INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION

Introduction to special crime

CHAPTER I investigation

OBJECTIVES

After reading this chapter you should be able to:

discuss the basic concepts associated to special crime investigation;
identify the phases, objectives and tools in criminal investigation;
differentiate the phases of criminal investigation;
discuss the desired characteristics of good and competent investigator ;
identify the standard methods in recording investigations & responsibilities of
special crime investigator.

Segment 1: Understanding Special Crime Investigation

Criminal Investigation
 An applied science that involves the study of facts, used to identify, locate and
prove the guilt of a criminal. A complete criminal investigation can include
searching, interviews, interrogations, evidence collection and preservation and
various methods of investigation. Modern-day criminal investigations commonly
employ many modern scientific techniques known collectively as forensic science
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_investigation).

Special Crime Investigation

 Special crime investigation refers to a special study of modern techniques in the
investigation of serious and specific crimes including murder, homicide, rape,
abortion, robbery, arson kidnapping, blackmail, carnapping and criminal
negligence. The emphasis is on physical evidence rather than an extra judicial
confession. Special crime investigation focuses on specific crimes which by their
nature are difficult and complex to investigate.
(http://criminologyboardexamreviewer.weebly.com/special-crime-
investigation.html)

Some cases subject to special crime investigation

1. Homicide 8. Bombing
2. Murder 9. Arson
3. Abortion 10. Criminal Negligence, Hit and
4. Rape Run cases
5. Robbery 11. Drug Cases
6. Carnapping 12. Swindling
7. Kidnapping

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Elements of Managing Special Crime Investigation

1. Initial Investigation
2. Case Screening
 It is a process to determine whether a case will be close, as unsolvable or
to recommend further investigation.
3. Continuing Investigation
4. Police Prosecutor Relations
5. Investigative Monitoring System

Responsibilities of Special Crime Investigators

1. Determine if the crime has been committed

2. Verify jurisdiction
3. Discover all facts and collect physical evidence
4. Recover stolen property
5. Identify perpetrator
6. Locate and apprehend perpetrator
7. Aid in the prosecution of the perpetrator
8. Testify effectively in court (Soriano, O.G. 2008)

Stages special crime investigation

a. Preliminary Investigation

 Preliminary investigation is also known as Initial

Investigation, which is focused in identifying the
perpetrator/s.
 It is the initial inquiry into a reported crime and is generally
conducted by a uniformed patrol officer. The patrol officer
must prepare the first written report of the crime, which is
generally called as complaint or incident report

 The setting is usually at the crime scene is the most critical

phase in majority of criminal investigations.
 A brief review of typical steps of a preliminary investigation is
warranted:
o Attend to any existing emergencies, such as injured
person or fleeing suspect.
o Secure the scene.
o Measure, photograph, videotape and sketch the
scene.
o Search for evidence.
o Identify, collect, examine and process physical
evidence.

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o Question victims, witnesses and suspects.

o Record all statements and observations in notes or
onto tape is vital (Hess & Wrobleski, 2006).

b. Follow-up Investigation or In-Depth Investigation

 Follow-up investigation is assigned to trained police
detectives and usually involves processing physical
evidences, interviewing witnesses, interrogating suspects,
conducting record searches, surveillance operations, and
following other investigatory practices.
 Follow-up investigation is also known as Following
Investigation or In-Depth investigation. It is focused
eventually in tracing, locating and eventually arresting the
suspect.

c. Concluding Investigation

 Concluding investigation is also called as Final Investigation.

 Focused in evaluating and presenting evidence to prove the
guilt of the accused.

 Other Reactive investigative strategies

o Earlier it was noted that time is critical in solving crimes. In most solved
homicides, for example, a suspect is taken into custody within thirty six
hours. If a case is not solved within this frame, the chances of it ever
being solved fall drastically (Kepell and Weis, as cited in Brandl, 2008).
As such, caseload and corresponding time pressures often lead to old
cases set aside so that new cases with fresh with fresh leads can be
investigated. Given the seriousness of some cases, however, it may not
be desirable to suspend or terminate investigative activities on such
cases that’s why police administrators created an alternative means to
investigate such cases which involves the creation of the following.
 Cold case Squads – These are usually assigned to murder and
other high-profile crimes. They allow for “new eyes to be put in
old cases.” Regini (1997) describes the operation of the cold
case homicide squad of Washington, DC, Police Department.
The squad does not respond to fresh homicides scenes; rather,
all cases that it investigates are at least one year old and could
no longer be worked on by the original investigators because
of workload, time constraints, or lack of leads. Cases assigned
to cold-case squads teams of at least one agent and one
detective. In addition, DNA technology has the potential to

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have a significant impact on cold-case investigations, especially

into crimes that occurred decades ago (Lord as cited in Brandl,
2008 p. 63).

