Republic of the Philippines

Depa
Dep a rtment of the
the Interi
Interior
or and Loc a l G over
ove rnment
National Police Commission
PHILIPPINE NAT
NATIONA
IONALL POLICE
IC E
C RIM
RIM E LA BO RATO
RATO RY
Camp Crame, Quezon City

C IRC
IRC ULAR
NUMBER_01-06_
C LC – AD
ADO - 01

SC ENE OF C RIME OP
OPERATION
ION MANUAL
MANUAL

I. SC
SC ENE OF C RIME OPERATIO
ATION
N (SO
(SOC O):

Scene of Crime Operation is a forensic procedure performed by

tra
tra ine
ine d pers
p erso
o nnel of the PNP C rime
ime Laborato
Lab oratorry thr
throug
oughh sc
sc ientifi
ientific
c method
metho d s o f
investigation for the purpose of preserving the crime scene, gathering
information, documentation, collection, and examination of all physical
evidence.

II. AUTHORIT
HORITY:

II.1
II.1 C hap
ha p ter 3, Sec tio
tio n 24,
24, p a ra g ra p h c a nd Sec
Sec tion
tion 35 of RA 6975
6975..

II.2 PNP
PNP C L SO # 01-95
01-95 d td No
N o v 16,
16, 199
1995
5

III. MISSION: 
MISSION:  The
The SO C O shall ha ll p ro vid
vid e forensic
forensic e xper
pe rtis
tise to c rimin
imina
al
investigation by preserving, securing, and if need be, by scientifically
reconstructing the crime scene for the collection, documentation, and
forensic examination of all collected physical evidence with the end in view
of establishing fact/s relative to a criminal incident.

IV. OBJEC
OBJ ECT
TIVES:

IV.1. To conduct forensic investigations through the methodical means

of collection, examination, preservation, and presentation of all evidence for
the fina
finall disp
disp ositi
ositio
o n of
o f c riminal
iminal c a ses.

IV.2. To enable the police investigating/line units to expeditiously

identify and arrest the criminal perpetrators through the collected and
examined physical evidence.

IV.3. To establish the facts before the competent courts based on

c ollec
ollec ted and
a nd examined
examined phy
p hys
sic a l evide
evidenc
nce.
e.

IV.4. To strictly adhere to the protocols governing forensic science.

V. SOCO FUNCTIONS:

V.1. It shall determine and delineate the crime scene.

V.2. It shall preserve and ensure the protection of the crime scene.

V.3. It shall conduct methodical search for all available evidence in

the c rime scene.

V.4. It shall method ically do cument the c rime scene.

V.5 It shall methodically collect and transport all available physical

evidence from the crime scene to the PNP Crime Laboratory for purposes of
appropriate forensic examinations.

V.6. As required, it shall present before any competent court and/or

any legally mandated agency its forensic findings and the expert testimonies
of the SOCO elements.

VI. GENERAL SOCO PROCEDURES:

VI.1 Preparation Prior to the Conduct of SOC O

VI.1.1. Ensure the availability of packaging and collection

materials necessary for typical search circumstance.

VI.I.2. Prepa re the preliminary format for the paperwork

needed to document the c onduct of the search.

VI.I.3. Discuss upcoming sea rch with the involved personnel.

VI.I.4. Ma ke preliminary personnel assignments before arrival at

scene, if practicable.

VI.I.5. C onsider the safety and comfort of sea rch personnel.

Be prepared for probable impediments which maybe poised by
weather or terrain. Ensure that ba sic crime scene search eq uipments
are functional. These should consist of the communication, lighting,
first aid, a nd sec urity equipments.

VII.6. Ensure that all SOC O Tea m elements tasked to enter the
crime scene must be wearing surgical gloves and other protective
gears as maybe nec essary.

VI.I.7. Assess the personnel assignments normally required to

successfully process a c rime scene and ensure that such assignments
are in keeping with the training, experienc e, attitude, and aptitude of
each individual.

VI.2. Crime Scene Approach

VI.2.3. Establish frame-of-mind to take control of scene
regardless of circumstance observed on arrival.

VI.2.4. C onsider pe rsonnel safety.

VI.3. Preliminary Crime Scene Survey.

VI.3.1. The survey is an organizational stage to a planned

search.

VI.3.2. A cautious walk-through of the scene must be

accomplished by the Team Leader.

VI.3.3. The SOC O Tea m Leader provides and ensures the

op erationa l foc us of the Tea m.

VI.3.4. Select appropriate narrative description techniques that

should provide answers to the 5 W’s & 1H.

VI.3.5. Organize methods and procedures needed to

rec ognize special problem area s.

VI.3.6. Identify and protect transient physica l evidence.

VI.3.7. Make an extensive narrative notes on the physical and

environmental conditions of the crime scene based on the exact
locations of items found thereat and condition of the crime scene as
rec eived from the investiga tor on c ase.

VI.4. Evaluation of Physical Evidence

VI.4.1. This evaluation begins upon arrival at scene and

becomes detailed in preliminary survey stage.

VI.4.2. Based on preliminary survey, establish evidence types

most likely to be enc ountered.

VI.4.3. Ensure that collection and packaging equipment is

sufficient for task at ha nd.

VI.4.4. Ensure that all personnel are aware of the great variety
of possible evidence.

VI.4.5. Focus first on the easily accessible areas in open view

and progress eventually to possible out-of-view locations.

