Notes

on
FUNDAMENTAL TO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

by: DELMER A. MONDIDO

Licensed Criminologist
(Review Class)
Criminal Investigation Defined
 Criminal Investigation is an art which deals with the identity and location of the offender and
provides evidence of his guilt through criminal proceedings. Inasmuch as it is not a science , it is
not governed by rigid rules of laws but most often, it is governed by intuition, felicity of
inspiration and to a minor extent by chance.
 What is the exception to the general rule that a criminal investigation is not a science but an art.
The exception to the general rule, perhaps in the 1987 Constitution which states among other
things, that an arrested person under custodial investigation is afforded with the three
Constitutional rights:
* The right to remain silent
* The right to counsel
* The right to be informed of the nature and the cause of the
Accusation.

What is the legal consequence if an arrested person under custodial investigation is deprived of the afore
stated constitutional rights?
 Any testimony of statement taken from the arrested person who is deprived of the three
constitutional rights would be inadmissible as evidence in the Courts of Justice.
 On the other hand, the investigator may be held criminally liable for the violation of law.
 Criminal Investigator Defined
 A Criminal Investigator is a person who is charged with the duty of carrying on the
objectives of criminal investigation, e.g. to identify and locate the guilty and provide
evidence of his guilt.
 What are the five qualities of a good investigator?
 The ability to persevere or stick to task inspite of the monotony and the many obstacles
which surrounds it.
 He must have certain abilities and an intelligence which would enable him to acquire
information easily and readily and to use this information truthfully. He should have the
capacity to think through situations. The investigator must be intelligent as the offender.
 He must be honest. He must be incorruptible and must possess personal integrity. The
investigator will be subjected to all kinds of temptations: physical, emotional and
material.
 He must have an understanding of the people and the environment in which he lives.
He must know the weakness and the strength of the people, so that he can use them to his
advantage, particularly during interrogation. A knowledge of the psychology of human
behaviors is essential to the investigator. He should be aware of the factors of the social
pattern that contributes to the kinds of behaviors exhibited by the individual.
 He must a keen power of observations and accurate description. Observation implies a
clear mental picture of what is seen. It requires a seeing detail, a study of detail, and a
recognition that the whole picture is composed of many details. A good investigator must
observe them accurately and completely. He must train himself to observe and perceive
persons, place, things, and incidents as they really are. He must be trained to estimate the
 passage of time, speed, and distance; to recognize colors; to distinguish between varying
degrees of light; to estimate age; height and weight.
 He must be trained to see and record facts and must practice observing and recording facts,
observation without the complimentary ability of description is valueless in investigation work.
The investigator must learn to describe what is observed. The accurate and all inclusive
observation by the individual is meaningless to all even to himself unless he can tell clearly and
precisely what was seen.
The interviewer’s Personal Traits:

1. He must be a practical psychologist who understands the human

psyche and behaviour.
2. He has a sincere interest in people. People who are reclusive generally
are not good interviewers.
3. He is calm, has self-discipline, and keeps his temper.
4. He is courteous, decent and sensitive.
5. He is self-assured and professional. He is tactful,
Example : He knows what to say when and how to say it.
6. He is cordial and agreeable, and never officious. But he should avoid
over familiarity.
7. He is forceful, persistent and patient.
8. He is analytical.
9. He is flexible and cautious.
10. He is a good actor and can conceal his own emotion
11. He avoids third degree tactics and never deviates from the
fundamental principle that a person must be treated according to
humanitarian and legal precepts.
12. He keeps the roles of evidence in mind.

