Republic of the Philippines

ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

MODULE TEMPLATE

CRIM PROF 211 – FUNDAMENTALS OF INVESTIGATION AND INTELLIGENCE

1. Module Title :

CHAPTER 4 THE THREE TOOLS OR I’S OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

2. Introduction
This chapter will present the three tools of Criminal Investigation that necessary in
accomplishing the objectives of investigation and it include the study of gathering
information, conduct interview and interrogation, and the forensic science – the
instrumentation. It include also some of the demonstrative strategies in gathering
information.

3. Learning Outcome/Objective
At the end of the chapter, the student shall be able to;

[Link] the gathering of information

2. Demonstrate the conduct of interview and Interrogation
3. Discuss thru recitation the different types of Instrumentation
4. Demonstrate sketching the crime scene to include its evidence

4. Learning content / Topic/ Lesson proper

CHAPTER 4

THE THREE TOOLS OR I’S OFCRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

In criminal investigation, we have the so-called three tools or sometimes called as the I’s
of criminal investigation to include: Information, Interview and Interrogation and
Instrumentation.

INFORMATION
 it is the knowledge or facts which the investigator had gathered or acquired from persons
or documents, which are pertinent or relevant concerning the commission of the crime or
criminal activities.

Psychologist estimate that approximately 85% of our knowledge is gathered through

sight, 13% from sense of hearing and only 2% through the three other senses.

Psychological processes of accurate observation;

1. Attention – consist of the psychological process involve in becoming aware of an existence of

facts.

2. Perception – involve in the understanding fact of awareness.

3. Report – involved in identifying what has been perceive, narrated, and identified.

INFORMATION CLASSIFIED AS TO ITS SOURCES:

1. Regular Sources = Records, files from the government or non-government agencies,

news items. The bulk of application of this nature is news items. Included also is news or TV
broadcast, intercepted radio, telephone messages and stored computer area.

2. Cultivated Sources = Information furnished by informants or informers.

3. Grapevines sources =When the information is disclosed by the underworld characters

such as prisoners or ex-convicts.

GENERAL TYPES OF SUSPECT IDENTIFICATION

1. POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION – this use information that identifies an individual beyond
question and is legally acceptable as pertaining to and originating from a particular individual.

Examples are the following:

 Information developed after comparing questioned with inked fingerprints;

 Result of DNA analysis of blood and semen.

2. TRACING IDENTIFICATION – this involves the use of all other information that maybe
indicative of the personal identity of an individual.

Examples include the following:

 Description of witnesses as to the appearance of culprits;

 Information about the presence of a suspect’s personal belongings at the crime scene.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

1. Government Records – Police files, NBI files, Bureau of Immigration files, COMELEC files,
files from the local jails and the National Bureau of Prisons and other government agencies.

2. Private Records – From private offices and business and non-government organizations.

3. Intercepted Messages – From telephones, cellular phones, radio telecommunications and other
means of communications.

4. Records of the Firearms and Explosive Unit concerning licensed holders of firearms and
authorized possessor of explosives.

5. Fire Busting – Tracing the chain of possession of a firearm, from the manufacturer, distributor,
seller and to the last processor and possessor. (Applicable in US, wherein This could be done
through the files of the FBI and other US police agencies.
6. Stored Data on Computers and Cellphones – Only experts must be employed to retrieve
these stored data.

RULES ON COMPUTER EVIDENCE

a. When the computer is OFF at the time of arrival, do not turn it on.

b. When it is ON, do not turn it OFF nor touch its mouse or keyboard.

c. The unplugging of the computer whether it is ON or OFF should be done by pulling out
the cable directly from the back of the Central Processing Unit.

d. Each unplugged cable should be marked in the same marking corresponding to the socket
from where the cable was unplugged.

e. The computer should be carefully handled and packed for transport to the police station.

f. Only computer forensic expert should search for any information or evidence contained
in the hardware.

g. The expert should duplicate the computer and the evidence custodian for future court
presentation should keep the original. Search and analysis must be undertaken using the image
disk.

THE INTERVIEW AND INTERROGATION

 A Philosophy of Interview and Interrogation:

The RIGHT officer

asking the RIGHT questions

in the RIGHT manner

at the RIGHT time and in the RIGHT place

will get the RIGHT answers.

INTERVIEWis the simple questioning of a person who cooperates with the investigator. In
account of the interview, the witnesses voluntarily give their accounts about the commission of a
crime.