 Task Forces – In response to high-profile crimes, particularly

those that involve several jurisdictions, investigative agencies
may form a task force. Task forces are usually temporary in
nature and bring together representative of agencies to deal
with a particular crime problem. A task force is highly visible
response. Task forces are particularly common in investigating
drug trafficking and serial crimes (e.g. serial homicide). By
bringing together representatives from various agencies, task
force can enhance cooperation, communication, evidence
sharing, and person-power in attempt to solve, or otherwise
address, the crimes in question (Hayesilip, et al as cited in
Brandl, 2008, p. 64).

Segment 2: Definitions of terms related to the criminal investigation

Admission
 Admission refers to the statement made by the suspect during the
investigation or a proceeding that does not directly involve the direct
acknowledgement of criminal guilt (Sec 26, Rule 130, REVISED RULES ON
EVIDENCE).

Arrest
 Arrest is the legal taking of a person into custody in order that he may bound
to answer for the commission of an offense. (Sec 1, Rule113, Revised Rules of
Criminal Procedure)

Chain of custody or Chain of Possession

 Chain of custody or Chain of Possession refers to record of individuals who
maintained control over the evidence from the time it was obtained by the
police until it is presented in court (Hess & Wrobleski, 2006). The chain of
custody must be maintained unbroken from the time of the collection of the
evidence until it is presented in court. This chain (custodians) must be kept to
a minimum, ideally one person. However this is not normally practical in
large crime scenes. One must remember a chain is only as strong as the
weakest link. If one person involve in the custodial chain allows the evidence
to become contaminated, altered, misplaced or lost for any period of time,
the evidence once this factor is known, will probably not admitted in court
(Peña, 2007,p. 76).

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Cold case
 A cold case is a crime or an accident that has not yet been fully solved and is not
the subject of a recent criminal investigation, but for which new information
could emerge from new witness testimony, re-examined archives, retained
material evidence, as well as fresh activities of the suspect. New technical
methods developed after the case can be used on the surviving evidence to re-
analyze the causes, often with conclusive results.

 A cold case as any case whose probative investigative leads have been
exhausted. In essence, this means a case that is only a few months old may be
defined as being "cold (National Institute of Justice, as cited in
http://www.nij.gov/journals/260/pages/what-is-cold-case.aspx).

Complaint
 Complaint is a sworn written statement charging a person with an offense,
subscribed by the offended party, any peace officer, or other public officer
charged with the enforcement of the law violated.

Crime:
 Crime is an act committed or omitted in violation of public laws forbidding or
commanding it.
Felony: Act or omission in violation of the Revised Penal Code.
Offense: Act or omission punishable by existing special penal laws.
Misdemeanor: Act or omission in violation of the city or municipal
ordinance. A light felony or light offense that is punishable by small fine
or a short period of imprisonment in jail.
Mala prohibita: (the singular is malum prohibitum) is a term applied to
any action is criminalized strictly by statute and statutory law. The phrase
is Latin, and translates as wrong because it is prohibited.
Mala in se: the Latin term for "wrong in itself," which literally means,
that the act is inherently evil or bad or per se wrongful.

Criminal
 In its criminological sense
 Criminal refers to any rational individual who commits an
antisocial act that is detrimental to the society.
 In its Strict Legal Sense
 Criminal refers to a person who committed an act punishable by
existing criminal law and was tried and convicted of final
judgment by a competent court.
 In its Legal Definition
 Criminal refers to any person finally convicted by a competent
court in violation of criminal law.

Criminal information
 Criminal information is an accusation in writing charging a person with an
offense, subscribed by the prosecutor and filed with the court.

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First Responder
 Typically, first responder is the patrol officer who responds to the initial
complaint. His or her duty is to secure the scene and not to touch anything.
The officer begins the initial stages of documentation, securing and
preservation of physical evidence (Dutelle, A. W., 2014).