 SUSPECT OR SUSPECTS- an individual who is/ are pointed to be by the victim and witnesses
to have had committed the crime.
 Subject person is not considered a criminal unless otherwise the honorable court will pronounce
in court his/her conviction.
 CRIME SCENE- a venue or place where the alleged crime/ incident/ event has been committed.
 CRIME SCENE SKETCH- a drawn overlay of the crime scene indicating the position or exact
location where the body of the victim lie is/ found including the physical evidence. Likewise it is
the complete description of the crime scene with complete measurement and scale. Sketch or
sketches are substitutes to notes and photos and are only supplatory to both.
 INTERVIEW – a simple inquiry/ conversation type elicitation of information(s) from a willing
victim/ witness relevant to a certain crime/ incident/ event under investigation.
 INFORMATION- data gathered by an investigator from other persons including but not limited
to both the suspect and the victims , and from 1) Public records ;2) private records; and 3) modus
operandi file.
 INTERROGATION- skilful questioning of hostile witness & suspects.
 INSTRUMENTATION- scientific examination of real evidence; application of instrument and
other scientific aids or methods of the physical sciences in detecting crime.
PURPOSE OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
1. To know the crime; its element and circumstances; identity of the victim, the suspects and
witnesses and secure physical evidence.
2. To know the truth;
3. To know the motive
Seven (7) factors responsible for the inaccuracy of recollecting what has been observed.
- Addition of details which were not in the original picture.
- Some items may be dropped from one observation and other items from a different observation
may be integrated by means of substitution.
- Recollection is subject to transposition in time, sequence and arrangement of details
- Focused attention. Some persons, by training will note only certain details and overlook others.
They see only one thing and are oblivious to the rest.
- Transmission of information leads to in accuracy. Words are used to convey description. We all
have difficulty in translating observation into such language as will actually convey our picture.
Mistakes due to communication are laid on the speaker and the listener.
- Incompleteness or simplification. Too much simplification may lead to omission of details which
may in the future be essential in the investigation.
- Too much self confidence in their recall. An investigation may relay too much on his memory of
what has been observed and described through memory, but the recollection may not be vivid and
actual.
-

What are the Golden Rules to be observed by the Investigator upon arrival at the scene of the
crime?
- Identify and if possible, retain for questioning the person who first notified
the police; Determine the perpetrator by direct inquiry or observe him, if
his identity is immediate apparent;
-Detain all persons present at the scene;
-Summon assistance, if necessary;
-Safeguard the area by issuing appropriate orders and by physically
Isolating it;
-Subsequently, permit only authorized persons to enter the area;
-Separate the witnesses in order to obtain independent statements;
-Do not touch or move any object;
-Definitely assign the duties of the search if assistants are present.

One of the Golden Rule is “Do not touch or move any object”; what should then be the primary job
of an investigator before applying this rule?
a) If the victim is still alive, the investigator should try to gather or acquire information
from the victim himself with regard to the surrounding circumstances of the crime, while
calling for assistance for an ambulance from the nearest hospital.
b) Then Measure, sketch and photograph the crime scene immediately after the victim is removed
and brought to the hospital for medical attendance;
c) b) If the victim is dead, the body should be removed only after the crime scene is measured,
sketched, and photographed.
Assignment of duties
If there are many investigators assigned to form a team, the following arrangement is
recommended to insure maximum effectiveness:
1. Officer-in-charge – one who directs the search, assigns duties, and assumes responsibility for the
effectiveness of the search.

2. Assistant – he must implement the orders of the OIC.

 3. Photographer- photographs the crime scene and individual pieces of evidence.

4. Sketcher – makes a rough sketch of the scene given and later a finished sketch.

5. Master Note-taker- writes down in short hand and the observations and descriptions during the
search.
6. Measurer- he makes overall measurements of the scene.

7. Evidence man- one who gather, collect and preserve the evidence.

 Modes of Investigation
 1) Reactive response- addresses crimes that have already occurred.
 2) Proactive response
- To anticipate criminal activity; investigation is conducted before the crime is committed; the
suspect is identified before committing a crime.
 3) Preventive response

- prevention through deterrence is sometimes achieved by arresting the criminal and by

aggressive prosecution.

PURPOSE OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

1. To know the crime; its element and circumstances; identity of the victim, the suspects and
witnesses and secure physical evidence.
2. To know the truth
3. To know the motive

TOOLS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

- Information
- Interview and interrogation
- Instrumentation

PHASES OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

The main objective of police investigator is to gather all facts in order to identify the criminal through:
a. Confession is a direct acknowledgement of the truth of the guilty fact as charged or of some
essential part of the commission of the criminal act itself.