Cognitive Interview is a form or technique in the conduct of interview upon willing and
cooperative witnesses, where they are given the full opportunity to narrate their accounts without
intervention, interruption and interference from the interviewer. After the subject has finished
his narration, the investigator now subjects him to the style of direct examination and cross-
examination, to clarify the unexplained portions to arrive at a vivid and complete picture of the
testimony.

Question and Answer style of interview are also practiced by some investigators whereby after
each question by the investigator, the interviewee is required to answer on what he knows about
what is being asked.

THE GOLDEN RULE IN INTERVIEW

“Never conduct or let anyone conduct an interview if the interviewer has not gone to the
crime scene.” The questioning should be in agreement with the facts and conditions at the crime
scene. The questioning will lead wayward for the interviewer who had not seen personally the
crime scene and he will not be in a position to distinguish half-truths, exaggerations of falsehood
from the answers of the person being interviewed.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD INTERVIEWER

a. Rapport – It is the relation between the interviewer and the interviewee, which is
conducive to a fruitful result.

b. Forceful Personality – The appearance of the interviewer and other qualities such as skills
of communication techniques or the force of his language are the mainstays of the strength of his
character.

c. Knowledge of Human Behavior

d. Conversational Tone of Voice – His tone of voice must be conversational, not

confrontational as in interrogation.

e. Acting Qualities – He must possess the qualities of an actor, salesman and psychologist
and know how to use the power of persuasion.

f. Humility – He must be courteous, sympathetic and humble, ready to ask apologies for the
inconvenience of the interview.

REASONS WHY WITNESSES REFUSE TO TALK OR TESTIFY

a. Fear of Reprisal – witnesses who lack the courage to face the suspect, his associates or
relatives always entertain the fear of reprisal.

b. Great Inconvenience– On the part of those of hands-to-mouth existence there is this real
inconvenience, which will deprive them the time to earn for their living especially during the
ordeal of testifying during the trial.
c. Hatred Against the Police – This hatred maybe due to previous bad experience with rogue
members of the police organization.

d. Bias of the Witness – The witness maybe an acquaintance, friend, helper, or benefactor of
the suspect.

e. Avoidance of Publicity – There are witnesses who are shy and they shun publicity that
will bring discomfort to their ordinary or obscure way of living.

f. Family Restriction – Some famous and respected families preserve their reputations by
instilling to their members the need of the approval of their elders on matters affecting their
families.

Opening the Interview

1. The interviewer should identify himself and the agency to which he belongs.
2. He should try to size up the interviewee and reach to tentative conclusion about his type,
then use the best interview approach.
3. He should keep in mind the provisions of law regarding the rights of people under
custodial investigation.

THE STAGES OF HANDLING INTERVIEW

a. Preparation/Planning– The investigator should review the facts at the crime scene and
information from other sources in order that he would be ready for the questioning. A
background data of the subject should be available so that he could adapt himself to the
kind of approach to be employed.

In planning the interview, the interviewer should consider:

a) The facts of the case which have been established so far.

b) The information needed to complete the picture.
c) The sources of information that may be consulted such as files and record.
 d) The possibility of confronting the suspect with physical evidence.
e) The time available for the interview.
f) The time allowed by law.

b. Approach – The investigator must carefully select his kind of approach, which maybe a
single kind, a combination of two or the application of all techniques.

c. Warming Up – This is done by preliminary or exploratory questions to clear the

atmosphere, promote a conducive ground for cordiality, respect and trust for each other.

d. Cognitive Interview – The subject now is asked to narrate his account without
interruption, intervention or interference. It is only after the completion of the uninterrupted
narration that the investigator begins his direct and cross-examinations.

RULES IN QUESTIONING A PERSON

a. One Question at a Time – Multiple, complex and legalistic questions should be avoided.
One question at a time is desired.

b. Avoid Implied Answers – The nod of the head or any other body language as a response
to the questions should be avoided. The answers must be oral, clear, explicit and responsive to
the questions.

c. Simplicity of Questions – A short simple question at a time is required. If the answer

needs qualification, then, it should be allowed. Avoid legalistic questions such as: who is the
murderer; or who are in conspiracy with the subject.

d. Saving Faces – Embarrassing questions on the subject on matters of exaggeration or

honest errors about time, distance and description can be avoided if the investigator will
cooperate with the subject “to save his face”. The investigator should not fault or ridicule the
subject on these matters.
e. Yes and No Answers – Do not ask questions which could be answered by yes or no only.
It will curtail the complete flow of information and will lead to inaccuracy.

