CRIME SCENE PROCEDURES IN

FIREARM RELATED CASES

CHAPTER XII
 Physical Evidence

It is anything that has material

existence and which may used to
establish the nature of the offense or
the identity of the perpetrator and
which may be presented to the court for
its evaluation or appreciation. Those
pieces of evidence may include the
corpus delicti, tracing evidence and
associative evidence.
 Crime Scene
It is the place where the physical evidence
is left by the perpetrator, after the
commission of the crime. These involved
the routine jobs of the investigator, in
recognizing, sketching, photographing,
collecting, marking, preserving, itemizing
and transmitting the physical evidence to
the Crime Laboratory for forensic
examination.
 Purpose of Crime Scene Search
Is the preservation of the physical evidence in
the place of the commission of the crime, and to
retained its evidentiary value in preparation for
proper searching, collection, care, handling,
preservation in appropriate container and
transporting of evidence from the scene of the
crime to the Crimethe
To conceptualize, Laboratory,
purpose ofuntil it reaches
crime scene
the court
search for final disposition
operation in the lawofenforcement
the case. is to
render public service effectively and efficiently.
Inform and guide field investigators about the
importance of crime scene search, with the
application of scientific investigation, to assist
investigators in the speedy solution of criminal
cases specially, heinous ones, through the
proper processing of evidences.
 Purpose of Crime Scene Search

To institute a clear-cut delineation of duties

and functions among investigators of
different operating units, to deter
overlapping and duplication of functions
and to avoid pointing accusing finger
attitude, in case of dismissal of criminal
cases in trial court.
Procedure in Crime Scene
Search
A. Received of Report/ Complaints
The police officer of the station who first received
the report of the incidents, shall record the time
and date, the complaint was received. Identify the
person who made the report, the place of the
incident and the circumstances of the incident.
The desk officer, who received the report, shall
immediately inform
The duty officer his immediately
should superior officer, and
dispatch a
immediately
mobile teaminform theplace
to the duty officer,
of the regarding
incident the
for
report.
verification. Mobile patrols shall likewise, be
directed to verify the incident. There are incidents
where the mobile or beat patrol or off-duty
policemen, have already responded on the
complaint, thus, they should immediately inform
the headquarters and the nearest police unit, then
the duty officer who received the information,
shall immediately dispatched its investigating
 B. Upon arrival at the crime scene
Record the time and 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, and
Beforesecure
then touching
theorcrime
moving any object
scene of the
by installing
crime scene
crime scene,tape,
determine
rope or first
policethe status of
line.
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.
 B. Upon arrival at the crime scene
After the victim is removed and brought to the
hospital, for medical attention, the personnel shall
measure, sketch, collect, mark, preserve, itemize and
photograph physical evidence. Only a coroner or
medical examiner shall remove the dead body, unless
unusual
Designate circumstances
a member of justify immediate
the team removal.
or summon other
policemen, or responsible persons to stand, watch
and secure the scene. Permit only those authorized
persons to enter the crime scene. Identify and retain
for questioning, the person who first notified the
police, and other possible witnesses.
Determine the assailant through inquiry, observe him
if his identity is immediately apparent. Arrest him if
he is still in the vicinity. Separate the witnesses
during the interview, in order to get independent
statements.
 C. Conduct of Search and Recording of
Activities at the Crime Scene
Assess the situation before conducting an
actual search, to determine the number, kind
and views to be photographs, then made the
plan of the search. Immediately designate a
headquarters or safe area, where you could
stay, in which there are no possible
evidences that may accidentally be disturbed
After assessing
or altered. the situation, adopt
appropriate search plan by using any
methods of search, , then use an appropriate
instrument or equipment to collect the
evidence, and place them in a container with
proper label or tag.
DIFFERENT METHOD OF
SEARCH
It is used when the
shooting1. Strip or Lane
incident Method
cover a large, small,
open or closed areas.
The team will line up
shoulder to shoulder
with an arms distance
away from each other
and move slowly while
examining parallel
strips of terrain. When
the evidence is
located, the team
leader will be called,
before taking any
action. The team
should try to maintain
the straight line and
 2. Double
This method Strip
is or Grid Method
best used when
the shooting
incident took in
bigger area or
outdoors. The
team will search
in strip in each
axis, from east to
west, then come
back and cover
the same area
from north to
south axis. This
method provides a
It 3.isSpiral
usually
or Circular Method
employed in
outdoor scenes
and is normally
executed by a
single person. It
involves the
searchers walking
in slightly ever-
decreasing; less-
than-concentric
circles form the
outermost
boundary
determination
towards a central
 4. Zone
This method or Sector
is applied Method
in a bigger area to be
search. This should be
divided into zones or
sectors. Each member
should be assigned to
each sector to perform
a thorough search.
The sectors, if
necessary can be
search by another
member, in order to
search allied items or
object related to the
use of firearm; like
holster, magazine,
cartridges, cartridge
 5. Pie or Wheel Method
It is also referred
to wheel method.
The searchers
gather at the
center and
proceed outward
along radii or
spoke. The
principal
drawback of this
method is the
distance between
the researchers
increase as they
depart from the
 Reminder…
Do not touch or move any evidence once it
is located, until it has been identified,
measured, recorded, and photographed.
Consider all objects or items found inside
or within the crime scene, as significant,
and take appropriate documentation and
recording.
 Take the following photographs at the
crime scene:
1. Over-all photographs – are done clockwise until
the four general view of the areas have been taken.
2. Photograph of the victim – a set of picture
showing the relationship of the cadaver over the
surroundings including the injuries sustained.
3. Photograph of evidence –weapons, blood stains,
3

