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FIRST RESPONDER (FR) are members of the PNP or other law enforcement agencies who are mandated and

d expected to be the first to respond to calls for assistance in cases of incidents of crime. They generally refer to police officers who have jurisdiction of the area where the incident or crime has taken place and will proceed to the crime scene to render assistance to the victim and to protect and secure the incident scene Crime Scene Response involves particular police procedures: First responders responsibility responsible in the protection and preservation of the crime scene, identification and assistance to injured persons, and call for emergency assistance. Second, Investigators-on-case responsibility to determine cause or motive of the crime, identification and interview of witnesses, and possible arrest of suspects. Third, Crime Laboratorys Scene of Crime Operation for the search, recognition, collection, handling, preservation, and documentation of physical evidences that will support the successful prosecution in court.

However, in areas where no SOCO Team would be readily available, the investigator should assume the responsibilities of the scene of crime operatives. Functions and responsibilities of the First Responders during Crime Scene Investigation as stated in SOP No. ODIDM-2011-003 The first Police Officers to arrive at the scene are the FRs who were dispatched by the local police stations/unit concerned after receipt of incident/flash/alarm report; Immediately, the FR shall conduct a preliminary evaluation of the crime scene. This evaluation should include the scope of the incident, emergency services required, scene safety concerns, administration of life-saving measures, and establishment of security and control of the scene. The FR is mandated to save and preserve life by giving the necessary first aid measures to the injured and their medical evacuation as necessary. The FR shall likewise secure and preserve the crime scene by cordoning the area to prevent unauthorized entry persons; The FR shall take the dying declaration of severely injured person/s, if any. The FR shall make the initial assessment on whether a crime has actually been committed and shall conduct the preliminary interview of witnesses to determine what and how the crime was committed. If and when there is a suspect present in the area, the first responder shall arrest, detain and remove the suspect from the area; and The FR, upon the arrival of the IOC, shall turn-over the crime scene to the duty investigator/IOC after the former has briefed the investigator of the situation. The FR shall prepare and submit the CSI Form 1 First Responders Report to the IOC and prepared to assist the IOC in the investigation. Duties of the First Responder at the Crime Scene: 1. Evaluate the situation. 2. Save and Preserve life and provide emergency first aid for those injured at the scene. 3. Prepare to take Dying Declaration of severely injured person, if any. 4. Arrest, detain, and remove any suspect present if more than one (1), isolate.

5. Cordon the crime scene with whatever materials like ropes, straws, human barricade, police line if available.(To secure and preserve the crime

scene.)

6. Prevent entry of unauthorized persons within the cordoned area. 7. Conduct preliminary evaluation at the crime scene and interview witnesses to determine what and how crime was committed and write down details.

8. Prepare to brief the investigators of the situation upon their arrival. (Turn-over the crime scene to the investigator)

Duties of the First Responder at the Crime Scene: Other Considerations: 1. Recording of pertinent information such as time, date and place of incident, weather condition, names and addresses of witnesses. 2. Note the position of the victim upon arrival/ discovery of the victim. 3. Take note the identity of person/s who entered the crime scene prior to the arrival of the investigator and the SOCO.

Requisites of a Dying Declaration The death is imminent and the declarant is conscious of that fact; That the declaration refers to the cause and surrounding circumstances of such death; That the declaration relates to facts which the victim is competent to testify to, and; That the declaration is offered in a case wherein the declarants death is the subject of inquiry. (Section 37, Rule 130 of the Rules of Court). The First Responder shall also check the condition of the victim while 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 1. Bring the victim immediately to the nearest hospital using emegency services; 2. Photograph and make a sketch of the victim (if the victim is dead); 3. Get the dying declaration; if necessary (ask 3 questions) a) Ano ang pangalan at address mo? b) Kilala mo ba ang gumawa nito sayo? 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 thumbmark of the victim.

B. If not in serious condition 1. Bring the victim immediately to the nearest hospital using emergencyservices; 2. Get the identity of the victim; 3. Get initial interview from the victim.

NOTE: The other member/s of the first responders shall remain at the crime scene to secure the premises.