Note: The interviewer should always leave the door open for a re-interview. Don’t forget to
say ‘’THANK YOU’’ after the interview.

TYPES OF WITNESSES ACCORDING TO THEIR ATTITUDE

a. Know-Nothing Type – These are the reluctant type of witnesses.

b. Disinterested Type – This is the uncooperative and indifferent subject.

c. The Drunken Type – The style of questioning by the investigator should be adapted to the
psychology of the subject. When the drunken subject has sobered, another interview will be
conducted, confronting him about his disclosures while in the state of drunkenness. The written
statement must be taken during his sobriety.

d. Talkative Type – These are witnesses who are prone to exaggerate, adding irrelevant or
new matters to their narration.

e. Honest Witnesses – These are the truthful and cooperative witnesses where the
investigator could rely upon, with little or no problem in handling them.

f. Deceitful Witness – These are the liar type of witnesses.

g. Timid Witnesses – They are the shy witnesses. The approach must be friendly and
reassuring confidentiality of their information. They should be hidden from the devouring press
by interviews or photo sessions.

h. Refusal to Talk Witnesses – These are the most difficult subjects to deal with. Find out
the reasons of their personality. The cause maybe trauma, shock, fear, hatred, and others.
Remove these fetters of silence and they will start talking.

INTERROGATION

Interrogation is the vigorous and confrontational questioning of a reluctant suspect about his
participation in a crime. Is the process of obtaining an admission or confession from those
suspects which means that the suspect is confronted about his participation in the commission in
an [Link] the act or process of questioning somebody closely, often in an aggressive manner,
especially as part of an official investigation or trial

Goals of interrogation:

 To find out the truth about the crime.

 To obtain an admission or confession of guilt from the suspect.

 To gain all facts in order to determine the method of operation or modus operandi and the
circumstances of the crime in question.

 To collect information that guides investigators to arrive at a logical conclusion.

CONFESSION DISTINGUISHED FROM ADMISSION

 Confession is the declaration of the accused acknowledging his guilt arising from the
commission of a crime.

 Admission is an acknowledgement of a fact or circumstance without accepting guilt.

Guilt maybe inferred in admission. When an accused confessed to the commission of a crime, he
accepts the facts constituting the offense but if he interposes self-defense or other exculpatory
grounds, then his acknowledgement is not a confession but admission.

KINDS OF CONFESSION

1. Extra Judicial Confession – Those made by the suspect during custodial investigation.
Simply explained are that those confessions are made outside of the Court.

Sec 3, Rule 133, Rules of Court – Extra judicial confession, not sufficient
ground for conviction: An extra judicial confession made by an accused, shall not be sufficient
ground for conviction, unless corroborated by evidence of corpus delicti (body of the crime.)

2. Judicial Confession – Those made by the accused in open Court. The plea of guilt maybe
during arraignment or any stage of the proceedings where the accused changes his plea of not
guilty to guilty.

Sec. 2, Rule 129, Rules of Court states that “Judicial Admission is made
by the party in the pleadings, or in the course of the trial or other proceedings do not require
proof and cannot be contradicted unless previously shown to have been made through palpable
mistake.”

KINDS OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL CONFESSION

a. Voluntary Extra-judicial Confession- The confession is voluntary when the accused speaks of
his free will and accord, without inducement of any kind, with a full and complete knowledge of
the nature and the consequence of the confession.

b. Involuntary Extra-judicial Confession- Confessions obtained through force, threat,

intimidation, duress or anything influencing the voluntary act of the confessor.
IMPORTANT NOTE:

Confessions obtained from the defendant by means of force or intimidation/violence is

NULL AND VOID, and cannot be used against him/her in the trial.

A confession made under the influence of spiritual advice or exhortation is not

admissible.

The same through as confession made under the influence of paternal sentiment is not
admissible as evidence.

Phases of interrogation;

a. Planning and preparation – this refers to the interrogator keep himself aware on the situation
and he must observe and analyze the interrogee without his knowledge.

b. Approach – in this step, the interrogator should keep in mind to gain rapport with the subject.

c. Questioning – this is considered the hearth of interrogation. Were all techniques could apply to
obtain information from the subject.

d. Termination – this refers to the ending of the interrogation process, and it should end in a
friendly manner.

e. Recording – this refers to place in document the result of the interrogation, in this process it is
advisable to tape record all conversation.

f. Reporting – this is the end product of the interrogation.

