CDI 1 – Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence

Etymology of INVESTIGATION
• According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “investigation” is derived from old French word of the same name
originally coined around 14th century. It is also similar to latin word “investigare” which means to investigate.
• But what that word actually mean?
• It is the action of investigating; the making of search or inquiry, systematic examination, careful and minute research.

The concept of Investigation in Philippines

The concept of investigation in the Philippines, as in many countries, involves a systematic and thorough process aimed
at collecting, analyzing, and evaluating evidence to establish the truth behind a particular incident, crime, or
issue. Investigation plays a crucial role in law enforcement, the legal system, and various government agencies,
and it serves as a foundation for the pursuit of justice. Here’s an overview of the concept of investigation in the
Philippines

Purpose and Importance:

• Investigation aims to uncover facts, gather evidence, and determine the circumstances surrounding an incident or
alleged crime. It plays a critical role in identifying suspects, understanding motives, and building cases for prosecution.
• The goal of investigation is to establish the truth and ensure that justice is served, both for victims and potential
suspects.

Key Elements:
• Evidence Collection: Investigators gather various forms of evidence, including physical evidence (forensic
evidence, documents, and objects), testimonial evidence (statements from witnesses and parties involved), and
electronic evidence (digital data, online communications).
• Documentation: Accurate and thorough documentation is essential. Investigators record details of the crime scene,
interviews, and evidence in a manner that preserves the integrity of the information collected.
• Analysis: Evidence is analyzed to understand connections, patterns, and potential leads. Advanced techniques and
forensic science may be used to examine physical evidence.
• Interviews and Interrogations: Investigators interview witnesses, victims, and suspects to gather information, elicit
statements, and establish timelines.

Roles and Agencies Involved:

• Law Enforcement Agencies: The Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other
law enforcement agencies conduct investigations into various crimes, ranging from minor offenses to serious offenses
like homicide, kidnapping, and drug-related cases.
• Specialized Units: Some agencies have specialized units dedicated to specific types of investigation, such as the
PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the NBI’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division.

Prosecution and Adjudication:

After investigation, the gathered evidence is presented to prosecutors, who determine whether there is sufficient
evidence to file charges against suspects. If charges are filed, the case proceeds to court for adjudication.

Challenges and Reforms:

• Investigation in the Philippines, like in many countries, faces challenges such as limited resources, capacity issues,
and concerns about corruption. Efforts are ongoing to enhance training, professionalize investigators, and improve
investigative techniques.
• Investigation in the Philippines is a multifaceted process that involves collaboration among law enforcement, legal
authorities, forensic experts, and other stakeholders. The goal is to ensure that investigations are conducted fairly,
thoroughly, and in accordance with the law, leading to the pursuit of justice and the protection of the rights of all parties
involved.
Kinds of Investigation, Types of Investigators, and the various Principles of Investigation.
• Criminal Investigation: This type of investigation focuses on gathering evidence and information related to criminal
activities, such as theft, assault, fraud, and homicide. It aims to identify suspects, motives, and the circumstances
surrounding the crime.
Applied to criminal realm, a criminal investigation refers to the process of collecting information(or evidence)
about a crime in order to:
• Determine if a crime has been committed
• Identify the perpetrator
• Apprehend the perpetrator
• Provide the evidence to support a conviction in a court

Four condition must exist for an act or omission to be considered a crime:

• The act is considered wrong by society
• The act causes harm to society in general or those in need of protection
• The harm is serious
• The remedy must be handled by the criminal justice system

What is criminal investigation, an art or science?

• Criminal Investigation is an applied science that involves the study of facts that are then used to inform criminal trials.
A complete criminal investigation can include searching, interviews, interrogation, evidence collection, and preservation,
and various method of investigation.
• Criminal Investigation is an art because it depends on the skills of the investigator, including interpersonal
communication and creativity. That is not always the case. There have been numerous cases of lab- related errors the
art form comes into play when the science is applied by humans who can make mistakes.
• It is both an art and a science, it is an art because it involves drawings, sketching, photography audio, and video
taking and socialization takes place. It is a science because it involves both qualitative and quantitative research
methods, and investigation follows all rules of research.

Civil Investigation: Civil investigations pertain to non-criminal matters, such as disputes over property, contracts, or
personal matters. These investigations are often conducted to gather evidence for civil lawsuits. Ex. Nullity of marriage,
Corporate Investigation: These investigations involve examining issues within a business context, such as financial
fraud, embezzlement, employee misconduct, and compliance violations.
Typically, the investigation will determine whether or not an employee has broken any company policies or even
laws that can cause further legal issues on behalf of the company. This will also result in corrective actions against
the employee in question, and any other parties who participated in wrongdoing.

