GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE

PROCEDURES
This investigative procedure is designed to adapt to the current
trends in modem investigation, in line with the PNP integrated
Transformation Program which seeks to improve and integrate
the different manuals used by the PNP to serve as guide in
aspects of police investigation. It also aims to come up with a
definite investigation procedure on specific cases from the time
the incident happened, until the case is filed, which will be
adopted by the PNP investigators in pursuing their mandated
tasks.
 PROCEDURES

• Upon receipt of call/walk-in complainants

Duty Desk Officer shall :
Record the time it was reported;
Get the identity of the caller/complainant
Get the place of the incident;
 Get the nature of the incident;
Get the number of victim/s;
Record a brief synopsis of the incident;
Direct the nearest mobile car/beat patrollers or the nearest police precinct to act as first responder equipped with
“police line” to secure the place of incident a camera; and
Inform the duty investigator (preferably one team of investigators).
AT THE CRIME SCENE THE FIRST RESPONDER SHALL
PERFORM HIS/HER DUTY AS STATED IN PROTOCOL 4.

• In addition, check the condition of the victim

while the other members of the first responders
shall simultaneously secure the area by putting a
police line or any material (like rope, straw and
etc).
A.If in serious condition
 Bring the victim immediately to the nearest hospital using emergency
services;
Photograph and make a sketch of the victim (if the victim is dead);
Get the dying declaration; if necessary (ask 3 questions)
a. Ano ang pangalan at address mo?
b. Kilala mo ba ang gumawa nito sa iyo?
c. Sa pakiramdam mo ba ay ikamamatay mo ang tinamo mong sugat?

 However, if there is still a chance to ask more questions, then follow-up

should be done. The statement, once reduced into writing, shall be duly
signed by or with thumb mark of the victim.
B. If not in serious condition
Bring the victim immediately to the nearest hospital using
emergency services;
Get the identity and other data of the victim; and
Get initial interview from the victim.

Note: The other members of the first responders shall remain

at the crime scene to Secure the premises.
C. If the suspect is arrested at the scene
 Get the names of the persons who turned-over or
arrested the suspect.
 Isolate the arrested suspect/s and separate them from any
probable witness of the incident.
 Record what time the suspect was arrested.
 Wait for the investigator to interview the suspect.
 If the suspect volunteers any statement, take note of the
time, location and circumstances of the statements.
 INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE AT THE CRIME
SCENE

• A. Upon arrival at the crime scene:

 Receive the crime scene from the first responder.
 Record time/date of arrival at the crime scene, location of the
scene, condition of the weather, condition and type of lighting,
direction of wind and visibility,
Photograph and/or video the entire crime scene.
Before entering the crime scene, all investigators must put on surgical gloves.
Before touching or moving any object at the crime scene in a homicide a murder case,
determine first the status of the victim, whether he is still alive or already dead. If the
victim is alive, the investigator should exert effort to gather information from the victim
himself regarding the circumstances of the crime, while a member of the team or
someone must call an ambulance from the nearest hospital. Before removing the victim,
mark, sketch an photograph his/her relative position. Only a coroner or a medical
examiner shall remove the dead body unless unusual circumstances justify its immediate
removal.
 Designate a member of the team or ask other policemen or responsible persons to stand
watch and secure the scene, and permit only authorized persons to enter the same.
 Identify and retain for questioning the person who first notified
the police, and other possible witnesses.
 Determine the assailant through inquiry or observe him if his
identity is immediately apparent. Arrest him if he is still in the
vicinity.
 Separate witnesses in order to get independent statements.
 B. RECORDING

• The investigator begins the process of recording pertinent facts and details of the
investigation the moment he arrives at the crime scene. (He should record he time
when he was initially notified prior to his arrival). He also writes down the
identification of persons involved and what he initially saw. He also draws a basic
sketch of the crime scene and takes the initial photograph (if a photographer is
available, avail his services). This is to ensure that an image of the crime scene is
recorded before any occurrence that disturbs the scene. As a rule, do not touch,
alter or remove anything at the crime scene until the evidence has been processed
through notes, sketches and photograph, with proper measurements.
 C. SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE

