At the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:

 Describe scene of the crime operation;

 Identify the function of SOCO;
 Provide two case studies that focuses on the Effectiveness of Scene of the Crime
Operation Response.

3 hours per week

Lesson 3 introduces the concept scene of the crime operation, its mission,
vision and function. This lesson also introduces the SOCO's general procedure,
which students should familiarize and understand before conducting a simulated
crime scene investigation in the following lesson. Prepare for the activities and
learning tasks provided in this lesson to deepen your understanding and gain more
knowledge about the crime scene operation.
 Direction: Write 5 things or ideas that describe the functions of SOCO by not
browsing the internet or books.

SOCO
Direction. Consider the questions below, your answer must composed of three (3) to
five (5) sentences only.
RUBRICS:
Content- 4
Organization of ideas- 2
Justification of the answers- 4
10 points

1. What are thos thing that we need to consider in conducting an investigation?

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1. In your own Idea, how would you consider that the crime scene investigation is
succcesful?

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What is Scene of the Crime Operation?
Scene of Crime Operation is a forensic procedure performed by trained
personnel of the PNP Crime Laboratory through scientific methods of investigation for
the purpose of preserving the crime scene, gathering information, documentation,
collection, and examination of all physical evidence.
Who have the authority to conduct operation?
1. Philippine National Police- who Investigate and prevent crimes, effect the
arrest of criminal offenders, bring offenders to justice and assist in their
prosecution;
2. First responder- are the members of the PNP or other law enforcement
agencies who are mandated and expected to be the first to respond to calls for
assistance in cases of incidents crimes. They generally refer to police officers
who have jurisdiction of t area where the incident or crime has taken place and
will proceed to the crime scene to render assistance to the victim and to protect
and secure the incident scene.
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 incident.
SOCO Objectives:
1. To conduct forensic investigations through the methodical means of collection,
examination, preservation, and presentation of all evidence for the final
disposition of criminal cases.
2. To enable the police investigating/line units to expeditiously identify and arrest
the criminal perpetrators through the collected and examined physical evidence.
3. To establish the facts before the competent courts based on collected and
examined physical evidence.
4. To strictly adhere to the protocols governing forensic science.
5. To progressively acquire new technology and human skills to ensure that the
operational capabilities shall be consistent with the continuous and evolving
threats to public safety.
SOCO Functions:
1. It shall determine and delineate the crime scene.
 2. It shall preserve and ensure the protection of the crime scene.
3. It shall conduct methodical search for all available evidence in the crime scene.
4. It shall methodically document the crime scene.
5. It shall methodically collect and transport all available physical evidence from the
crime scene to the PNP Crime Laboratory for purposes of appropriate forensic
examinations.
6. As required, it shall present before any competent court and/or any legally
mandated agency its forensic findings and the expert testimonies of the SOCO
elements.
GENERAL SOCO PROCEDURES:
Preparation Prior to the Conduct of SOCO
1. Ensure the availability of packaging and collection materials necessary for typical
search circumstance.
2. Prepare the preliminary format for the paperwork needed to document the
conduct of the search.
3. Discuss upcoming search with the involved personnel.
4. Make preliminary personnel assignments before arrival at scene, if practicable.
5. Consider the safety and comfort of search personnel. Be prepared for probable
impediments which may be poised by weather or terrain. Ensure that basic crime
scene search equipment’s are functional. These should consist of the
communication, lighting, first aid, and security equipment’s.
6. Ensure that all SOCO Team elements tasked to enter the crime scene must be
wearing surgical gloves and other protective gears as maybe necessary.
7. Assess the personnel assignments normally required to successfully process a
crime scene and ensure that such assignments are in keeping with the training,
experience, attitude, and aptitude of each individual.
Crime Scene Approach.
1. Be alert for discarded evidence.
2. Make pertinent notes about the condition of the Crime Scene based on the
systematic observation & scene assessment.
3. Establish frame-of-mind to take control of scene regardless of circumstance
observed on arrival.
4. Consider personnel safety.
Preliminary Crime Scene Survey.
1. The survey is an organizational stage to a planned search.
2. A cautious walk-through of the scene must be accomplished by the Team
Leader.
3. The SOCO Team Leader provides and ensures the operational focus of the
Team.
4. Select appropriate narrative description techniques that should provide answers
to the 5 W’s & 1H.
5. Organize methods and procedures needed to recognize special problem areas.
6. Identify and protect transient physical evidence.
7. Make an extensive narrative notes on the physical and environmental conditions
of the crime scene based on the exact locations of items found thereat and
condition of the crime scene as received from the investigator on case.
Evaluation of Physical Evidence.
1. This evaluation begins upon arrival at scene and becomes detailed in preliminary
survey stage.
2. Based on preliminary survey, establish evidence types most likely to be
encountered.
3. Ensure that collection and packaging equipment is sufficient for task at hand.
4. Ensure that all personnel are aware of the great variety of possible evidence.
5. Focus first on the easily accessible areas in open view and progress eventually
to possible out-of-view locations.
6. Consider whether the evidence appears to have been moved inadvertently.
7. Evaluate whether or not the scene and evidence appears intentionally contrived.
Narrative description of the Crime Scene.
1. The narrative is a running, general terms description of the condition of the crime
scene.
2. Photography supplements narrative description of the crime scene.
3. Do not permit narrative effort to degenerate into a sporadic and unorganized
attempt to recover physical evidence.
Crime Scene Photography / Videography.
1. Begin photographing the crime scene as soon as possible.
2. Document the photographic effort with a photograph log.
3. Ensure that a progression of overall, medium and close- up views of the scene is
established.
4. Photograph evidence in place before its collection and packaging.
5. Photograph items, places etc., to corroborate the statement of witnesses, victims,
suspects.
6. Take photographs from eye level, when feasible, to represent scene as would be
observed by normal view.
7. Prior to lifting latent fingerprints, photographs should be taken.
Sketch of Crime Scene.
1. The diagram establishes permanent records of items, conditions and
distance/size relationships – diagram supplement photographs.
2. Number designations on sketch should be coordinated with same number
designations on evidence log.
3. The sketch should contain sufficient measurements and details to be used as a
model for drawn to scale diagram, or indicate a disclaimer if not drawn to scale.