C. If the suspect is arrested at the crime scene: 1. Get the names of the persons who turned- over or arrested the suspect; 2. Isolate the arrested suspect/s and separate them from any probable witness of the incident; 3. Record what time the suspect was arrested; 4. Wait for the investigator to interview the suspect; 5. If the suspect volunteers any statement, take note of the time, location and circumstances of the statements. First Responders responsibility 1. identify and retain for questioning the person who first notified 2. determine the perpetrator by direct inquiry or observation if identity is not immediately apparent 3. retain (if possible) all persons at the scene 4. separate all witnesses so that independent statements can be obtained later. 5. prevent unauthorized persons from entering the crime scene or disturbing it in any manner Entering the Crime Scene Refrain, unless for the following limited purposes: 1. Determine that the crime was committed 2. Aide the victim (a victims care takes consideration) 3. To apprehend the perpetrator. 4. To secure the crime scene. 5. Preserving and Protecting the Crime Scene Means: Crime scene protection starts with the initial responding officer and must continue throughout the entire time that the crime scene is under the control of the police and involves every member of the of the police department as well as others that may come in contact with the crime scene. Preserving and Protecting the Crime Scene Means: keeping the site of the crime in the same physical condition as it was left by the criminal. Anyone who comes in contact with the crime scene must prevent the obliteration or deterioration of tangible clues. precedence over evidence

Touching or moving objects and walking on, or otherwise disturbing footprints or items of evidence will destroy the value and reliability of evidence.

STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED UPON ARRIVAL AT THE SCENE: 1. Record time/date of arrival at the scene, location of the scene, condition of the weather, condition and type of lighting, direction of wind and visibility; 2. Secure the crime scene by installing crime scene tape or rope (police line); 3. Before touching or moving any object of the crime scene, 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 of someone must call for ambulance from the nearest hospital. After the victim is removed and brought to the hospital for medical attention, measures, sketch and photograph. Only a STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED UPON ARRIVAL AT THE SCENE: coroner or a medical examiner shall remove the dead body unless unusual circumstances justified its immediate removal. 4. Designate a member of the team or summon other policemen or responsible persons to stand watch and secure the scene and permit only those authorized persons to enter the same; 5. Identify and retain for questioning the person who first notified the police, and other possible witness; 6. Determine the assailant through inquiry or observe him if his identity is immediately apparent. Arrest him if he is in the vicinity; 7. Separate the witnesses in order to get independent statements.

DEFINITION OF TERMS Scene of Crime Operation is a forensic procedure performed by trained personnel of the PNP Crime Laboratory through scientific methods of investigation for the purpose of preserving the crime scene, gathering information, documentation, collection, and examination of all physical evidence. Crime Scene Investigation is a comprehensive inquiry of a crime by conducting systematic procedure of various investigative methodologies which involves recovery of physical and testimonial evidence for the purpose of identifying the witnesses, and arrest of perpetrator(s) for prosecution.

Crime Scene- is the place from which most physical evidence associated with crime will be obtained. Physical Evidence Encompasses any and all objects that can establish that a crime has been committed or can provide a link between a crime and its victim or a crime and its perpetrator. Forensic Science Is the application of science to a law.

Legal Authority in Conducting SOCO 1. Chapter 3, Section 24, paragraph c and Section 35 of RA 6975 as amended by RA 8551. 2. NAPOLCOM Resolution Nr 96-058 in 1996.

3. PNP CLSO # 01-95 dtd November 16, 1995 4. RA 9165 The Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2003. 5. Rule 13 Special Procedures of PNP Operational Procedures. 6. CL Circular Number - 01-08 dated May 1, 2008 FUNCTIONS/CAPABILITIES 1. MEDICO-LEGAL EXAMINATION 2. FORENSIC CHEMISTRY 3. PHYSICAL IDENTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION 4. DOCUMENT EXAMINATION AND ANALYSIS 5. FINGERPRINT EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION 6. FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION 7. FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY 8. POLYGRAPH OR LIE DETECTOR TEST 9. COMPOSITE CRIMINAL ILLUSTRATION 10.SCENE OF CRIME OPERATION (SOCO) 11.DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA) TESTING - Human identification through analysis and classification of cellular components. 12.EXPERT TESTIMONY IN COURT 13.FORENSIC RESEARCH AND TRAINING Locards Law or Principle Locards Principle summarizes the two way transfer of trace evidence as: When A comes into contact with B, something from A is transferred to B and vice versa. i.e. every contact leaves a trace.