THE TECHNIQUES OF INTERROGATION

A. EMOTIONAL APPEAL – This is a technique where the investigator, combining his
skills of an actor and a psychologist, addresses the suspect with an emotional appeal to confess.
Devotees of a religion may belong to this type.

B. SYMPATHETIC APPROACH – The investigator, in his preliminary or probing

questions must dig deep into the past troubles, plight and unfortunate events in the life of the
suspect. An offer of help, kindness, friendliness, may win his cooperation.

C. FRIENDLINESS – A friendly approach coupled with a posture of sincerity may induce

the suspect to confess.

D. TRICKS AND BLUFF TECHNIQUES

(1) The Pretense of Solid Evidence against the Accused

(2) The Weakest Link

(3) Drama

(4) Feigning Contact with Family Members

(5) The Line Up Method (Accused is lined-up among suspects)

(6) Reverse Line Up (Accused is alone and coached witnesses and victims are piled to
make accusations against the accused)

E. STERN APPROACH – The investigator displays a stern (demands immediate response)

personality towards the suspect by using the following methods:

 Jolting – In the questioning process, the investigator selects the right moment to shout a
pertinent question in an apparent righteous outrage. The suspect’s nerves will break to a
confession.
 Opportunity to Lie – The suspect is given all the opportunities to lie. The suspect is
questioned about his personal life, family, friends and his knowledge about the complainant and
witnesses. Then the suspect is questioned about his activity prior, during and after the
commission of the crime.

 F. THE MUTT AND JEFF OR SWEET AND SOUR METHOD

– The first set of investigators must appear to be rough, mean and dangerous.
When they had finished the interrogation, the second investigator intervenes by

stopping the first set of investigators. By being sympathetic and understanding, he begins his
interrogation. If the suspect still refuses to cooperate, then the process is repeated until there is a
confession.

 G. REMOVING THE ETHNIC OR CULTURAL BARRIER

– If the suspect is anGaddang, an Gaddang investigator and the same should interrogate
him, the same with other ethnic or cultural groups. It is the Filipino’s way of life that we put our
trust and confidence to those who belong to our clan or tribe. The interrogation must be in the
language or dialect of the suspect so that we could get his full confidence. This is removing the
language barrier.

 H. SEARCHING FOR THE SOFT SPOT

– In every man’s heart, there is always that softest spot. The heart may have been
hardened to steal by poverty, destitution, hopelessness, despair, apathy, indifference, injustice,
hatred or other factors, yet there is always that spot which could be discovered by the
investigator thru his knowledge of human behavior. That spots maybe the youngest child, the
wife, the mother, and the brother who acted as his father, the grandparents or the best friend.

ADDITIONAL MODERN TECHNIQUES OF INTERROGATION

a. Rationalization – It is the use of reasons, which is acceptable to the subject that led to the
commission of the crime. Thus, it maybe said that sometimes, killing is a necessity rather than
by purpose or design. Robbery maybe a necessity to feed a starving family.
b. Projection – It is the process of putting the blame to other persons, not alone to the
suspect. The murderer may blame the mastermind for corrupting him with big sums of money,
or the mastermind blaming the greediness of the victim or the husband blaming the wife for her
infidelity.

c. Minimization – It is the act of minimizing the culpability of the suspect. The

investigator convinces the suspect that a confession will reduce the offense and the penalty.
Thus, the investigator could study it if there is a way to downgrade murder to homicide or the
introduction of mitigating circumstances with the result of the penalty being within the range of
probation.

The following are signs of deception, which may help the investigator corner the subject, some
of which are:

a. Pulsation of the carotic (neck)artery.

b. Excessive activity of the Adam’s apple.
c. Avoiding the eyes of the interrogator, swinging one leg over the other foot-wiggling,
wringing of the hands, tapping of fingers, picking fingernails, etc.
d. Dryness of the mouth.
e. Swearing to the truthfulness of assertions. This is frequently used by guilty subjects to
strengthen their assertions of innocence.
f. ‘’Spotless Past Record’’ – ‘’Religious Man’’. These are asserted to support statements
which the subject knows, and realizes the interrogator knows, to be false.
g. A ‘’Not That I Remember’’ or ‘’ As Far As I Know’’ expression should be treated as a
veiled admission or half-truth.

