scene prior to investigator arrival; the form must be signed by a witness; it must always be included as part of the FR’s kit.
CSI Form a2a (Request for the Conduct of SOCO) must be accomplished by the IOC and submitted to the SOCO Team Leader at the crime scene.
CSI Form a3a (Turn-over of Collected Evidence from IOC to SOCO Team) must be accomplished by the IOC certifying that items/physical evidence found, collected, and initially marked and inventoried by the investigator were properly turned over to the SOCO Team Evidence Custodian.
CSI Form a4a (SOCO Report Forms 1-4) must contain the initial findings of the SOCO Team and must be accomplished immediately after completion of SOCO; a copy must be provided to the IOC within 24-hour after release of the crime scene; the IOC may also use those forms in the absence of a SOCO Team.
CSI Form a5a (Release of Crime Scene Form) must be accomplished by the IOC or the COP, witnessed by the SOCO Team Leader, and confirmed by the owner of the property or a representative of local authority; a copy of the release form must be provided to the owner.
CSI Form a6a (IOC/Investigator’s CSI Form) must be accomplished by the IOC at the OSCP prior to lifting the security cordon.
The forms operate as integral case documentation, including mandatory inclusion of CSI reports in the Case Folder.

Administrative and criminal consequences; repeal

Any violation of the SOP is dealt with administratively.
All Unit Commanders are investigated under the principle of command responsibility.
If evidence further warrants, criminal complaints must be filed against those who may have committed acts or omissions that violate the Revised Penal Code or any special law.
Any issuance, memoranda, rules, or regulations issued by the PNP that are inconsistent with the SOP are deemed repealed or amended accordingly.