Csi

Crime Scene Investigation - Yap, Francis George
I. Introduction
Definition of terms
Crime Scene - A venue or place where the alleged crime/incident/event has been committed.
Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) - Is a comprehensive inquiry of a crime by conducting

systematic procedure of various investigative methodologies which involves recovery of
physical and testimonial evidence for the purpose of identifying the witnesses, and arrest of
perpetrator(s) for prosecution.
Crime scene investigation refers to the science used in determining facts during legal
proceedings. The goals and objectives of a crime scene investigations unit are the
collection, preservation, packaging, transportation, and documentation of physical
evidence left at the crime scene.
First Responder (FR) Are 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 cases of incidents
of crime. They generally refer to police officers who have jurisdiction of the area where the
incident or crime has taken place and will proceed to the crime scene to render assistance to
the victim and to protect and secure the incident scene;
Investigator-on-Case (IOC)/ Duty Investigator Shall refer to any PNP personnel who is
duly designated or assigned to conduct the inquiry of the crime by following a systematic
set of procedures and methodologies for the purpose of identifying witnesses, recovering
evidence and arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators. The IOC shall assume full
responsibility over the crime scene during the conduct of CSI;
Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) A forensic procedure performed by the trained
personnel of the PNP Crime Laboratory SOCO Team through scientific methods of
investigation for the purpose of preserving the crime scene, gathering information,
documentation, collection, and examination of all physical and other forensic evidence;
Trace evidence evidence or materials transferred to or from the crime scene.

II. Procedure Protecting, Processing, Reconstructing the scene
The CSI starts with the arrival of the FR to the arrival of the Duty Investigator/IOC and the SOCO
Team until the lifting of the security cordon and release of the crime scene.
The key principle underlying crime scene investigation is a concept that has become known as Locards
Exchange Principle. It states that whenever someone enters or exits an environment, something
physical is added to and removed from the scene. This principle is generally summed up by stating:
Every contact leaves a trace.
In general, the steps involved are:

1. Protecting
2. Processing
3. Reconstructing
1. Protecting the scene by preservation
A crime scene is often preserved by setting up a blockade to control the movement in and out of a scene
as well as maintaining the scene's integrity. The goal is to avoid contamination of the scene or
evidence. Aside from using physical barriers, investigators also use very strict procedures along with
specialized equipment to make sure that the crime scene and any evidence in it are not in anyway
contaminated with anything that may have been introduced from outside the original state of the scene.
Crime scenes are diverse and pose many different challenges to proper preservation. Contamination can
come from people mishandling the evidence, as well as various factors that can hinder investigation
such as the weather, presence of animals, harmful substances.
2. Processing the scene by collection and analysis
Crime Scene Survey
When the crime scene investigator has arrived at the crime scene and scene security has been
evaluated, the preliminary scene survey or "walk-through" should be done. The crime scene
investigator and the first responder will usually perform the scene survey together. The lead
investigator or detective, if available, can also benefit from participating.
Documentation and Collection
Before anything is touched, moved, or otherwise further investigated, documentation must be done to
record the original state of the crime scene as much as possible. This includes statements from
witnesses or any of the victims if possible. Evidence markers are placed next to each piece of evidence
allowing for organization of the evidence. Investigators also use notes and sketches to get their initial
assessments of the crime scene and establish a working timeline for the events of the incident.
After the initial stage of recording, the CSI team can then proceed to carefully collect any items that
could potentially be evidence from the crime scene. This evidence may come in many forms such as a
biological sample like blood, or everyday item like receipts or bank statements.
Evidence collected is then carefully placed in specialized packages then labeled or tagged. The chain of
custody is then used to securely transfer the evidence from the crime scene to the crime lab and
eventually to the court. The chain of custody refers to the order in which evidence is handled by
individuals who are involved in the cases investigation. The chain of custody is pertinent to the
investigation and guarantees the physical security of all evidence that is part of the case.
Analysis and Identification
Evidence collected is then given to the crime lab for the purpose of identification. Comparison testing
is often used to identify unknown samples of potential evidence, such as fingerprints, trace fibers, and
DNA samples. The goal of identification is to answer the question of what is it?
After samples are identified, they must then be individualized. This involves evaluation and
interpretation of the evidence. The value of an item may be based on many different factors, such as:
It is unique - If an item is found that helps narrow the possibilities of who might be considered a
suspect, or the manner in which a crime was committed, this evidence would be of use.
It has a low probability of occurring by chance - Considering the mathematical probabilities will help
to determine the odds that a piece of physical evidence found at the scene could appear merely by
coincidence.
It is inconsistent - If an item is found that is out of place or inconsistent with the setting, or is out of
character for the victim
It is a physical match - If trace evidence is found on the suspect or in his possession that matches
something at the scene, this makes this item valuable as evidence.
Items may point to the Corpus Delicti or Modus operandi of the crime. Each collected item may be
used to establish an essential element of the crime, or to prove the fact of such crime being actually
committed. Forensic methods can also be used to identify or narrow down the list of possible suspects.
By determining how the crime was done or modus operandi, investigators can then determine possible
motives for the crime.
3. Reconstruction
Crime scene reconstruction is the forensic science discipline in which one gains "explicit knowledge of
the series of events that surround the commission of a crime using deductive and inductive reasoning,
physical evidence, scientific methods, and their interrelationships."
the nature of crime scene reconstruction is based on scientific experimentation and experience of the
investigator. It uses the scientific method to formulate a theory, hypothesis, and conclusion about the
events of the crime using the evidence gathered.
The end goal of reconstruction is to create a presentation or theory of the crime with the least possible
doubt, making sure to use evidence that is admissible and relevant in court.
III. The CSI effect
The popularity of forensic crime television shows supposedly gives rise to many misconceptions about
the nature of forensic science and investigation procedures among jury members. The CSI effect is
hypothesized to affect verdicts in two main ways: first, that jurors expect more forensic evidence than
is available or necessary, resulting in a higher rate of acquittal when such evidence is absent; and
second, that jurors have greater confidence in forensic and particularly DNA evidence than is
warranted, resulting in a higher rate of conviction when such evidence is present. While these and
other effects may be caused by crime shows, the most commonly reported effect is that jurors are
wrongly acquitting defendants despite overwhelming evidence of guilt. In particular, prosecutors have
reported feeling pressured to provide DNA evidence even when eyewitness testimony is available.
Sources:
Marilyn T. Miller. Crime Scene Investigation
SOP National Police Commission. Standard Operating Procedure Number ODIDM 2011 - 008
CONDUCT OF CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
Ramsland, Katherine. "The CSI Syndrome". Turner Broadcasting System.
Schweitzer, NJ; Saks, MJ (12 March 2007). "The CSI Effect: Popular Fiction About Forensic Science
Affects Public Expectations About Real Forensic Science" (PDF). Jurimetrics. 47: 35764.
U.S. Department of Justice (2013). Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement.
https://definitions.uslegal.com/c/crime-scene-investigations/
http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/csi/principles.html
http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/csi/facts.cfm

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Crime Scene Investigation - Yap, Francis George

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) - Is a comprehensive inquiry of a crime by conducting

Trace evidence evidence or materials transferred to or from the crime scene.

In general, the steps involved are:

1. Protecting the scene by preservation

2. Processing the scene by collection and analysis

Crime Scene Survey

Documentation and Collection

Analysis and Identification

Marilyn T. Miller. Crime Scene Investigation

Ramsland, Katherine. "The CSI Syndrome". Turner Broadcasting System.

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