Modes of Extra-judicial Identification of Accused

a. Show-ups – where accused alone is brought face-to-face with the witness for
identification
b. Mug shots – where photographs are shown to the witness for identification
c. Line-ups – where a witness identifies the suspect from a group of persons lined up for the
purpose
 Identification will be admissible if it passes the totality of circumstances test which
considers the following factors:

i. The witness’ opportunity to view the criminal at the time of the crime
ii. Witness’ degree of attention at that time
iii. Accuracy of any prior description by the witness
iv. The level of certainty demonstrated by the witness at the identification
 v. Length of time between the crime and identification
vi. Suggestiveness of the identification procedure

INSTRUMENTATION

This is sometimes called Criminalistics. It is the process of applying instruments or tools of the
police sciences in criminal investigation and detection. This is the use of the Police Laboratory in
the examination of physical evidences.

INSTRUMENTATION

– it is a process of applying instruments or tools of the Police Sciences in criminal

Investigation and detection (the used of Police Laboratory)

- It is the application of instruments and the laws of physical sciences in the investigation
and detection of crimes and criminals. This is otherwise known as CRIMINALISTICS.

Methods of Instrumentation:

1. Polygraph Examination or Lie Detector Test,

POLYGRAPHY or POLYGRAPH SCIENCE is the scientific method of detecting
deception using an instrument called polygraph. Some people consider polygraphy as the
new name of lie detection.

POLYGRAPH, A polygraph is a scientific instrument that simultaneously records the

changes in physiological processes of the human body and capable of recording internal
bodily changes, such as blood-pressure/pulse-rates, respiration, electro-dermal properties of
the skin or the Galvanic Skin-Reflex (GSR), which are indicative of emotional excitement,
especially lying, when questioned.

In polygraphy, the SUBJECT refers to the person to be (or being) examined, usually a
suspected criminal. The subject is also called examinee.
 The EXAMINER is the expert in polygraph science who uses polygraph instrument to verify
truthfulness of a subject’s statement or testimony. Other descriptions for the examiner
are polygraphist, forensic psychophysiologist (FP) and polygraph examiner (PE).
The REQUESTING PARTY refers to the person or persons who ask for the services of the
examiner to help verify the truthfulness of a subject’s statement or testimony. The
requesting party is usually the investigator of the case that requires the polygraph
examination.
POLYGRAPH TEST It is the actual test whereby the reactions of the subject on a specific
stimulus are being recorded using the polygraph instrument. is the specific part of the
polygraph examination that transpires from the moment the chart drive (kymograph) is
turned on until it is turned off.
PRE-TEST INTERVIEW is the first official stage of polygraph examination whereby the
subject is informed about the nature of the examination including his rights in relation to the
examination and conditioned to take the test. During pre-test interview, the subject is
conditioned for the next stage of examination known as instrumentation.
INSTRUMENTATION is the stage of polygraph examination whereby polygraph instrument
is actually used while asking questions to the subject. This is also known as the actual
test. It encompasses chart collection and chart analysis.
POST-TEST QUESTIONING refers to the questioning that concludes the examination, either
in the form of post-test interview or post-test interrogation.

What are the objectives of using Polygraph services?

In crime detection and investigation, the common objectives of using polygraph services
are the following:
1. To ascertain if a person (witness/suspect) is telling the truth
2. To locate the fruit/s and/or instruments of the crime under investigation
3. To obtain additional investigative leads to the facts of the case/offense
4. To locate the whereabouts of suspects and wanted persons
5. To identify suspects, witnesses, and/or victims involved in the criminal/civil case.
6. To recover valuable information from reluctant witnesses
7. To eliminate innocent suspects

What are the principal uses of polygraph examination?

There are 5 main uses of polygraph examination.
1. Aid in investigation of criminal and civil cases
2. Speeds up investigation process
3. Eliminate innocent suspects
4. Pre-employment screening
5. Personnel test for honesty
 What are the limitations of the polygraph instrument?

The polygraph instrument is -

1. invaluable investigative aid but never a substitute for an investigation.

2. not a lie detector, it is only a scientific diagnostic instrument.
3. not capable of determining facts, it only records responses of the subject.
4. not 100% accurate or 100% reliable, its accuracy depends on the examiner’s
competency.