hair, fiber, paper, and other evidence must be

photograph, before removal.
4. Photograph of the vicinity or environment .

5. Take note of the following photographic data: :

…
a. Data to identify the photographs with the
offense;
b. Name of the photographer;
c. Data on the orientation or position of the
camera with the scene;
d. Date and hour when each photograph was
taken;
e. Data about the light and weather condition
when each photographs was taken;
f. Data about the type and make of the camera
and the kind of film used;
g. Focal length of the lens; and
h. Data on the developing, printing and other
special laboratory techniques.
Prepare a rough sketch of the crime scene, indicating
the actual measurement of things, but need not to be
drawn with scale as basis of a finished sketch for court
presentation. The following sketches should be made:

a. Sketch from locality provides a picture

of the scene, the crime and its vicinity
including neighboring buildings and roads
leading to the crime scene;
b. Sketch of grounds - pictures out the
scene of the crime with the nearest
physical surroundings such as, house with
its garden, floor plan, and other.
 Composition of the Team
c.
Photog
e.
rapher
Eviden g.
a. and
ce Driver
Team photog
record securit
leader raphic
er/cust f. y
log
b. odianEviden
record d.
Assista ce
er Sketch
nt recove
er/mea
team ry
surer
leader person
nel
PERSONNEL DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
 a. Team Leader
1. Assumes the control of the crime scene. Ensures
the safety of the personnel as well as the victim and
the offender, caught in the scene and secures the
crime scene from kibitzers.
2. Conducts initial survey of the crime scene for
evaluating potential evidence and narrative
description of the place.
3. Determines search pattern to be used and
designates assignments to evidence gatherers.
4. Designates command post location in or near the
crime scene, and ensures exchange of information
between searcher and investigators.
5. Coordinates for the security of the victim,
offenders/suspects and the scene of the crime..
 a. Team Leader

6. Ensures the sufficient supplies and equipment's

are made available for personnel involved in scene of
the crime operation (SOCO).
7. Controls access of the scene and designates
personnel, to log persons entering the place and
remove kibitzers in the area. Kibitzers are one who
look and often offer unwanted advice or comment.
8. Continuously re-evaluates efficiency of the search,
and insures that all places are searched properly.

9. Releases and turns over the crime scene to the

investigators handling the case.
 c. Photographer / Photographic Log
Recorder
1. Photograph the entire area of the crime scene,
with overall medium and close up coverage using
appropriate scale.
2. Photograph the victims, suspects/offenders
arrested in the crime scene.

3. Photograph all evidence before collection.

4. Photograph all latent fingerprints impression,

before lifting or casting is made. Likewise,
photograph blueprints maps and other items.

5. Prepare photographic log and photographic sketch. .

 d. Sketcher

1. Perform all sketches necessary during the crime

scene processing.
 e. Evidence Recorder / Custodian

1. Prepare evidence recovery log and

accomplish the chain of custody of evidence.

2. Conduct packaging, preservation and

transportation of gathered evidence to the
Crime Laboratory.

3. Coordinate the evidence gathered, with

sketcher.
 f. Evidence Recovery Personnel

1. Prepare tag for all physical evidence

recovered and make proper
identification.
2. Prepare a systematic recording
management system, for future
reference.
 g. Driver / Security

1. Serves as the duty driver during the

response of the crime scene.