• Cybercrime Investigation: With the rise of technology, cybercrime investigations involve tracking digital evidence
related to cybercrimes, hacking, identity theft, and online fraud.
• Forensic Investigation: Forensic investigations involve the application of scientific methods to analyze physical
evidence, such as DNA, fingerprints, and ballistics, to support legal proceedings.
• Forensic investigation is the gathering and analysis of all physical evidence related to a crime in order to reach a
conclusion about a suspect.
• Environmental Investigation: These investigations focus on violations of environmental regulations, pollution,
and other activities that harm the environment. Environmental problems in the Philippines include pollution, mining
and logging, deforestation, threats to environmental activists, dynamite fishing, landslides, coastal erosion, biodiversity
loss, extinction, global warming and climate change.
• Accident Investigation: Accident investigations aim to determine the cause of accidents, such as vehicle crashes,
workplace accidents, and natural disasters.
Office of the Philippines
• PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency)
• PSG ( Presidential Security Group)
Department of National Defense
/ AFP ( Arm Forces of the Philippines)
• PAF ( Philippine Air Force)
• PA ( Philippine Army)
• PN ( Philippine Navy) – PMC (Philippine Marine Corps
Department of the Interior and Legal Government
• BJMP – Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
• PNP – Philippine National Police
• BFP – Bureau of Fire Protection
Department of Operations and Support
• NBI ( National Bureau of Investigation)
• BUCOR ( Bureau of Corrections)
Department of Transportation and Communication
• PPA ( Philippine Ports Authority)

• Private Investigators: Private investigators (PIs) are individuals hired by individuals, businesses, or attorneys to
conduct investigations. They often work on civil cases, infidelity cases, and background checks.
• Forensic Investigators: These professionals specialize in analyzing and interpreting physical evidence collected from
crime scenes or other incidents.
• Cybercrime Investigators: They focus on investigating cybercrimes, including hacking, online fraud, and digital
identity theft.
• Internal Investigators: These investigators within organizations to investigate employee misconduct, fraud, and other
internal matters.
• Accident Investigators: They are trained to determine the cause of accidents and incidents, such as traffic accidents,
workplace incidents, and aviation crashes.

Principles of Investigation:
• Presumption of Innocence: Investigators must approach cases with an open mind and treat all individuals as
innocent until proven guilty.
• Thoroughness: Investigations should be comprehensive and cover all relevant aspects of the case.
• Objectivity: Investigators should remain impartial and free from bias when collecting and analyzing evidence.
• Confidentiality: Sensitive information gathered during an investigation should be handled with care and protected
from unauthorized disclosure.
• Chain of Custody: Maintaining a proper chain of custody ensures the integrity of evidence by tracking its handling
from the crime scene to the courtroom.
• Corroboration: Information and evidence should be cross-checked and verified through multiple sources or methods.
• Documentation: Investigators must maintain accurate and detailed records of their findings, interviews, and actions.
• Legal and Ethical Compliance: Investigations must adhere to legal procedures and ethical standards, respecting the
rights of all parties involved.
• Interviewing and Interrogation: Effective communication skills are crucial when interviewing witnesses, victims, and
suspects to elicit accurate information.
• Teamwork: Collaboration among investigators and other professionals enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of
an investigations.
The primary job of an investigator is to discover the truth of whether or not an offense has been committed
under the law To help absolve the innocent and punish the guilty

The Criminal Investigator (CI)

Is the person who is charged with the duty of carrying on the objective of criminal investigation which involves the
following:
• Positive identification of the guilty party
• Gather evidence to prove their guilt
• Determination of their current whereabouts
• Provide evidence that is admissible in court that will lead to the guilty party’s conviction before the court
• Recover stolen property
• Testify as witness in court

The Six(6) Essential Questions:

Hans Groos, a German Magistrate during the late 19th century is credited for creating the guidelines of modern criminal
investigation which has influenced and guided criminal investigators worldwide for more than one hundred and thirty
years (138 years)
In Hans Groos book on Methods of Criminal Investigation he outlined the six (6) essential elements of a crime which a
criminal investigator must always consider and answer beyond reasonable doubt in order to prove either the guilt or
innocence of a potential crime suspect

The 6 essential questions a CI must answer during the course of a criminal investigation are:
 How was the crime committed?
 Who or Whom committed the crime?
 Where was the crime committed?
 When was the crime committed?
 Why was the crime committed?
 What are the varied circumstances surrounding or related to the crime?