Crime Scene Investigator/Crime Scene Technician

 Crime Scene Investigator/Crime Scene Technician refers to an individual who
could be civilian or sworn police officer and has an advanced training in the
documentation, collection and preservation of physical evidence. Additional
skills might include technical or college training and education in
photography, mapping, crime scene processing, search and seizure laws, and
criminal justice practices. While this person is responsible for processing the
crime scene, he or she is rarely involved with the subsequent analysis of
collected evidence, and is not involved with interviewing and interrogating
suspects or witnesses.
 The primary area of concern is the crime scene and associated physical
evidence. These may include conducting examination for fingerprints or
performing presumptive test for the presence of blood at the crime scenes.
After documenting, collecting, and properly preserving the evidence, he or
she transports the evidence to the evidence booking location, where it is
book in (recorded) and held until such time that it is needed for analysis or
checked out to be transported in court (Dutelle, A. W., 2014,p. 7).

Criminalists/Forensic Scientist
 Criminalist or Forensic Scientist is responsible for analysis of submitted items
of evidence. A criminalist uses the latest in scientific instrumentation and
knowledge to assist with interpreting the value of the evidence submitted.
Usually, he or she will have a four-year degree in chemistry, biology, or other
applied science. It is not duty of criminalist to determine guilt or innocence or
to otherwise investigate the crime. His or her only obligation is the proper
interpretation of submitted evidence, and providing a report on such matters
to the detective for final determination on the investigative value of the
evidence (Dutelle, A. W., 2014,p. 8).

Criminal Law
 Criminal law is a branch of municipal or substantive law that defines crimes,
establishes punishments, and regulates the investigation and prosecution of
people accused of committing crimes.

Crime Detection
 Crime detection is a part of police operation focused on discovering, identifying
and analyzing evidence that crime has been committed, is being committed, or
about to be committed.

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Criminalistics
 Criminalistics is the application of natural sciences and their technology to
examine physical evidence that can be used to establish that a crime has been
committed and who is/are responsible.
 It involves the study of criminal things, or those physical objects that may explain
or give proof to the commission of crime.
 It can also be defined, as a profession and scientific discipline directed towards
the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical
evidence by application of the natural sciences on matters of law and science.

Criminal Jurisprudence
 Criminal jurisprudence refers to the science of laws or the application of laws,
particularly criminal law, to detect and investigate crimes for the purpose of
promoting justice.

Circumstantial Evidence
 Circumstantial evidence are facts or events that tends to incriminate a person in
a crime, e.g., being seen running from a crime scene.

Complainant
 Complainant refers to a person requesting an investigation or that action is
taken. Complainant is often the victim of a crime.

Confession
 Confession is the declaration of an accused acknowledging his guilt of the offense
charged, or of any offense necessarily included therein, may be given in evidence
against him (Rule 130, sec 33, Revised Rules on Evidence).

Coroner
 Coroner refers to a public officer whose principal duty is to find and inquire
the cause of death (Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary,
2010).

Corpus delicti
 Corpus delicti is a Latin term which pertains to the body of the crime. The
foundation or material substance of a crime. The phrase corpus delicti might be
used to mean the physical object upon which the crime was committed, such as a
dead body or the charred remains of a house, or it might signify the act itself,
that is, the murder or Arson.The corpus delicti is also used to describe the
evidence that proves that a crime has been committed (West's Encyclopedia of
American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008)
 Corpus delicti is refers to the body of the offense; the essence of the crime. It is a
general rule not to convict unless the corpus delicti can be established, that is,
until the dead body has been found. Best on Pres. Sec. 201; 1 Stark. Ev. 575, See
6 C. & P. 176; 2 Hale, P. C. 290.

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Custodial investigation
 Custodial investigation involves any questioning initiated by law enforcement
officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his
freedom of action in any significant way. It is only after the investigation ceases
to be a general inquiry into an unsolved crime and begins to focus on a particular
suspect, the suspect is taken into custody, and the police carry out a process of
interrogations that lends itself to eliciting incriminating statements that the rule
begins to operate (People vs. Marra, 236 SCRA 565).
 As provided for in Sec. 2, R.A. 7438, it includes the practice of issuing an
"invitation" to a person who is investigated in connection with an offense he is
suspected to have committed. This shall be without prejudice to the liability of
the "inviting" officer for any violation of law.