2. Police Photography
Police Photography is the study of the general techniques of photographing the crime scene,
physical evidences, and other circumstances that can be used for law enforcement purposes.
It is a field that focuses on the practical application of photography in police work (law
enforcement operations).

Forensic Photography is that field covering the legal application of photography in criminal
jurisprudence and criminal investigation. It is that branch of forensic science, , dealing with
the:
1. Study of the fundamental but pragmatic principles of photography;
2. Application of photography in law enforcement; and
3. Preparation of photographic evidences needed by prosecutors and courts of law.

Fields of Photography Significant in Police Work

 Photomicrography - involves the process of photographing minute objects when

magnified by means of the microscope and enlarged 10 times (10x) or larger
 Photomacrography - involves the process of photographing objects that are directly
enlarged at the negatives and magnified up to 9X only
 Infra-red Photography - the technique of photographing or recording unseen objects by
means of infra-red light and infra-red film; example is the practice of photographing
charred or burnt materials & overwritten texts
 Ultraviolet Photography - the technique of photographing unseen objects by the use of
ultra-violet light and filters; example is the process of photographing overwritten text and
marked money
 X-ray Photography - X-ray photography involves the process of photographing or
recording internal structure of the huma
 n body

3. Forensic Medicine
Legal Medicine - is the branch of medicine which deals with the application of medical
knowledge to the purposes of law and justice.

Forensic Medicine - is a branch of medical science which deals with the application of
medical knowledge to elucidate legal problems.

Methods of Preserving Evidences:

Photography and sound recording, video, audio, microfilm.

Sketching

Description

Testimony of witnesses/ Preservation in the mind of Witnesses

Manikin Method

Kinds of Witnesses:

Expert Witness the opinion of the witness regarding a question of science, arts or
trade, where he is skilled therein, may be received in evidence.

Ordinary Witnesses- all persons who, having organs of sense, can perceive, the
perceiving can make known their perception to others, may be witnesses.

Medico-legal aspect of Identification.

When an unknown body is found, the following should be noted by the investigator to
facilitate identification:

1. Place where body was found.

2. Time when found

3. Caused of death
 4. Time when death occurred

5. Approximate age

6. Supposed profession

7. Description of the body

Points of identification Applicable to both living and death before onset of

decomposition.

1. Occupation mark 7. Deformitics

2. Race [Link] marks

a. color of skin [Link] leaving permanent result

b. Feature of face 10. Moles

3. Stature 11. Scars

4. Teeth [Link] marks

5. Tattoo marks [Link] organ

6. Weight [Link] group

15. Finger prints

Signs of Death

1. Cessation of heart action and circulation.

2. Cessation respiration – for a period not longer than 3-1/2 minutes.

3. Cooling of the body (ALGOR MORTIS) – The fall of temperature of 14-20 degrees
Fahrenheit is considered as a certain signs of death.

4. Insensibility of the body and loss of power to move

5. Changes in and about the eye

 6. Loss of cornmeal reflex

7. Clouding of the cornea

Changes in the body following death

1. Stage of Primary flaccidity or stage of muscular irritability –The muscles are

relaxed and capable of contracting when stimulated. The pupils are dilated, the
sphincters are relaxed, and there is incontinence of urination and defecation.
2. Stage of Rigor mortis ( post-mortem rigidly or cadaveric rigidity or death struggle
of muscle) – The whole body becomes rigid due to the contraction of the muscles.
This develops three to six hours after death and may last from 24-36 hours.

3. Stage of secondary flaccidity or decay muscles. – The muscles becomes flaccid,

no longer capable of responding to mechanical to electrical stimulus and the
reaction becomes alkaline.

4. Putrefaction or decay

5. Cadaveric lividity or post-mortem lividity

AUTOPSY

 Autopsy came from the Greek word autopsia, meaning "seeing with your own eyes."

 AUTOPSY (Sometimes Called MEDICOLEGAL EXAMINATION)

is the process by which the PATHOLOGIST or the MEDICO LEGAL OFFICER
conducts an examination on the cadaver to determine the exact cause of death. Autopsy should
be performed at once when there is the slightest reason to suspect the probability of homicide.

 After the autopsy was conducted by a medico-legal officer, a report shall be

accomplished by him to stating the cause of death of the person. The document or report made
by him is called

AUTOPSY/ NECROLOGY REPORT.

