Forensic investigation/pathology is a method on which a resolution of a crime is achieved.

It
determines who the victim was and what injuries were sustained by the victim. It also deals
with the examination of how the injuries were sustained and where and when it occurred. Most
importantly, forensic investigation leads to the determination of who caused the injuries to the
victim.
Forensic investigations primary purpose and objective is to resolve questions leading to a crime
through the production and analysis of any object evidence that may be found in the crime
scene or at any place near or significantly near the crime scene.
Evidence means the discovery, preservation, documentation and analysis of the circumstances
involved in a situation. By discovering the pieces of evidence that may be had, forensic
investigation serves as a reconstruction of events leading to the analysis of injury or death of the
victim.
In conducting such investigation, a forensic scientist must be able to recognize physical
evidence. He must be able to document the crime scene and the evidence. It is his duties to
collect, preserve, transport and make an inventory of the evidence found. Analysis and
interpretation of evidence based on his analysis is his primary role in conducting the
investigation in order to convey to the court his understanding and report of such and of the
expert witness presented.
Physical evidence is a proof of commission of a crime. It is more reliable than an eyewitness
and his testimony. Physcial evidence also is the link to the suspect, the victim and to the crime
scene. Most of the time, physical evidence corroborate the victims testimony and leads to the
suspects confession.
If death is sudden, unexplained, violent or under suspicious circumstances, there is a need to
investigate. Here comes the role of forensic investigators who should see to it that evidence of
death is preserved, collected and transported properly. The evidence must be recognized by the
investigators in the crime scene. This role of forensic scientists is primarily important in
resolving a case or a crime because it is the foundation that will lead the trial court on rendering
its judgment. It is the basic foundation that the court will take into consideration. Next would be
the manner of investigation which includes collection, analysis and interpretation of the pieces
of evidence that were gathered. Finally, the presentation to the trial court.
It is important that a properly conducted forensic investigation is done so as to expedite the
resolution of cases and so as to convict those who really committed the crime and acquit those
that are innocent. When a system of forensic investigation is properly managed, resolution and
disposition of cases will be easy and the justice will be well adjudicated by our Philippine
courts.
Philippines is far behind first world countries who managed to finance their forensic pathology
as a tool to resolve cases in a most practical and conclusive way. Their governments produce
skilled and well equipped investigators to perform their designated function and role in
resolving an issue.
With this, the first world countries are able to adjudicate cases resulting from evidentiary proof
based on the investigation conducted. They managed to collect, preserve and transport evidence
effectively and efficiently through the use of forensic pathology. These pieces of evidence were
successfully handled and secured in order to result to a legitimate conclusion of a fact.
However, modern method of forensic investigation is not practiced here in the Philippines.
Aside from lack of equipment and modern tools to conduct investigation, our investigators also
lack skills and trainings on how to effectively conduct a modernized and efficient investigation
of a crime.

Most of the cases in the Philippines suffered flaws in determining the real cause of injury or
death of a victim as a result of improper methodology in discovering, preserving , documenting
and analysis of the pieces of evidence found or available.
Two of the cases discussed in the seminar were the Jenifer Laude case and the Mamasapano
Massacre case. In the discussion, the speaker presented the manner by which our policemen
conduct its investigation of a certain crime vis--vis the manner by which first world countries
investigators conduct the same.
The difference in the manner of conducting investigation was obvious. The latter shows
sufficient knowledge, training and skill in handling the most important part of the investigation
which is the documentation of the crime scene. Every angle of the camera explains something
and that shows the importance of proper documentation of the crime scene. This is the apparent
difference with the way our policemen investigating. There is mishandling of the documentation
and proper gathering of pieces of evidence which could provide a more reasonable and accurate
conclusion.
These shortcomings in the field of forensic pathology are basically the governments concern.
To provide for financial aid and assistance to the forensic pathology is a milestone in our
country. The initiative is with our Executive Department to finance and give attention to the
field of forensic pathology in order to achieve a productive and efficient resolution of cases.
It is time for the Philippines to adopt the so called First World Forensic where evidence are
properly handled, gathered, preserved, documented, transported, examined and presented in
court without any alterations and by which it will produce conclusions without any bias or mere
speculations.
If such method will be adopted, the adjudication of cases in the Philippines will be speedy,
accurate and justified so as not to prejudice the lives of so many people who were persecuted
without presenting accurate evidence against them and freed those who actually committed
mistakes.
As conclusion, it is established that the role of forensic pathology is of paramount importance.
This can be carried out through conclusive efforts on the part of the government particularly the
Executive and Legislative Department and of the members of the bar to see to it that all
including the investigating officers take necessary action in achieving high standards in
investigating cases presented in court.
I therefore have executed this Affidavit to attest the truth of all the matters I mentioned herein
and for whatever legal purposes it may serve.