What do you understand by the voluntariness of the confession?

1. The statement obtained by urging or request was a spontaneous or self-induced utterance of
the accused.
2. The statement was obtained without coercion and free from any force or intimidation.
3. The statement was obtained during an official investigation after the accuse was informed
of the nature of the offense, of the fact that he need not make a statement, and of the fact the
evidence can be used against him at a trial.
Effect of CONFESSION
a. May be given in evidence against him in the investigation or trial of the offense with
which he is charge.
b. May be given to prove the guilt of his companions but it will pass lots of court
argumentation and deliberations.

TYPES OF CONFESSION
 1. Judicial confession- confession done in the court.
2. Non- judicial confession or extra- judicial confession- called “out of court’, this kind of
confession is inadmissible in court unless corroborated by proof of corpus delicti.

b. Eyewitness testimony
c. Circumstantial evidence -
is identification established indirectly by proving other facts or
circumstances from which, either alone or in connection with other facts, the identity of the
perpetrator that can be inferred.

When may circumstantial evidence be sufficient to produce conviction?

a. When there are more than one circumstances
b. When the facts from which the inferences derived are proven.
c. When the combination of all circumstances is such as to produce a conviction beyond a
reasonable doubt.

d. Associative evidence-are the physical evidence which may identify the criminal by means of clues,
personal properties, or the characteristics patterns of procedure deduced from the arrangement of objects
at the scene.

Terms Encountered in Investigation:

Chain of Custody
- Refers to the number of persons who handle evidence between the time of commission of the
alleged offense and the ultimate disposition of the case should be kept to a minimum. Each
transfer of evidence should be receipted. The recipient of the evidence shall accountable for it
during the time it is in his possession. He must protect it and he must record the name of the
person from whom he received it and also to whom it was delivered.

Admission
 is a self-incriminatory statement by the subject falling short of an acknowledgement of guilt. It is
a acknowledgement of a fact or circumstances from which guilt maybe inferred.

 It implicates but does not incriminate. Coupled with circumstances such as the existence of a
motive, the admission may provide an inference of guilt.

MODUS OPERANDI
 Means the method of operation. The modus operandi file enables the investigators to recognize a
pattern of criminal behaviour, to associate a group of crime with a single perpetrator to enable
them to predict, approximately, the next target of the criminal, and to assist complaints,
eyewitnesses and investigators to recognize the perpetrator by means of the recorded information
concerning the characteristics of his criminal activities.

Distinguish Motive from Intent

 Motive is that which induces the criminal to act.

 The motive may be the desire to obtain revenge or personal gain. Intent on the other hand, is the
accomplishment of the act. Motive need not be shown in order to obtain conviction, but intent
must always be proved where it is an element of the offence. In some crimes, intent is an essential
 element, while in others, it is merely necessary to show that the accused is aware of the
consequences of his acts.

The Dying Declaration

Statement as to the cause of his death, made by a person who has been physically injured at the
hands of another, and who has given up all hope of recovery and who subsequently dies of such injury.
 Methods of Search
1. Strip Method
The searchers (A,B, & C) proceed slowly at the same pace along the path parallel to one
side of the rectangle. At the end of the rectangle, they turn and proceed back along new lanes but
parallel to the first movement.

STRIP & DOUBLE STRIP

2. Double strip method,

 the rectangle is traversed first parallel to the based and then parallel to the side.

3. Spiral Method
- The searchers follow each other in the path of a spiral, beginning in the outside and
spiraling in towards the center.
 4. Zone Method
- The area to be searched is divided into quadrants and each searcher is assigned to one
quadrant
5. Wheel Method
- The searcher gathers at the center and proceed outward along the radii or spokes.

The principal drawback of this method is that the distance between searchers increases as they
depart from the center. The investigator must see to it that the search made with the employment
of any of the above methods must be thorough. The discovery of any physical evidence in the
course of search must be collected and preserve without specific regard of their relation to the
crime.

CRIME SCENE SKETCH

A graphical representation of the crime scene.

Crime Scene Sketch

The crime scene sketch is an invaluable aid in recording investigative data. It is a permanent record that
provides supplemental information that is not easily accomplished with the exclusive use of crime scene
photographs and notes.