2. Secure all personnel and all physical

evidence recovered at the crime scene.
 Recognition of Evidence
At the crime scene, the prober must
recognize and exercise keen power of
observation and extreme care in his search
for those physical evidences like; fired
bullets, fired shells, firearm or firearms, and
allied items related to the used of firearms.
The success of the case will depend heavily
on how the proper conducts himself in
handling those ballistics exhibits. He has to
do his job well at “proper time” and “proper
place”.
 Recognition of Evidence

Proper time refers to the situation when he is

supposed to be there in the crime scene.
Proper place refers to the situation where the
investigator should be there in the crime
scene. It is important therefore, that the
investigator must be familiar with the
modern techniques in the proper recognition,
collection, marking, preservation and
transmittal of these physical evidences.
 Collection of Physical Evidence

1. Collect all articles, which are or may be in

some future date, be of value as evidence.
2. Evidence which may tend to show or
indicate or not a crime was committed or
may connect some particular person with the
crime or crime scene includes the following:
Firearms, Fired bullets, Fired shells, Metallic
fragments, Broken glass or allied items,
Holster, Magazine for automatic firearm,
cartridges, gloves, masks.
3. Designate one officer to collect all evidence
to centralized the collection
.
 Collection of Physical Evidence

4. Don’t MAC the evidence

M- mutilate the evidence
A- alter the very nature of evidence
C- contaminate the evidence
5. Sketch and photograph the crime scene.

6. Photograph the articles before removing

them.
7. In cases when the fired bullets are lodged
in an object, extreme care must be an
exercise in removing such.
***Should the situation permit, that fired
Collection
bullets lodged of
in Physical Evidence
walls, furniture, wood
trims, or even trees, extreme care must be
exercised in removing the evidence. Don't
dig out the evidence bullet with a knife or
ice pick, that may caused cut around the
evidence, so as not to touch anything that
would scratch, that will impair its
evidentiary value. If the bullets lodge on
wood, it is better to split open the wood
along the grain, until the bullet falls off.
Otherwise just bring the portion of the wood
to the laboratory intact, and it will be
removed by the laboratory personnel. In
case the bullet has been broken into
fragments, secure as many fragments as
 Collection of Physical Evidence
8. EVIDENCE FIREARM found at the
crime scene, it is necessary that the
following pertinent facts or features
should be noted:
a. Type of firearm
b. Caliber of the firearm
c. Serial number of the firearm, the
most important
d. Number of load in the cylinder, if
revolver and in the magazine, if pistol
e. Position of firearm relative to a body
at the scene
 Collection of Physical Evidence
9. When BULLETS are found at the
crime scene, the following description
should be noted down:
a. Type of bullet
b. Caliber of the bullet
c. Shape or form of the bullet
d. Other metallic fragments
e. Place of recovery and date of
recovery
 Collection of Physical Evidence
10. When SHELLS are found at the
crime scene, the following description
should be noted down:
a. Number of shells should be in order
of recovery with physical identity each.
b. Caliber of the shells - if it is found on
the base of the shell, it should be
noted.
c. Trademark or brand of the shells
d. Place of recovery and date of
recovery
EVIDENCE COLLECTION,
HANDLING, AND
TRANSPORTATION
 PACKAGING OR
PROCEDURE STORAGE
Firearms were found or received
(1) Keep calm and (1) Wet or
take your time. bloodstained
Safety first! weapons must be
(2) Photograph the dried at room
weapon on site: temperature
where was it? before being
(3) Do not handle packaged in a
the weapon suitable box.
without gloves on
account of (2) Weapons
fingerprints. found in water
(4) Always points must be saturated
the barrel of the with thin
 Pistol
PACKAGING OR
STORAGE
PROCEDURE
(1) The bolt is
(1) Take out the especially
magazine, clear important. The
the weapon. aim is to prevent
(2) Raise the oxygen in the air
slide catch lever coming into
and if possible contact with the
thumb it up to metal, causing it
arrest the slide in to oxidize and
the open position. thus destroying
some of the
 Double-barreled rifles
PROCEDURE
(1) Point the
weapon in a safe PACKAGING OR
direction STORAGE
(2) Open the rifle. (1) Mark and
Some rifles have place in a dry
ejectors that eject plastic evidence
the cartridge bag.
cases. Watch
where they land.
(3) Make a note.
 Other types of firearms
PROCEDURE
(1) Get help from
weapons experts,
PACKAGING OR
preferably scene-
STORAGE
of-crime officers
or the PNPCL (1) Mark and
alternatively, from place in a dry
weapons plastic evidence
instructions bag.
firearms dealers,
military
personnel, etc.
 PROCEDURE
Bullets and Cartridge cases
(1) Bullet and PACKAGING OR
cartridge cases must STORAGE
not be a handled
with tools that make (1) Wrap each
marks bullet in kitchen
(2) Moist or blood- rolls on similar
stained materials material and
must be air-dried at package in small
room temperature.
Rust or oxidization plastic boxes.
may destroy Write any notes
evidence on the box, never
(3) Bear in mind the on a bullet or
risk of blood case.
 Bullets lodged in an object
PROCEDURE
(1) Photograph in which the bullet is trapped
together with a measurement scale or similar
object that can be used as a measurement
reference.
(2) Take away the whole object if possible. If
this is not possible, uncover the area where
the bullet is located. Leave a good deal of the
material surroundings the bullet.
(3) If the bullet must be uncovered on site,
remove the material around the bullet
carefully so that it can be detached without
being touched.
PACKAGING ORavoid
(4) If possible STORAGE
damaging the entry hole.
(1) Mark and place in a dry plastic evidence bag .
Proper method collection of firearms in
the crime scene
By using a handkerchief, string or wire inserted
through the trigger guard of the firearm. Be sure
that in picking up the suspected firearm, the
muzzle end of the barrel is not pointed to
anyone in the vicinity.
More so, if the collection involves is a revolver
and this revolver is in full-cocked position, there
is always the danger of little amount of jarring
when picking up as the gun might fire, causing
additional shooting or accident.
After picking up the revolver, a piece of
crumpled paper or carton maybe placed just in
front of the trigger after which the trigger
should be checked. This is done to prevent
accidental or unnecessary firing.
PROCEDURE IN MARKING OF
PHYSICAL EVIDENCES
 Marking of Physical Evidence