 Autopsy is more detailed compared to Post Mortem Examination.
POST MORTEM EXAMINATION is the process of examination conducted by a
medico-legal officer to the cadaver of person at the crime scene to find out facts that may lead to
reasons of death.

4. Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Forensic chemistry is defined as the application of chemical principles in the

examination of physical evidence in solution to problems that arise in connection with the
administration of justice. It encompasses a large field in the determination and analysis of the
crime evidence.

Forensic toxicology is a hybrid of analytical chemistry and fundamental toxicological

principles. It is concerned primarily with the medico-legal aspect of the harmful effects of
chemicals on humans and animals as well.

The role of the forensic toxicologist is limited to matters that pertain to violations of
criminal law. This is the most difficult criminalistic procedure since it needs a great deal of
experience and a large amount of laboratory works to make the analysis.

A forensic chemistry laboratory can:

- Examine blood and other bodily fluids

- Determine gunpowder residues and explosives.
- Examine wine, vinegar, and other substances for unfair trade competition.
- Examine prohibited and regulated drugs.
- Examine the chemical aspects of hair, textile fibers, and documents.
- Examine glass fragments, fractures, and moulage.
- Examine the nature, physiological action, chemical and physical dosage, detection,
and treatment of poisons.

5. Forensic Ballistics

WHAT IS FORENSIC BALLISTICS?

- refers to the science of investigation and identification of firearms and ammunition

used in crimes.
 - The term Forensic originated from the Latin word FORUM, meaning market place,
because this is where judicial trials of Rome during the Roman times or it means
debatable argumentation in relation to the court of justice.
- More broadly, the word Forensic has become almost synonymous with Legal. For
instance “FORENSIC MEDICINE” means Legal Medicine.

WHAT IS BALLISTICS?

- is the science that deals with the study of the motion of the projectile or simply the
science of firearms identification.
- in its legal meaning, it is the microscopic examination of fired cartridge cases and
bullets together with the recording and presentation by means of photography or
what is revealed by the microscope.

IMPORTANCE OF FORENSIC BALLISTICS;

1. Firearms identification plays an important role in the administration of justice.

2. This science has advantage over confessions, direct witness and other circumstantial
evidence.
3. It is regarded as the highest form of uncontestable and conclusive piece of evidence with
the utmost legal significance.

Some important term;

1. Caliber – is a term used to indicate the bore diameter measured from land to land.
2. Gauge – as applied to shotgun indicates that the bore diameter of a lead ball whose weight
in pounds is equal to the reciprocal gauge index.
3. Bullet Recovery Box – is a device for catching test bullets fired from the suspected
firearms or weapons.
4. Photomicrographic Camera – a camera used by connecting the camera with the ocular of
the bullet comparison microscope for permanently recording the microscope image.
5. Pitch of rifling – is the distance that the rifling advances to make one complete turn.
6. Caliper – a measuring device used in the calibration of bullets and gun bores.
7. Choke – the constriction of a shotgun bore at the muzzle at various ranges or degrees
designed to control pellet charged at the target.
8. Chronograph – instruments which measure the velocity of projectiles.
9. Class Characteristics – those which are determinable prior to the manufacturer of the
firearm and are Bullet Comparison Microscope – is a microscope especially designed to
 permit workers to determine points of similarity or difference between two objects by
observing their multi-magnified images simultaneously in a single microscope field.
10. Individual Characteristics – those which are determinable only after the manufacturer of
the firearms. They are characteristics whose existence is beyond the control of man and
which have random about by the tools in their normal in a firearms resulting through wear
and tear abuse mutilation, corrosion, erosion and other fortuitous causes.
11. Recoil – the equal and opposite reaction of the gun against the forward movement of the
bullet during explosion.

6. Dactyloscopy

DACTYLOSCOPY – is the study of classification of fingerprints as a means of identification.

 from root word Dactyl (dactile)

 GREEK word DAKTYLOS meaning FINGER.

SCIENCE OF FINGERPRINTS

 is the most positive means of personal identification. It has been found out that
the intricate pattern on the fingers are permanent to individual and never undergo
a natural change., except in the size of the pattern during the life time of
individual.
 Friction skin patterns/designs/ formations appear on the finger tips, palms of the
hands and soles of the feet five (5) months before birth to DEATH.
 FINGERPRINTS probability of an individual to have the same fingerprint is 1:64
billion.

DEFINITION OF FINGERPRINTS

As an IMPRESSION:

It is the reproduction of pattern or design formed by the ridges on smooth surface of the
end joint by the fingers or thumb, through the medium of ink or any coloring substance capable
of producing visibility.