A crime scene sketch depicts the overall layout of a location and the relationship of evidentiary items to
the surroundings.
It can show the path a suspect or victim took and the distances involved. It can be used when questioning
suspects and witnesses. During trial, the crime scene diagram correlates the testimony of witnesses and
serves as a tool for relaying reference and orientation points to the prosecutor, judge and jury.

I. Sketching the Crime Scene

Before beginning a sketch, obtain a comprehensive view of the

scene. Determine the sketch limits – decide what to include
and what to exclude. If the scene is complicated, a number of
sketches may be necessary for adequate documentation.

Types of Sketches
A. Overview sketch
– consists of a bird’s-eye-view or floor plan sketch
of the scene. This is the most common type of sketch and consists
of items on the horizontal plane.

B. Elevation sketch
– portrays a vertical plane rather than a horizontal
plane. Examples include bloodstain patterns on vertical surfaces
such as walls or cabinetry and bullet holes through windows.

C. Exploded view or cross-projection sketch

– consists of a combination of the first two sketches. It is similar to a floor plan except the walls
have been laid out flat and objects on them have
been shown in their relative positions .

D. Perspective sketch – depicts the scene or item of interest in three

dimensions. It is the most difficult sketch to create and requires
some artistic skill .

KINDS OF SKETCH:
1. ROUGH SKETCH
 2. FINISH SKETCH

Three (3) Tools or I’s in Criminal Investigation

1. Information
- is the knowledge which the investigator gathered and acquired from other persons.
 2 kinds of information:
a) Information acquired from regular sources;
b) Information which the experienced investigator gathers from
cultivate sources.

2. Interrogation
- is the process of questioning witnesses and suspects to obtain further information. The
effectiveness of interrogation depends on the craft, logic and psychological insight of the interrogator in
interpreting the information relevant to the case.
Purpose of Interrogation
1. To obtain information concerning the innocence or guilt of a suspect.
2. To obtain confession to the crime from a guilty suspect.
3. To induce the suspect to make admission
4. To know the surrounding circumstances of a crime.
5. To learn of the existence and location of physical evidence such as documents or weapons.
6. To learn the identity of accomplices.
7. To develop information which will lead to the fruits of the crime?
8. To develop additional leads for the investigation.
9. To discover the details of any other crime in which the suspect participated.
10. In proving the guilt of the accused in court, the fact of the existence of the crime must be
established; the defendant must be identified and associated with the crime scene; competent and
credible witnesses must be available; and the physical evidence must be appropriately identified.
The proof of guilt will depend on the establishment of the essential elements of the crime. The
investigator must know by heart the elements of specific crime.

Differentiate Interrogation from Interview

a) Interview – may be used to mean the simple questioning of a person who is cooperating
with the investigator;
b) Interrogation – is the vigorous questioning of one who is reluctant to divulge
information.

3. Instrumentation
- the application of instruments and methods of physical science to the detection of crime.
It is the application of physics, chemistry, biology in crime detection. It is the sum total of the application
of all sciences in crime detection otherwise known as criminalistics although instrumentation means more
than criminalistics because it includes also the technical methods by which the fugitives may be traced
and examined.
QUALIFICATION OF AN INVESTIGATOR:
1. Rapport – good relationship between interviewer and the subject.
2. Forceful Personality- the interviewer may induce trust and confidence by the strength of his
character.
3. Breadth of interest- it is necessary for the interviewer and the subject to develop a meeting
ground or interest.
4. Qualities of a salesman- an actor, and a psychologist must possess insight, intelligence and
persuasiveness.

