I.

DISCUSS THE MISSION OF THE SOCO

MISSION: The SOCO shall provide forensic expertise to criminal investigation by

preserving, securing, and if need be, by scientifically reconstructing the crime scene for
the collection, documentation, and forensic examination of all collected physical evidence
with the end in view of establishing fact/s relative to a criminal.

It means the SOCO Team shall not join any operations conducted by the local police or
accompany the FRs or the IOC in going to the crime scene. They will only respond upon
request through the Operations Center and after the IOC has already made proper assessment
of the crime scene and then conduct the scene of the crime operations.

II. IDENTIFY AND DEFINE THE ROLE OF EVERY MEMBERS OF THE SCENE
OF THE CRIME OPERATION

TEAM LEADER
 Responsible for the safety and work performance of the individual members of the
SOCO Team at the crime and conduct initial walk-through for purposes of crime
scene assessment, making preliminary survey, evaluation of potential evidence, and
preparing a narrative description.
 Designate command post location and ensure exchange of information between
search and investigative personnel.
 Control access to the scene and designate personnel to record in the contamination
log everyone who enters the crime scene for a purpose.
 Continuously evaluate efficiency of search during the entire course of operation.

PHOTOGRAPHER
 Photograph entire area before it is entered.
 Photograph victims, crowd and vehicles.
 Photograph entire scene with general, medium, close-up coverage and extreme close
up view using scale when appropriate.
 Photograph major evidence items before they are moved. Coordinate this effort with
the sketcher, evidence custodian and evidence recovery personnel.
 Photograph all latent fingerprints, and other impression evidence before lifting and
casting is accomplished.
 Photograph blueprints, maps and previous photographs of scene as required.
 Take final photographs to show final condition as released.

SKETCH PREPARER
 Make a diagram of the immediate area of scene. It must be oriented to the north.
  Indicate on sketch the pieces of evidence and coordinate evidence nomenclature with
evidence custodian and evidence collector.
 Indicate adjacent structures, areas and other objects as necessary and identify and
label areas to be searched and inform team leader and all other search members of
nomenclature for identified areas.
 Obtain appropriate assistance for taking measurements and list assistants on sketch.

EVIDENCE LOG RECORDER/CUSTODIAN

 Prepare evidence log.
 Coordinate evidence nomenclature with the sketcher, photographer and evidence
collector/processor.
 Receive and record all collected evidence at the crime scene.
 Undertake evidence packaging and preservation.
 Maintain chain of custody of evidence.
 Coordinate transmittal of evidence to the concerned office for appropriate forensic
laboratory examination.

DRIVER/SECURITY
 Ensure that the vehicle is properly maintained.
 Provide physical security to the SOCO members and equipment.
 Account SOCO equipment before leaving the scene.