As a SCIENCE:

It is the identification of person by means of the ridges appearing on the fingers, on the
palms and on the soles of the feet.
NATURE OF FINGERPRINT AND PRINCIPLES

1. PRINCIPLES OF CONSTANCY – Fingerprint ridges are formed during the third to fourth
or sometimes fifth month of fetal development. These ridges consist of individual characteristics
called ridge endings, bifurcations, dots ad many ridge shape variances.

This principles was proven by Sir William James Herschel whose fingerprint
had been recorded in the span of almost 57 years in a different event and age of his life.

2. PRINCIPLES OF INDIVIDUALITY - no two fingerprints of different person or the

neighboring finger of the same person have ever been found to be identical or exactly alike in all
respects, and it has been studied and proven that ridges appearing in a fingerprints of man
wherein it has been used as an infallible means of identification.

3. Principles of Infallibility

Fingerprint is exempt from error of judgment. Mans fingerprints cannot be forged.

Criminals have tried to destroy their fingerprints in an effort to fool Justice, even if they cut his
finger with a razor, or knife, time brought new ridge to the surface. True, there were scars in the
lower layer of the skin, but the patterns were so distinct that when classifying will show positive
identification of the its real identity.

7. Questioned Document Examination

DOCUMENT

Is any material which contain marks, symbols or signs either visible, partially visible
or invisible that may presently or ultimately convey a meaning or message to someone.
Pencil or ink writing, typewriting or printing on paper is its most usual form.

QUESTIONED DOCUMENT

- Any document about which some issue has been raised or under scrutiny, with respect
to its genuineness and its origin.

Holographic Document refers to any document completely signed and written by one person.

Graphology refers to the study of handwriting to determine one personality trait. This is not part
of handwriting analysis and is not considered a science.

Albert S. Osborn, considered as the “Father of Questioned Documents” published his work
Questioned Documents in 1910. In 1935, the Lindbergh baby kidnapping case, State vs.
Hauptmann Osborn proved in court as an expert witness that the accused Bruno Richard
Hauptmann had written all of the ransom notes found or sent after the abduction of the son of
Charles A. Lindbergh leading to the conviction of the accused.

Questioned document examination principally covers:

- Identification of seal, stamps and other authenticating devices.

- Examination of handwriting which includes signatures' and handwriting for the purpose of
determining authorship or their genuineness.
- Examination of type prints and typewriting for the purpose of determining their source or
genuiness
- Detection of alteration
- Restoration of obliterated writing
- Decipherment of erased writing
- Determination of age of documents.

CARE, PRESERVATION AND HANDLING OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EVIDENCE

1. Disputed documents should not be cut , torn in any manner mutilated in the slightest degree.

2. Documents should not be touched with an eraser or any kind, nor with pen , pencil, or sharp
instrument of any character.

3. Documents should not be folded in any new place.

4.. Documents should not be folded and unfolded unnecessarily.

5. Except by special permission, no chemicals should applied to papers in any manner that will
injure deface them, and test of this kind should be made only by those properly qualified to make
them.

6. Never point closely at letters or any parts of it with a pencil

5. Teaching and learning activities

Activity #1

1. Demonstrate via messenger video call/zoom the gathering of information

2. Demonstrate via messenger video call/zoom the conduct of interview and
interrogation, some of your family will be the subject
3. Powerpoint reporting presentation with video clip on youtube the different types
of instrumentation used.

6. Flexible Teaching Learning Modalities (FTLM) adopted.

 Online (synchronous)

//Sedi, Edmodo, google classroom, moodle, schoology, Podcast etc..

Remote (asynchronous)

//module, case study, exercises, problems sets, etc…

- Face-to-face(if permitted)

7. Assessment Task
- Quiz and recitation
- Rubrics for demonstration and reporting
8. References (preferably copyrighted within the last 5 years)
Sumad-on, DT. 2020. Fundamentals of investigation and intelligence. Wiseman book
trading, Inc. Quezon City

Florendo, A 2019. Fundamentals of investigation. Wiseman book trading, Inc. Quezon

City

Bajita, J., Bayag-o, R., and Gapit, M., 2014. Criminology Memory Aid in Crime
Detection & Investigation.

ISUE__ __ Syl ___

Revision: 02

Effectivity: August 1, 2020