STAGES OF AN INTERVIEW BY AN INVESTIGATOR:

a. Preparation- mentally review the case and consider what information the subject can contribute.
b. Approach – on the first meeting with the subject investigator must identify himself.
 c. Warming up- preliminary subject matter of conversation should be focused to warm-up the
atmosphere to promote cordiality and trust.
d. Questioning- investigator should start questioning on points he wants to illicit.
e. Guiding the conversation- investigation has to control the proceedings to have a complete
information.
f. Corroboration- information from the witness must be correlated with those obtained from others.
g. Inaccuracies- questionable points should treated repeatedly by additional questions.
h. Techniques of questioning- questions should only be asked when the person appears prepared to
give the desired information in accurate fashion.
DIFFERENT TYPE OF SUBJECTS:
1. Know Nothing type- these are persons who are reluctant to become witness and particularly
true among uneducated people.
2. Disinterested type- uncooperative, indifferent persons. They should be flattered to develop
pride in their ability to supply information.
3. Drunken type- flattery will encourage the drunk to answer questions said develop interest.
4. Suspicious type- fear must be removed and the investigator should apply psychological
pressure.
5. Talkative type- investigator must find ways and means to shift his talkativeness to those
matters useful in the investigation.
6. Honest type- Honesty and cooperative persons will be an ideal witnesses with little care and
guidance.
7. Deceitful type- these persons should be permitted to until he is enmeshed with falsehood and
inaccuracies.
8. Timid type- investigator employs friendly approach and explains on formation given will be
treated as confidential.
9. Boasting, Egoistic, or Egocentric type- patience and flattery are necessary for they will be
good witnesses because of their drive for self- expression.
10. Refusal to talk type- most difficult, but investigator must persevere neutral topics must first
be taken.

THE TECHNIQUES OF INTERRROGATION:

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.
b. SYMPHATETIC 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.
c. FRIENDLINESS- A friendly approach coupled with a posture of sincerity induce the suspect to
confess.
d. TRICKS AND BLUFFS-
1) The pretense of Solid Evidence against the accused
2) The Weakest Link
3) Drama
4) Feigning Contact with Family members
5) Many more tricks and bluffs depending upon the imagination of the investigator in
each particular situation.
6) The Line-up
7) Reverse Line –up
e. STERN APPROACH- the investigator displays a stern personality towards the suspect by using
the following method:
1) PRETENSE OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
2) JOLTING
3) INDIFFERENCE
 4) FEIGNING PROTECTION AND CONSIDERATION
5) OPPURTUNITY TO LIE
f. THE MUTT AND JEFF or SWEET AND SOUR METHOD- the first set of investigators must
appear to be rough, mean and dangerous. The second investigator intervenes by stopping the first
set of investigators by being sympathetic and understanding.
g. REMOVING THE ETHNIC OR CULTURAL BARRIER- If the suspect is an Ilocano, he should
be interrogated by an Ilocano investigator and the same with other ethnic or cultural groups.
h. SEARCHING FOR THE SOFT SPOT- In every man`s heart, there is always that softest spot.

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.
b. PROJECTION
- It is the process of putting the blame of other persons, not alone to the suspect.
c. MINIMIZATION
- It is the act of minimizing the culpability of the suspect.

PHYISCAL SIGNS OF DECEPTIONS

a. SWEATING
- Profuse sweating indicates tension, anxiety, shock or fear. Extreme nervousness is also the
cause of sweating.

b. COLOR CHANGE
- Anger is indicated if the face is blushed. It is also the result of extreme nervousness or
embarrassment.

c. DRY MOUTH
- This is a sign of great tension and is a reliable symptom of deception.
d. BREATHING
- An effort to control breathing during the critical questioning is an indication of deception.
Gasping of breath is the ultimate result of the control in breathing.

e. PULSE
- When observed at the sides of the neck, the investigator will discover the increase in pulse beat
which is indicative of deception.

f. AVOIDANCE OF DIRECT EYE CONTACT

- This may indicate guilt or deception. Misty or tears eyes indicate remorse or repentance.

SURVEILLANCE AND UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS:

1. SURVEILLANCE Defined
- It is the observation of persons, places, and vehicles
for the purpose of obtaining information concerning the identities of criminals and their activities.

2. SURVEILLANT defined- The surveillant is the person who conducts the surveillance or performs
the observations.

3. SUBJECT- The person, place or vehicle being observed by the surveillant.

THE KINDS OF SURVEILLANCE

 a. Surveillance of places
b. Tailing or Shadowing
c. Undercover investigation or “ Roping”

TYPES OF SURVEILLANCE:
1. COVERT Surveillance- when the subject is not aware that he is being
observed.
2. OVERT Surveillance – When the subject is aware that he is being tailed.

