CDI 5 Technical English 1 Lesson 2

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

Criminal Investigation: the collection and analysis of

the facts about persons, things, places, subject of a
crime to identify the guilty party, locate the
whereabouts of the guilty party, and provide admissible
evidences to establish the guilt of parties involved in a
crime.

In investigation work, the investigator’s

effectiveness rest on his adequate knowledge, skills and
the experiences about investigative techniques, methods,
procedures, rules and policies to include the 5 W’s and 1
H. He must be able to find truth about a crime as he
persistently endeavors to seek answers the following:
 What offense has been committed?
 Where was the offense committed?
 Who committed the offense?
 When was the offense committed?
 Why was offense committed?
 How was the offense committed?

It is therefore a must that investigations are to be

educated, trained in such a way that they make their
specialty and they must be taken cared of to be assigned
in their job permanently because of the nature of their
investigative work, knowledge and skills.

The effectiveness of investigation is cut whenever a

new assignment affects investigators and many cases
remain unsolved if not neglected.

Constant training, practices and retraining the

better, so the expert say; mediocrity can never be
tolerated in investigation work.

GOALS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

1. To determine if crime has been committed
2. To legally obtain information and evidences to
identify persons responsible
3. To arrest suspects
4. To recover stolen property; and
5. To complete presentation of case to appropriate
authority

TOOLS OF AN INVESTIGATOR IN GATHERING FACTS (3 I’S)

1. INFORMATION: data gathered from other persons, the
victims and from other records such as public
records, private records. Modus Operandi file.
2. INTERROGATION: skillful questioning of witness and
suspects
CDI 5 Technical English 1 Lesson 2

3. INSTRUMENTATION: scientific examination of real

evidence, application of instruments and methods of
the physical science in detecting crime such as
microscope, dactyloscopy, ballistics, photography,
polygraphy and others.

METHODS OF EDENTIFYING THE OFFENDERS

The criminal investigator makes use of the following:
1. Confession
2. Eyewitnesses
3. Circumstantial evidence
4. Associate evidence

STANDARD METHODS OF RECORDING INVESTIGATIVE DATA

1. Photographs
2. Sketches of crime scene
3. Notes about the crime fingerprints found at the
scene
4. Physical evidence gathered
5. Plaster cast
6. Tapes of sounds or voices
7. Video tape record of objects or sounds
8. Written statement of subjects and witnesses; and
9. Computerized and programmed

QUALIFICATIONS OF AN INVESTIGATOR
The investigator must possess a well rounded
educational background, a lot experiences in the job and
the right attitude this includes other qualifications:
a. Capable of observation
b. Rational thinker
c. Knowledgeable about the laws on crimes, evidences,
arrest, investigative concepts, techniques,
scientific aids, laboratory services, and about
criminals and their ‘modus operandi’:
d. Power of intellect on the sp called 6th sense
e. Cooperative and can work with others
f. Observant and professional ethics
g. Has leadership potential, and
h. Reliable, honest, and physically and mentally fit

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF AN INVESTIGATOR

The numerous functions among others performed by
investigators include:
1. Providing emergency assistance
2. Securing the crime scene
3. Photographing, videotaping, and sketching
4. Taking notes and writing reports
5. Searching for obtaining and processing physical
evidences
6. Obtaining information from witnesses and suspects
CDI 5 Technical English 1 Lesson 2

7. Conducting raids, surveillance, stakeout and

undercover assignment
8. Testifying in court
9. Investigation monitoring and research

POLICE REPORT WRITING FORM

Every agency has its own forms and procedures for
completing operational reports. But there is a standard
format on how to prepare a report that is simple yet
complete.

CONTENTS OF THE BASIC OF INFORMAL REPORT

a. The heading or the letter head of he organization
b. The date of preparation or submission
c. The person or office to whom it is addressed or
submitted
d. The name of the writer or source of the report

There are some exceptions to the rule such as but not

limited to: reports of investigation on administrative
complaints and minor cases involving violation of
city/municipal ordinances, basic or informal reports are
generally internal in nature. It seldom goes out of the
department.

LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS CLASSIFIED

1. Administrative Reports: deal with the routine
functioning of the department or agency
2. Operational Reports: deal with the activities of the
law enforcement officers.

CONCEPT OF POLICE REPORT

1. The common thinking about police report is any
written matter prepared by the police involving
their interaction with the community.
2. A police report is an exact narration of facts
discovered during the course of crime investigation
which serves as a permanent written record for
future reference.
3. It is a permanent written record of police
activities classified as informal and formal which
communicates important facts concerning people
involved in criminal activities.

FOUR TYPES OF OPERATIONAL REPORTS

1. Patrol Service Reports
2. Arrest Reports
3. Preliminary Investigation Reports
4. Supplemental Progress Reports/Follow up Reports
CDI 5 Technical English 1 Lesson 2

Any person who understands police report writing cannot

proceed in writing a police report until after he had
undergone criminal investigation training/seminars and he
should be a member of the Philippine National Police.

PURPOSES OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION REPORT

 Criminal investigation reports provide facts to
competent authorities and serve as a record of
investigative activity. Criminal Investigation
Units are essentially responsible for collecting
facts and preparing written reports. Factual
informations are collected and reported on time to
show immediate appropriate action.

BASIC PURPOSES OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION REPORTS

a. To preserve knowledge/information about a case
b. To provide accurate details about the case
c. To aid other investigation and other agencies
concerned
d. To coordinate investigation activities within the
organization
e. To serve as reference by competent authorities

STYLE
All reports are written in such a manner that it
clearly presents only the relevant facts. The
presentation of these facts must not be distorted or
confused by the writer’s manner of expression. Clarity,
accuracy and brevity are emphasized based on facts.

CRITERIA
Reports being permanent records of investigative
efforts are subject to close scrutiny at all levels of
the police organization including other concerned
agencies of the government. Reports must meet certain
standards or criteria, some of which are as follows:
a. Reports must not contain vague or unclear terms.
b. Reports must be original and correct in both
composition and grammar.
c. Abbreviation must be used appropriately and
correctly.
d. The use of slang, colloquialisms or unnecessary
technical terms should be avoided
e. Reports must not contain any erasures, or
alterations.
f. If any correction is to be made, then it must be
corrected by changing the entire page to contain
what is correct.
g. All duplicate copies of reports must be legible,
clearly readable.
CDI 5 Technical English 1 Lesson 2

h. When necessary, duplicate copies of reports must be

officially authenticated.
i. Contents of reports must be factual and devoid of
bias or prejudice on the part of those making the
report.