Theory of transfer When two objects come into contact, there will frequently be a transfer of small amounts of material from one to the other. Thus, when suspects come in contact with the victim and objects at the crime scene, they frequently leave behind traces of themselves and take with them traces of any objects touched. This also applies to police officers and crime scene specialists. Theory of transfer Materials transferred in this way are normally referred to as trace evidence. The term trace evidence is usually very loosely defined; however, most often it is applied to minute or microscopic bits of materials that are not immediately apparent to even a trained investigator. Two types of Responses 1. Scene of Crime Operations (SOCO) 2. Field Laboratory Works SOCO Assistance:

A. In cases where the crime scene needs special processing due to its significance or because of its sensational nature, the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) specialists of the Crime Laboratory shall be requested. B. If the situation involves a clandestine drug laboratory, biological weapons, radiological or chemical threats, the appropriate agency should be contacted prior to entering the scene. A. SIGNIFICANT CASES FOR SOCO RESPONSES Bombing incident CT initiated terrorist activities Raid, ambuscade, liquidation KFR case Armed Robbery of Banks and other Financial institution Calamity/Disaster Massacre Heinous crimes (as the law defines) Murder, Homicide, Arson, Rape with Homicide

B. SENSATIONAL CASES FOR SOCO RESPONSES if any of the following are victims or perpetrators of crime; Elected Public Officials (Brgy Captain up to President of the RP) Appointed public officials with the rank of commissioner, secretary, and undersecretary Foreign diplomat Any Foreigner PNP/AFP personnel Ex-high ranking government officials Other prominent figures such as movie stars, sports stars, Tri-media practitioners, prominent businessman, professionals, and prominent leaders of religious organization OTHER SOCO RESPONSES Collection of paint fragments, hairs, fibers and glass fractures at the crime scene in cases of vehicular accidents, robbery in car and/or carnapping. Collection of ashes and debris in relation to arson cases. Bullet trajectory examination of motor vehicles at the crime scene or other objects involved in shooting incidents. Lifting of latent prints in relation to simple theft and robbery cases. Collection of physical evidence at the crime scene in relation to bombing incidents. Casting and molding of tool marks, tire marks, footmarks and footwear impressions at the crime scene.

Field Laboratory Works (FLW) 1. Macro-etching examination on defective/tampered chassis/engine numbers of motor vehicles at the compound of the requesting party.

2. Conduct autopsy at the PNP accredited funeral parlor. 3. Conduct document examination in the place of the requesting party. 4. Photographing of evidence related to document examination cases and other forensic fields where physical evidence could not be removed or brought out of the office. 5. Polygraph examination at the office of the investigator if the name of the suspect is highly confidential. 6. Withdrawal of fired bullet embedded in the body of the car or in the wall of a building after the crime. 7. Exhumation of cadavers to determine the cause of death. 8. Fingerprint examination in the place of the requesting unit. 9. Examination of fake products in cases of unfair trade competition in the office of the requesting party. 10. Paraffin examination of suspects and victims of shooting incidents who are confined in hospitals or in the office of the investigating unit. 11. Conduct of drug test in private or government offices. 12. Bringing of bulky evidence in court.

SOCO TEAM ORGANIZATION 1. SOCO Team Leader 2. Photographer 3. Sketcher 4. Evidence Log Recorder/Custodian 5. Driver/Security 6. Evidence Processor/Collector 7. Forensic Specialists (as required) a. Medical Examiner b. Fingerprint Examiner c. Firearms Examiner d. Forensic Chemist

The SOCO Process General SOCO Procedure 1. Preparation prior to the conduct of SOCO. 2. Crime Scene approach. 3. Preliminary Crime Scene Survey with IOC.

4. Evaluation of Physical Evidence. 5. Narrative Description of the Crime Scene. 6. Crime Scene Photography/Videography. 7. Sketch of Crime Scene. 8. Detailed Crime Scene Search. 9. Physical Evidence Recording & Collection. 10. Final Crime Scene Survey with IOC 11.Submit result of SOCO to Investigator-on- case .

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