VI.4.6. C onsider whether the evidence app ea rs to have been

moved inad vertently.

VI.4.7. Evaluate whether or not the scene and evidence

app ea rs intentiona lly c ontrived.
VI.5.2. Photography supplements narrative description of the
crime scene.

VI.5.3. Do not permit narrative effort to degenerate into a

sporadic and unorga nized attempt to rec over physical evidence.

VI.6. Crime Scene Photography / Videography

VI.6.1. Begin photographing the crime scene as soon as

possible.

VI.6.2. Document the photographic effort with a photograph

log.

VI.6.3. Ensure that a progression of overall, medium and close-

up views of the scene is established .

VI.6.4. Photograph evidence in place before its collection

and packaging.

VI.6.5. Photograph items, places etc., to corroborate the

statement of witnesses, victims, suspects.

VI.6.6. Take photograp hs from eye level, when fea sible, to

represent scene as would be ob served by normal view.

VI.6.7. Prior to lifting latent fingerprints, photographs should

be taken.

VI.7. Sketch of Crime Scene

VI.7.1. The diagram establishes permanent rec ords of items,

conditions and distance/size relationships – diagram supplement
photographs.

VI.7.2. Number designa tions on sketc h should be coo rdinated

with same number de signa tions on evidence log.

VI.7.3. The sketch should contain sufficient mea surements and

details to be used as a model for drawn to scale diagram, or
indicate a disclaimer if not drawn to scale.

VI.8. Detailed Crime Scene Search

VI.8.1. C onduct sea rch in a general manner and work to the

specifics regarding evidence items.

VI.8.2. Photograph all items before collection and enter

notation in photographic log.

VI.8.3. Ma rk evidence loc ations on diagram/sketc h.

VI.9.1. Tag and photograph evidence in place before
collection.

VI.9.2. Methodically record the recovered evidence. Mark

evidence (mark item itself whenever feasible)

VI.9.3. Place identifying marks in evidence containers.

VI.10. Final Crime Scene Survey

VI.10.1. Discuss search jointly with a ll personnel for

completeness.

VI.10.2. Double-check documentation to detect inadvertent

errors.

VI.10.3. C hec k to ensure all evidenc e is accounted for

before depa rting the scene.

VI.10.4. Ensure all equipment used in the sea rch is ga thered.

VI.10.5. Make sure possible hiding places or difficult a ccess

areas have not been overlooked in detailed sea rch.

VI.11. Turn-Over/Release of Crime Scene to Investigator-On-Case

VI.II.1. Ensure that approp riate inventory has been provided .

VI.II.2. Relea se the scene with the notion that there is only one
chanc e to pe rform the job correc tly and completely.

VI.II.3. Release is accomplished only after completion of the

final survey and prope r doc umentation.

VII. SUPPLETORY PROVISIONS TO THE GENERAL PROCEDURES

VII.I. In clandestine labo ratories and bombing c ases/incide nts, the EOD
should clear the area first and declare it secured prior to the conduct of
SOCO. Moreover, these are considered as special situations whereby the
Forensic Chemical Officer (FOCO) shall be tasked to undertake the initial
scene assessments and advice the SOCO Team Leader as to how the
sequenc e of the crime scene investiga tion shall be undertaken.

VII.2. In suspected and/or reported chemical, biological, radiological,

and/or nuclear (CBRN) situation, the SOCO Team shall directly coordinate
with the Spe cial Rescue/ C BRN Tea m of the Bureau of Fire Protec tion prior to
the conduct of crime scene investigation. This shall be the standard
operational procedure pending the capability acquisition of the PNP Crime
Laboratory for CBRN situation.
inferenc es or interpretations. In the absence of conc rete ob jec tive
data, the Tea m Lea der shall courteously beg off to a nswer inquiries
and inform the media that the inquiries shall be answered after
laboratory examinations had been conducted and with clearance
from the criminal investigator on case and /or line or investigating unit
conducting the investiga tion.

XI.1.2 The SOCO Team Leader must exercise professiona l

maturity to ensure that his reply to the media inquiries must not in
whatever manner impede on the conduct of the criminal
investigation.

XI.1.3 Post Crime Scene Investigation inquiry from the media shall
be c leared first from the Direc tor, PNP C L.

XI.1.4 The PNP C rime Labo ratory rec og nizes the vital role that the
media play in enhancing the community awareness of protecting
and preserving the crime scene. Efforts in direct coordination with
the media shall be initiated for this purpose.

X1.2 Crime Scene Protec tion and Preservation Trainings – The PNP
C rime Laboratory shall continuously conduct period ic crime scene protec tion
trainings for the first responders.

X1.3. Precedence of Authority – The organic SOCO Team of the RCLO

or DCLO having responsibility over the area of incident shall be the O ffice
Primary Responsible (OPR) and reinforcing SOC O Tea ms from HQs PNP C L
and other RC LOs/DCLOs shall provide support.

X1.4 C oo rdination - Direc t and lateral coordination with PNP units and
other law enforcement units for the purpose of crime scene protection,
preservation, and evidence collection is highly encouraged.

X1.5 Training Designs – Periodic evaluation of the SOC O Program of

Instructions shall be undertaken to ensure that it is current a nd prospe ctive.

XII. Effectivity: This circular shall take effect on May 1, 2006 and rescinds the
previous SOCO Manual.