CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION: IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE LEGAL SERVICE

As we all know, CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (CSI) is a comprehensive inquiry of

a crime by conducting systematic procedure of various investigative methodologies which
involves recovery of physical and testimonial evidence for the purpose of identifying the
witnesses and arrest the perpetrator(s) for the commission of the crime.

As Legal Officer, one of our tasks is to see to it that in order that the crime be considered
solved, a corresponding criminal case(s) should be subsequently filed after the processing of the
crime scene. Hence, to successfully pursue the case, a delicate and careful CSI shall be
conducted.

The significant and challenging process of Crime Scene Investigation in the eyes of a
legal Officer involves the over-all result/output of the processing of the crime scene. As I
observed, part and parcel of some failures of prosecution of criminal offenses involving heinous
crimes before is that the prosecutor handling the case does not fully understand the whole story
and scenario of the case. We do not underscore the Prosecutor’s role in the prosecution of
crimes with the courts, however, it is best that someone, with legal competencies to intervene
and who has personal knowledge to handle the case. There is no other person suited for that
and that is the PNP Legal Officers.

At the onset of the crime scene investigation, there must be a legal officer to form part of
the team. This will enable him to ensure observance of applicable laws, legal procedures, and
doctrines of the CSI. Along the way, such legal officer shall see to it that the processes are done
correctly and within the bounds of law. This will also ensure the preservation and integrity of the
pieces of evidence gathered to avoid miscarriage of justice. However, this is not happening in
our process today. No legal officer is part of the investigating team. After all, any irregularity in
the method and process in handling said evidence can be a ground for the acquittal of the
accused. Hence, our efforts in processing the crime scene will be futile.

When the process above is incorporated, the legal officer, after having been on top of the
situation since the start of the actual crime scene investigation up to the final stage, they are now
ready to handle the prosecution of the case before court of proper jurisdiction. To better perform
our function, there must be a PNP-DOJ partnership. A PNP MC could suffice allowing legal
officers of PNP to handle the prosecution of criminal cases under the direct supervision of the
Office of the Prosecutor.

To conclude, there is no question that llegal officers are playing vital roles not only in the
gathering of the pieces of evidence after the commission of the crime but also to prosecute the
case in order that justice may be serve.