Deposition
 Deposition is a written record of evidence given orally and transcribed in writing
in the form of questions by the investigator and answer of the deponent and
signed by the latter (Catalino, M.G. et al, 2011).

Doctrine
 Doctrine refers to a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions,
taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge
or belief system ((Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary,
2010).

Evidence
 Evidence is something that gives a sign or proof of the existence or truth, or that
helps somebody to come to a particular conclusion.
 Evidence is the means sanctioned by law of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding
the truth respecting a matter of fact. (Sec.1, Rule 128, Revised Rule of Criminal
procedure).

Facial Composite
 Facial composite is a graphical representation of an eyewitness memory of a
face, as recorded by a composite artist. Facial composites are used mainly by
police in their investigation of (usually serious) crimes (Frowd, C. D.; et al, 2010).

Fence
 Fence refers to a person who receives and disposes of stolen property on a
regular basis.
Fact
 Fact is something that can be shown to be true; to exist, or to have happened.
 It is an action, an event, a circumstance or an actual thing done.
 It can be explained further by distinguishing it from inference and opinion.
 Inference
 Inference is a process of reasoning by which a fact maybe
deduced. It is a conclusion drawn from evidence or reasoning.

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 Opinion
 It is a personal belief.
Factum Probans - The evidentiary fact or the fact by which the factum
probandum is to be established.
 Materials which establish the proposition.
Factum Probandum – ultimate fact or the fact sought to be established

Field Identification
 Field identification is also known as on-the-scene identification of a suspect by
the victim of a crime or witness to a crime, conducted within minutes of the
commission of a crime.

Field Inquiry
 Field Inquiry is the unplanned questioning of a person who has aroused a police
officer’s suspicions. It is not arrest but it could lead to one . Field inquiries also
referred to as field contacts, and a card on which the information is recorded is
called field contact card.

Prejudice
 Prejudice is an opinion or leaning adverse to anything without just grounds or
before obtaining sufficient knowledge.

Modus Operandi (MO)

 Modus operandi (plural modi operandi) is a Latin phrase, approximately

translated as "method of operation". The term is used to describe someone's
habits of working, particularly in the context of business or criminal
investigations. In English, it is often shortened to M.O.
 The expression is often used in police work when discussing a crime and
addressing the methods employed by the perpetrators. It is also used in criminal
profiling, where it can help in finding clues to the offender's psychology. It
largely consists of examining the actions used by the individual(s) to execute the
crime, prevent its detection and/or facilitate escape. A suspect's modus operandi
can assist in his identification, apprehension, or repression, and can also be used
to determine links between crimes (McGraw-Hill, 2008).
 A method of procedure; especially: a distinct pattern or method of operation
that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime
(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modus%20operandi).

Ordinary witness
 Ordinary witness refers to any person who perceived the commission of the
crime and testified before the court.

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Proof beyond a reasonable doubt

 Proof of such a convincing character that you would be willing to rely and act
upon it without hesitation in the most important of your own affairs. However, it
does not mean an absolute certainty.

Probable Cause
 Evidence that warrants a person of reasonable caution in the belief that a crime
has been committed.

Rapport
 Rapport is a felling of ease and harmony in a contact or relationship between
people.

Reasonable Doubt
 The level of certainty which a juror must have to find a defendant guilty of a
crime. A real doubt, based upon reason and common sense after careful and
impartial consideration of all the evidence, or lack of evidence, in a case.

Search warrant
 Search warrant is an order in writing issued in the name of the people of the
Philippines, signed by a judge and directed to a peace officer, commanding him
to search for personal property described therein and to bring it before the
court. (Sec. 1, Rule 126 of the RPC)

Seizure
 Seizure refers to the confiscation of property by an officer with legal authority to
do so. In criminal investigation, it is the logical consequence of search.

Statement
 Statement refers to a legal narrative description of events related to a crime.

Suspect
 Suspect refers to a person considered to be directly or indirectly connected with
a crime, either by overt act or by planning and/or directing it.

Warrant of arrest
 Warrant of arrest is an order in writing issued in the name of the people of the
Philippines, signed by a judge and directed to a peace officer, commanding him
to take a person into custody in order that he may bound to answer for the
commission of an offense. (Sec. 1, Rule 126 of the RPC)

Witness
 Witness refers to a person who saw a crime or some part of it being committed
or who has relevant information.