Detailed Crime Scene Search.

1. Conduct search in a general manner and work to the specifics regarding
evidence items.
2. Photograph all items before collection and enter notation in photographic log.
3. Mark evidence locations on diagram/sketch
4. Do not handle evidence excessively after recovery.
5. Seal all evidence containers at the crime scene.
Physical Evidence Recording and Collection.
1. Tag and photograph evidence in place before collection.
2. Methodically record the recovered evidence. Mark evidence (mark item itself
whenever feasible)
3. Place identifying marks in evidence containers.
Final Crime Scene Survey.
1. Discuss search jointly with all personnel for completeness.
2. Double-check documentation to detect inadvertent errors.
3. Check to ensure all evidence is accounted for before departing the scene.
4. Ensure all equipment used in the search is gathered.
5. Make sure possible hiding places or difficult access areas have not been
overlooked in detailed search.
Turn-Over/Release of Crime Scene to Investigator-On-Case.
1. Ensure that appropriate inventory has been provided.
2. Release the scene with the notion that there is only one chance to perform the
job correctly and completely.
3. Release is accomplished only after completion of the final survey and proper
documentation.
SUPPLETORY PROVISIONS TO THE GENERAL PROCEDURES
1. In clandestine laboratories and bombing cases/incidents, the EOD should clear
the area first and declare it secured prior to the conduct of SOCO. Moreover,
these are considered as special situations whereby the Forensic Chemical
Officer (FOCO) shall be tasked to undertake the initial scene assessments and
 advice the SOCO Team Leader as to how the sequence of the crime scene
investigation shall be undertaken.
2. In suspected and/or reported chemical, biological, radiological, and/or nuclear
(CBRN) situation, the SOCO Team shall directly coordinate with the Special
Rescue/CBRN Team of the Bureau of Fire Protection prior to the conduct of
crime scene investigation. This shall be the standard operational procedure
pending the capability acquisition of the PNP Crime Laboratory for CBRN
situation.
3. In mass victim situation, the SOCO Team, in addition to its fundamental function,
shall act as the first responder of the Interim Disaster Victim Identification Task
Group (IDVI TG) of the PNP Crime Laboratory. It shall immediately assess the
forensic specialists needed to be deployed at the crime scene and relay the
assessed requirements to HQs PNP Crime Laboratory.
4. Situation/incidents may occur whereby the functional expertise of a forensic
specialist is critical and/or would provide better command of the SOCO. The
SOCO Team Leader must immediately take cognizance of these situations and
put to task the forensic specialist in assessing the situation and recommending
as to how the SOCO shall be sequentially conducted.
5. The PNP Crime Laboratory strictly adheres to the cardinal forensic protocol of
objectivity albeit such adherence does not preclude the basic human sensibilities
and respect for the dead.
The SOCO Team shall expedite the transfer of a cadaver in the crime scene to
an accredited morgue for further forensic examinations after its position has
been accurately sketched, photographed, properly documented, and all other
essential forensic procedures needed to be performed at the crime scene had
been completed. Further, the SOCO Team shall exercise ethical judgment by
ensuring that no photograph of the cadaver shall be taken other than for the
purpose of criminal investigation
Direction: Watch an episode of SOCO or IMBESTIGADOR and make a critique paper
on how Scene of the Crime Operation Response solve the case . Attached link of the
video and provide the following information needed. Follow the format below.

Part 1: Give a summary about the case at least two pages.

Part 2: What are evidences gathered and how they link it to the suspect? at least two pages.

Part 3: What is your recommendation to reduce the same case? In a bullet form.