(a) Physical evidence should be properly

marked or labeled for further identification
as they are collected and to complete the
chain of possession or custody of the
ballistics exhibits.
(b) Mark at the time that evidence is
removed from its original position.
However, do not mark or move until the
photograph has been taken.
(c)Keep a complete note on the marks
placing it on every single or individual
object recovered in the crime scene.
 Guide in Marking Physical Evidence

(b) (d)
(c)
Record Always
(a) Use Record
the mark mark the
distinctiv serial
used and container
e initials number
the in which
of the or other
position the object
recoverin distinct
of the is placed
g officer. marks
marks even if
Never use present
present the object
“X”. on the
on the is already
object.
object. marked.
 Marking of Fired Bullets
It should marked by means of a stylus
or any pointed instrument by the
recovering officer with his initial, or the
initials of the victim/suspect on the
OGIVE, NOSE or on the BASE of the
bullet, together with the corresponding
date of recovery.
 Marking of Fired Shells
With regards to fired cartridge cases,
the best areas or portions where the
officer can place his marks are:
INSIDE NEAR THE OPEN MOUTH,
OUTSIDE NEAR THE OPEN MOUTH
or NEAR THE BODY of the fired
cartridge cases.
 Marking a Suspected Firearms
Same marking of fired bullets and fired
shell but the marking should be place on
all the three main and inseparable parts of
the firearm. In addition a tag may be made
indicating the type of firearms, make or
model, caliber, serial number, date of
recovery, name of suspect/victim and
PISTOL – barrel, slide, and frame or other
features of value.
receiver.
REVOLVER – barrel, cylinder, and the
frame.
RIFLE – barrel, upper receiver, lower
receiver, and bolt.
 Marking of Standards

Bullet and cartridge cases obtained through

test firing must be marked according. It will
be marked as T-12-1.
T = stands for test

12 = stands to the last 2 digits of

firearms serial number
1 = it is the sequence of firing
 Preservation of Physical Evidence
Evidences like firearms, fired bullets, fired shells,
should be properly preserved for future
identification and presentation. These physical
evidences should be kept in proper storage, in
proper place and conditions conducive for
preservation, so that it will retain their top
For small value
evidentiary objects,
for like bullets
effective and metallic
presentation and
fragments,
final afterofhaving
prosecution the case.been marked by the
recovering officer, it should be wrapped in tissue
paper and sealed in pill box, match box, vial or
any similar container. The container should also
be properly label with tag. Evidence should be
placed each in a separate container and each
container should be marked accordingly. The
container should be durable enough, that it will
not easily break, and it should be large enough for
Preservation of Physical Evidence
Evidence firearm should be properly placed
in the container box or cartoon properly
formed, to protect latent print and to
prevent loss or tampering from
unscrupulous person. It should be put on
record, all the steps taken in preserving all
these physical evidence for future use,
question might be ask, by the defense
lawyer.
 Transmittal of Physical Evidence

(1) All collected evidence must be transmitted to

the Firearms Identification division and concerned CL
officers for examination as soon as possible.

(2) All pieces of evidence must be photographed for

future identification.

(3) Take precautions to preserve the evidence. .

(4) Wrap and seal each item of evidence separately

to avoid contamination.
(5) Pack lives ammunition in a clean, dry cardboard
container separately from firearms.
 Transmittal of Physical Evidence

(6) Stabilized the evidence to avoid movement

friction during shipment.

(7) Seal the container with tape.

(8) If any of the evidence needs to be examined

for latent prints, label LATENT on the container.
(9) Label the outer container with the “Evidence”
label.

(10) Always observe the Chain of Custody.

Thank You for Listening and
God Bless Us All!