THE PURPOSE OF SURVEILLANCE:

a. To get information on criminal activities as a basis for future raid.
b. To discover the identities of persons frequenting the place to establish their criminal activities.
c. To obtain evidence of a crime or to prevent commission thereof by arrest or raid.
d. To establish legal grounds for the application of a Search Warrant.
e. To arrest the criminal in flagrante delicto.

OTHER TYPES OF SURVEILLANCE:

1. Fixed Surveillance- watching a house or building
2. Moving surveillance- on foot or by motor vehicle.

SHADOWING or TAILING- It is the act of shadowing, tailing or following a person or persons.

PURPOSE OF FOOT SURVEILLANCE:
1. To detect pieces of evidence of criminal activities.
2. To establish the associates of the subject.
3. To establish places frequented by the subject and his place of operation or temporary residence.
4. To locate a wanted person, or a missing person
5. To protect witnesses or complaints.
6. As part of background investigation of a certain person a lawful cause in promotion, appointment
or award.
7. As a form of loyalty check for suspected employees in cahoots with criminals or shady
characters.

THE METHODS OF FOOT SURVEILLANCE:

a. ONE MAN SHADOW – It is conducted by one man alone in shadowing a subject.

b. TWO MAN SHADOW- this is easier for the surveillants to fully cover the subject. The method
allows the exchange of the positions of the shadowers in order to avoid discovery.

c. THREE MAN SHADOWER or ABC TECHNIQUE OF SHADOWING- this method pre

arranged signals are encouraged.

TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES OF SHADOWING

a. TURNING CORNERS
b. ENTERING A BUILDING
c. RIDING A BUS
d. RIDING A TAXI
e. RIDING A TRAIN
f. INSIDE A RESTAURANT
g. IN A HOTEL
h. TELEPHONE BOOTH
i. IN A THEATER
 j. INSIDE A PRIVATE HOUSE
k. INSIDE A SMALL PRIVATE OR PUBLIC OFFICE

COMMON TRICKS OF SUBJECT:

a. TEST FORT AILING
- when the subject is conscious that he is being tailed while about to board a public conveyance,
is to jump off the vehicle.

b. USE OF CONVOY
- The subject employs other partners to detect if he is being tailed.

UNDERCOVER OPERATION
-Defined it is a police operation wherein the investigator assumes a fictitious in order to infiltrate
the ranks of the criminals for the purpose of obtaining information. This is only resorted to as a final
option if no other effective means of obtaining information is available. It is a last resort because of the
risk involved which may cause the loss of life or limb of the investigator. This is called “ Roping”.

PURPOSE OF UNDERCOVER OPERATION:

a. Gathering evidence
b. Gathering Information
c. Counter Intelligence
d. Installation of Surveillance equipment
e. Loyalty check
f. Penetrating Subversive organization
g. Basis for a successful raid

MEANS OF CONTACT WITH HEADQUARTERS

a. TELEPHONE
– Utmost secrecy must be the guidelines in calling headquarters.

b. CODED MESSAGES
- the coded messages should be written in inconspicuous writing materials. This messages should
be placed secretly in the drop boxes such as trashcans for the collection of the supporting agent.

c. SECRET MEETINGS
- They are pre-arranged to pass important and vital messages which should be immediately acted
upon.

METHOD OF TRACING AND LOCATING CRIMINAL

a. By INFROMERS
b. By INFORMANTS
c. GRAPEVINE SOURCES
d. TAILING

THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS

Begin with the acquisition of the initial information which the investigation is based or
predicated. I t ends when the last piece of physical, testimonial or directly observed data has been
collected.
 The steps follow that of the systematic approach to investigation:
1. Define the Investigation – why this investigation being conducted?
a. Reason for the investigation- why this investigation being conducted?
b. What particular phase or elements of this investigation have assigned to the
investigator?
c. Whether the investigation is to be handled directly or discreetly.
d. Clarify the priority and the suppose date assigned to the investigation.
e. Look for the origin of information.
2. Collection of relevant date- prepare and investigation planning represent guide for work covering
three(3) aspects of investigation:
a. Information needed
b. Method to be used in gathering information