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Patterns

 A pattern is a series of similarities that may link particular cases or indicate that
the same person is committing a series of crimes. Pattern could include time and
day, day of the week, description of the suspect, MO, type of weapon being used,
type of victim, location and other variables (Dempsey, 2007, p.36).

Leads

 Leads are clues or pieces of information that aid in the progress of an

investigation.
 These can be physical evidence or information received from the witnesses or
other persons or through surveillances, undercover investigations and record
searches.
 Anything that can assist an investigator in resolving an investigation.

Tips

 Tips specifically refer to leads provided by the citizens that aid in the progress of
an investigation.
 Generally, tips involve the identity of the suspect.

Theories

 Theories pertains to beliefs regarding the based on the evidence, patterns, leads,
tips and other information developed and uncover in the case.
 These are important because they direct the investigation. Detectives have to be
very careful in building theories about a case, because if the theory is wrong, it
may lead them in the wrong direction (Dempsey, 2007, p.37).

Segment 3: Characteristics of Competent Criminal Investigator

 The following attributes must be possessed by a competent criminal investigator:

1. Perseverance
 It refers to the steadfastness, persistence and resolution to bring the
desired conclusion in spite of obstacles connected with criminal
investigation.

2. Endurance
 This is the ability of the investigator to last physically and mentally
hence; he must have the extraordinary physical and mental energy,
enduring sleepless nights and tiresome days.

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3. Incorruptible Honesty and Integrity

 This refers to the degree of honesty and integrity of the investigator on
several temptations over money that is offered to affect the
investigation, women and drinks where these are present in every
corner playing tricks of temptations.

4. Intelligence and Wisdom of Solomon

 This is very important in order that the investigator could easily decipher
falsehood from truth and separate the grain from the chaff.

5. Acting Activity
 It refers to the ability of the investigator in stooping down to the level of
a minor, the prostitute or the slum dwellers, professionals or other
members of the elite during the investigation process.

6. Oral and Written Communication

 Every investigator should have a basic knowledge on both oral and
written communication in probing a certain issue in order that he will
not suffer setback in getting the accurate facts especially in the
preparation of reports and or transmittal of information. This includes
the use of appropriate words in making a report and writing
observations and descriptions of places, things and events.

7. Observation and Description

 The investigator should be a keen observer and knows how to accurately
describe everything. This is important in crime scene investigation and in
conducting interview and interrogation.
8. Courage
 It is the moral fortitude of the investigator to tell the truth irrespective
of who gets hurt.

9. Knowledge on Laws
 The investigator should have basic knowledge on legal matters
concerning investigation.

10. The power to “read between the lines.”

 This refers to the ability of the investigator to interpret the words or
phrases encountered in the process of investigation into their deeper
meaning in order to arrive with a concrete meaning of a certain
statement.

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11. Technical Knowledge

 This refers to the investigators capability of defense tactics, use of
firearms and the like. In many occasions, he will be alone in confronting,
arresting, bringing to headquarters and interrogating the suspect
(Garcia, 2004).

Segment 4: Tools in criminal investigation

Tools of criminal investigators in the course of investigation

 Information Play a vital role in solving criminal cases and giving justice to whom it
 Interview is due. They are employed by public and/ or private prosecutors, or
 Interrogation directly used by the court, to search evidences that can be used to
 Instrumentation answer legal and non-legal questions that may arise during court trial.

CARDINAL POINTS IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (5 W’S AND 1 H)

 WHEN Dempsey described these questions as NEOTWY. NEOTWY is formed by

 WHERE using the last letter of each of the questions. Take note that these
 WHO questions are designed to uncover as many facts as possible regarding a
 WHAT crime or an incident. Hence, these are very useful in establishing the
 HOW patterns, leads, tips, and theories concerning the crime under
 WHY investigation.

When Where Who

 was the crime  did the crime occur?  Committed the crime?
committed?  was the evidence  Had a motive to
 Was the crime located? commit the crime?
reported?  are all witnesses now?  Was the victim?
 Was evidence  were all the witnesses?  Saw what happened?
discovered?  do the witnesses live?  Reported the crime?
 Did the first responder  is the suspect?  Might know something
arrived?  was entry made?  Were the first people
 Was the scene  was exit made? on the scene?
secured?
 Was the scene
released?

