Scientific aids to Criminal Investigation n.
Photomicrography and the microscopic examination
of miscellaneous matters requiring a consideration of
PNP Crime Laboratory Command minute details
1. Forensic Chemistry o. Substances and traces of substances for
2. Medico-legal identification and correlation
3. Firearms investigations
4. Questioned documents p. Many others
5. Dactyloscopy
6. Photography Reminders
7. Polygraph
a. It is the duty of the officer who takes the material to dispatch
The services of the staff and the facilities of the PNPCLSC are it to the expert so that it can be traced from hand to hand
available to NBI agents in matters relating to crime. The services until it reaches the laboratory in such a way as to satisfy a
cover: judicial court that no unauthorized person had the chance to
tamper with it or make any substitution
1. Cooperation in certain cases with investigating operatives in
the search of crime scenes to ensure the collection if all b. It is also his duty to see to it that the material is handled as
materials which may yield evidence under scientific little as possible before it is properly packed.
examination, and the submission of these materials to
experts best qualified to undertake their examination Principles to be applied in judging the value of scientific
evidence:
2. Preparation of photographs, plans and scale models of scenes
of crimes or serious accidents as an aid to the presentation of 1. If the material collected is common or widespread, its value
the evidence. Also, reproduction of suspect’s faces. as evidence is small, unless something peculiar can be found.
3. The scientific examination. This may cover: 2. As a general rule, the rarer and less widely distributed a
substance or material, the greater its value as evidence when
a. Remains of deceased whose death is under it is found in the course of an examination.
investigation
3. The discovery of a number of materials, if taken singly, may
b. Injuries suspected to have been caused by a criminal have love evidentiary value, but when taken collectively,
group their value as evidence may be great.
c. Firearms, bullets and cartridge shells
d. Fingerprints, palm prints and DNA
e. Documents including those handwritten or
typewritten The search for materials
f. Laundry and dry cleaner’s marks 1. In every case, the first police officer at the scene of the crime
should immediately take steps to avoid the loss of useful
g. Clothing and textiles in general traces.
h. Broken windows, headlamps and windscreen and the 2. Ensure that no unauthorized person approaches the scene.
comparison of fragments of broken glass.
3. All persons, including members of household where the
i. Foot and shoe impressions crime was committed, should immediately be warned not to
touch or disturb anything.
j. Tool impressions
4. In cases of serious crimes, a guard should, if possible be
k. Counterfeit coins, notes and counterfeiting materials posted to prevent entry to a room or house.
l. Rope and wire 5. If committed in the open, all access to the scene of the crime
should be prevented and care taken to protect from the
m. Metal articles such as motor car engines and chassis, weather any tracks (footprints, stains, etc.) which may be
bicycles, wireless sets and tools of trade, wooden discovered.
objects such as axe handles and carpentry tools to
restore erased or obliterated numbers or brands. 6. The officer examining the crime scene should carefully write
down notes of the scene and its condition. All subsequent
activities and discoveries should also be noted in writing.
7. Photographs. Write down and indicate or sketch the exact
place and height from which any photograph is taken
8. Sketch (especially in major violent, sensationalized crimes
and accidents)
9. Insist on a systematic search, that is, the examination or
search should be done in a definite order, methodically, not
in a haphazard manner, whether inside a building or in the
open.
10. In your search consider:
a. The line of approach and departure as well as the scene
of the crime itself.
b. Obstacles such as fences, hedges, walls, barbed wires,
railings, fall pipes, window sashes and anything that has
been moved.
c. Protuberances and rough edges
d. All places which are likely to have been overlooked by
the criminal in clearing up after the crime, such as under
the edges of tables.
e. Walls, ceilings and floors. It may be necessary to take
out floorboards since liquids such as blood may easily
run between the boards.