IN SUMMING UP, THE FOLLOWING TASKS WILL BE A GOOD GUIDE FOR THE
INVESTIGATOR`S FOR SUCCESSFUL CRIMINAL INVERSTIGATION:
1. Recording; ( recording of pertinent facts & details upon arrival at the crime scene)
2. Searching for Physical evidence;
3. Collection of evidence; ( includes photographing and sketching)
4. Removing or removal of evidence;
5. Tagging of evidence;
6. Evaluation of evidence
7. Releasing of evidence

IMPORTANT TERMS:
1.CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR- is a person who is charged with the duty of carrying on the objectives
of criminal investigation, e.g. to identify and locate the guilty and provide evidence of his guilt.
2. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION- is an art which deals with the identity and location of the offender
and provides evidence of his guilt through criminal proceedings.
3. SUSPECT OR SUSPECTS- an individual who is/ are pointed to be by the victim and witnesses to
have had committed the crime. Subject person is not considered a criminal unless otherwise the honorable
court will pronounce in court his/her conviction.
4.CRIME SCENE- a venue or place where the alleged crime/ incident/ event has been committed.
5.CRIME SCENE SKETCH- a drawn overlay of the crime scene indicating the position or exact
location where the body of the victim lie is/ found including the physical evidence.
6.INTERVIEW – a simple inquiry/ conversation type elicitation of information(s) from a willing victim/
witness relevant to a certain crime/ incident/ event under investigation.
7.INFORMATION- data gathered by an investigator from other persons including but not limited to
both the suspect and the victims
8.INTERROGATION- skilful questioning of hostile witness & suspects.
9.INSTRUMENTATION- scientific examination of real evidence; application of instrument and other
scientific aids or methods of the physical sciences in detecting crime.
10.REACTIVE RESPONSE- addresses crimes that have already occurred.
11.PROACTIVE RESPONSE- to anticipate criminal activity; investigation is conducted before the
crime is committed; the suspect is identified before committing a crime.
12. PREVENTIVE RESPONSE- prevention through deterrence is sometimes achieved by arresting the
criminal and by aggressive prosecution.
13.CONFESSION- is a direct acknowledgement of the truth of the guilty fact as charged or of some
essential part of the commission of the criminal act itself.
14.CIRCUMSTANCIAL EVIDENCE-is identification established indirectly by proving other facts or
circumstances from which, either alone or in connection with other facts, the identity of the perpetrator
that can be inferred.

15.ASSOCIATIVE EVIDENCE-are the physical evidence which may identify the criminal by means of
clues, personal properties, or the characteristics patterns of procedure deduced from the arrangement of
objects at the scene.
16.ADMISSION-is a self-incriminatory statement by the subject falling short of an acknowledgement of
guilt.

17.SURVEILLANCE - It is the observation of persons, places, and vehicles for the purpose of obtaining
information concerning the identities of criminals and their activities.
18.SURVEILLANT d- The surveillant is the person who conducts the surveillance or performs the
observations.
19.SUBJECT- The person, place or vehicle being observed by the surveillant.
20.COVERT Surveillance- when the subject is not aware that he is being
observed.
21. OVERT Surveillance – When the subject is aware that he is being tailed.
22.SHADOWING or TAILING- It is the act of shadowing, tailing or following a person or persons.
23.UNDERCOVER OPERATION
- it is a police operation wherein the investigator assumes a fictitious in order to infiltrate the
ranks of the criminals for the purpose of obtaining information

24. INFORMANTS- is a person who provides privileged information about a person or organization to
an agency. The term is usually used within the law enforcement world, where they are officially known as
confidential or criminal informants (CI), and can often refer pejoratively to the supply of information
without the consent of the other parties with the intent of malicious, personal or financial gain.
25.
INFORMER- is a person who gives an information with reward , money or a gift.
26.MOTIVE - is that which induces the criminal to act.
27.INTENT - is the accomplishment of the act.