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What How Why

 crime was committed?  was the crime  was the crime

 was the relationship committed? committed?
between the victim and  did the perpetrator  was the victim
perpetrator? gain entry? chosen?
 was said and by whom?  did the perpetrator  was the location
 evidence might there be? depart? chosen?
 evidence has been  were the criminal
discovered? implements
 was missing chosen?
 was left?
 was moved?
 was touched?

 While performing his duties, the investigator should be able to ascertain 6 points
in his investigation. This can be done by using 6 recurring questions, otherwise
known as 6 cardinal questions:
 When was it committed? – Exact date and time.
 Where was the offense committed? – Location of the crime scene.
 Who committed it? – Identity of suspect/s.
 What specific crime was committed? – The name and designation of the
crime.
 How was the offense committed? – Modus operandi.
 Why was it committed? – Motive and intent.

Significance of the cardinal questions

1. Assist the investigator in making brief statements of facts in the logbook

(police blotter and report) and in their reports.
2. Aid the investigator in searching the crime scene or other sources of
information and evidences.
3. Guide the investigator in formulating questions in interviewing complainant
and witnesses, or in interrogating a suspect.
4. Facilitate the preparation of the MO (modus operandi) report.
5. Assist the investigator in furnishing concise investigation report.

Segment 5. Standard Methods of Recording Investigation

1. Photographs;
2. Sketching crime scene;
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3. Written notes (what you have seen and observed);

4. Developing and lifting fingerprints found at the crime scene;
5. Gathering physical evidence;
6. Plaster cast;
7. Tape recording of sounds;
8. Video tape recording of objects; and
9. Written statements of subjects (s) and witnesses.

Three most common methods in documenting the crime scene

A. Note taking
 Serves as personal record of the search for evidence
 It should be detailed that will remain fully meaningful even months after the
event.
 It should begin with the crime scene specialist’s name and assignment to the
case.
 It should be supplemented by sketches and photographs of the scene.
 It should be recorded in the order that the observations they pertain to are
made, and will not necessarily be in logical order.
 It should be complete
 Essential items of information to be included during note taking
a. Dates, Times, and Location
b. Detailed Description of the Victim and his/her Clothing.
c. Wounds the Victim Sustained
d. A general Description of the Crime Scene
e. The type of Camera and Film Used in Photographing the Crime Scene.
f. Discovery of Each Significant Item of Evidence.
g. The failure to Locate Items

NOTE: Notes are valuable not only as an aid to an accurate recall of events to be testified
to in court, but also to furnish the raw material needed in the written formal report of
the case. A different notebook should be used for each separate case and the notebooks
should be kept permanently in a safe place.

B. Sketching
 Refers to the process of recording of information with respect to its location,
position, measurement, orientation and details of findings in a sketch pad
through symbols, arts and figures.

Crime scene sketch

 The record of physical evidence locations, as well as measurements showing

pertinent size and distance relationships in the CS. The investigator’s sketch of
the CS can be more descriptive than hundreds of words, just like photographs.
The crime-scene sketch assist in interviewing and interrogating people, preparing

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the investigation report, and presenting the case in court. The CS sketch
establishes permanent record of items, conditions, and distance/size
relationships. Sketches supplement photographs
 It is the graphic representation of the scene of the crime with complete
measurements of the relative distances items or objects. Sketch includes scales,
with important dimensions at the scene being shown to a good degree of
accuracy.

The general kinds of sketch

1. Rough Sketch
 It is the sketch made by the investigator at the crime scene which is full
of important details but without the scale of proportion. This is used as
the basis for the finished sketch.

2. Finished sketch
 It is the sketch with a scale of proportion and drawn by a draftsman
which can be used for court presentation. Rough and finished sketches if
requested by the court shall be presented by the draftsman to clear
doubts of the jury.
Legally speaking, for a sketch or diagram to be admissible in court, it must have
been the following descriptions:

1. part of some qualified testimony;

2. relate the observed situations in a crime scene;
3. express or represents the crime scene correctly.

The following are reasons of making sketch:

1. To refresh the memory of the investigators.

2. To express the precise location of objects and their relationship to other
objects and its surroundings.
3. To assist the prosecutor and the judge in understanding conditions at the
crime scene.
4. To supplement photographs.
5. To assist in questioning of witnesses and suspects.

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