 Each crime is different, according to the physical nature of the scene and crime or
offense involved. Consequently, the scene is process in accordance with the prevailing
physical characteristics of the scene and with the need to develop essential evidentiary
facts peculiar to the offense. A general survey of the scene is always made, however, to
note the locations of obvious traces of action, the probable entry and exit points used by
the offender(s) and the size and shape of the area involved.
 In rooms, buildings, and small outdoor areas, a systematic search of evidence is initiated
(In the interest of uniformity, it is recommended that the clockwise movement be used.)
The investigator examines each item encountered on the floor, walls, and ceiling to locate
anything that may be of evidentiary value.
You should give particular attention to fragile evidence that
may be destroyed or contaminated if it is not collected when
discovered.
If any doubt exists as to the value of an item, treat it as evidence
until proven otherwise.
 Ensure that the item or area where latent fingerprints may be
present is closely examined and that action is taken to develop
the prints.
Carefully protect any impression of evidentiary value in
surfaces conducive to making casts or molds. If possible,
photograph the impression and make a cast or mold.
Note stains, spots and pools of liquid within the scene and treat them as
evidence.
Treat as evidence all other items, such as hairs, fibers, and earth particles
foreign to the area in which they are found; for example, matter found
under the victim's fingerprints.
Proceed systematically and uninterruptedly to the conclusion of the
processing of the scene. The search for evidence is initially completed
when, after a thorough examination of the scene, the rough sketch,
necessary photograph and investigative notes have been completed and
the investigator has returned to the point from which the search began.
Further search may be necessary after the evidence and the
statements obtained have been evaluated.
In large outdoor areas, it is advisable to divide the area into strips
about four (4) feet wide. The policeman may first search the strip on
his left as he faces the scene and then the adjoining strips.
It may be advisable to make a search beyond the area considered to
be the immediate scene of the incident or crime. For example,
evidence may indicate that a weapon or tool used in the crime was
discarded or hidden by the offender somewhere within a square-mile
area near the scene.
 After completing the search of the scene, the investigator examines the
object or person actually attacked by the offender. For example, a ripped
safe, a desk drawer that has been pried open or a room from which items
has been stolen, would be processed after the remainder of the scene has
been examined for traces of the offender.
 In a homicide case, the position of the victim should be outlined with a
chalk or any other suitable material before the body is removed from the
scene. If the victim has been pronounced dead by a doctor or is obviously
dead, it is usually advisable to examine the body, the clothing and the
area under body after the remainder of the scene has been searched. This
is to enable the policeman/investigator to evaluate all objects of special
interest in the light of all other evidence found at the scene.
 D. COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE

• This is accomplished after the search is completed, the rough sketch finished and
photographs taken. Fragile evidence should be collected as they are found. All firearms
(FAs) found to have tampered serial numbers (SNs) shall be automatically subjected to
macro etching at the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory (PNP-CL). A
corresponding request to the Firearms and Explosive Office (FEO) must be made for
verification purposes. The investigator places his initials, the date and time of discovery
on each item of evidence for proper identification. Items that could not be marked should
be placed in a suitable container and sealed.
 E. MARKINGS OF EVIDENCE

• Any physical evidence obtained must be marked or tagged

before its submission to the evidence custodian. These are
information to ensure that the items can be identified by the
collector at any time in the future. This precaution will help
immeasurably to establish the credibility of the collector's report
or testimony and will effectively avoid any suggestions that the
item has been misidentified.
 MARKINGS ON THE SPECIMEN MUST AT LEAST
CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:
• Exhibit Case Number
• Initials and or signature of the collecting officer.
• Time and date of collection.

NOTE: It is also important to note the place or location where the

evidence was collected.
 F. EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE

• Each item of evidence must be evaluated in relation to

all the evidence, individually and collectively. If
necessary, these pieces of evidence must be subjected to
crime laboratory examination. Example: firearms for
ballistic examination, hair strands etc.
 G. PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE

• It is the investigator's responsibility to ensure that every

precaution is exercised to preserve physical evidence in
the state in which it was recovered/obtained until it is
released to the evidence custodian.
 H. RELEASING OF EVIDENCE

• All collected evidence can only be released

upon order of the court of prosecutor, as the
case maybe.
 J. CHAIN OF CUSTODY

• A list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence, continuity of
possession, or the chain of custody, must be established whenever evidence is presented
in court as an exhibit. Adherence to standard procedures in recording the location of
evidence, marking it for identification, and properly completing evidence submission
forms for laboratory analysis is critical to chain of custody. Every person who handled or
examined the evidence and where it is at all times must be accounted for. As a rule, all
seized evidence must be in the custody of the evidence custodian and deposited in the
evidence room or designated place for safekeeping.
 J. TRANSMITTAL OF EVIDENCE TO CRIME
LABORATORY
• Proper handling of physical evidence is necessary to obtain the maximum possible
information upon which scientific examination shall be based, and to prevent exclusion as
evidence in court. Specimens which truly represent the material found at the scene,
unaltered, unspoiled or otherwise unchanged in handling will provide more and better
information upon examination. Legal requirements make it necessary to account for all
physical pieces of evidence from the time it is collected until it is presented in court. With
these in mind, the following principles should be observed in handling all types of
evidence:
 The evidence should reach the laboratory in same
condition as when it was found, as much as possible.

 The quantity of specimen should be adequate. Even with

the best equipment available, good results cannot be
obtained from insufficient specimens.

 Submit a known or standard specimen for comparison

purposes.
 Keep each specimen separate from others so there will be no
intermingling or mixing of known and unknown material. Wrap and
seal in individual packages when necessary.

 Mark or label each of evidence for positive identification as the

evidence taken from a particular location in connection with the crime
under investigation.

 The chain of custody of evidence must be maintained. Account for

evidence from the time it is collected until it is produced in court. Any
break in this chain of custody may make the material inadmissible as
evidence in court.