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

 Identify the types of search;

 Understand the importance of crime scene search;
 Simulate a crime scene investigation applying all the types of
searches. 3

Lesson 4 is a continuation lesson of lesson 3, and it discusses the different types of

searches used in conducting evidence searches during a crime scene investigation. It also
introduces the basic composition or tasks of the SOCO team organization, emphasizing their
responsibilities while conducting a crime scene investigation. This lesson also enumerating the
equipment required in conducting investigation, the suppletory administrative rules and procedures
is also present in this lesson. Prepare for the activities and learning tasks outlined in this lesson to
help you develop a better understanding of crime scene investigation. At the end of the day, you
will be conducting simulated crime scene investigation by applying all the type of searches and by
following the SOCO General procedures.
Spot the differences!
Direction. Find and encircle on the differences between the two photos as quickly as you can!

Figure 1 Spot the Difference | 10 Differences, 8 Minutes? (highspeedtraining.co.uk)

Figure 2 https://archive.org/details/spot-the-difference

Figure 3 https://www.deviantart.com/grimay/art/Spot-the-Difference-323012306
 Direction: Consider the questions below, your answer must composedof three (3) to
five (5) sentences only.
RUBRICS:
Content- 4
Organization of ideas- 2
Justification of the answers- 4
10 points

1. What are the possible reasons why a law enforcer failed to be successful in investigation?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.

2. In your own idea what are the responsibilities of the citizens in investigation of crime?
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________.
 Crime Scene search is a search for the physical evidences (visible or invisible).
There are various types of search methods employed by the investigating officers and the forensic
scientists at the scene of crime. The searching methods mainly depends on:
 Type of Crime (Rape, murder, burglary, theft, etc.)
 Nature of Crime (Homicide, suicide, or accident)
 Size of the crime scene (macroscopic or microscopic)
 Location of the crime scene (indoor, outdoor, combination of indoor or outdoor, or any
remote area like underwater, desert, etc.)
 Complexity of the crime scene
Before deciding the search method, all the investigators and the forensic experts must follow the
general guidelines (check list) to observe the crime scene after due recording:
1. Are the doors and windows locked or unlocked? Open or shut?
2. Are there signs of forced entry, such as tool marks or broken locks?
3. Is the house or the crime scene is in good order? If not, does it look like there was a struggle or
was the victim just messy?
4. Is there mail/post/suicidal note/threatening note/ etc. lying around? Has it been opened? Or
where it is located?
5. Is the kitchen in good order? Is there any partially eaten food? Is the table set? If so, for how
many people?
6. Are there signs of a party, such as empty glasses or bottles or full ashtrays?
7. If there are full ashtrays, what brands of cigarettes are present?
8. Is there anything that seems out of place? Is there a couch blocking a doorway?
9. Is there trash in the trash cans? Is there anything out of the ordinary in the trash? Is the trash in
the right chronological order? If not, someone might have been looking for something in the
victim's trash.
10. Are the bathroom towels wet? Are the bathroom towels missing? Are there any signs of a
cleanup?
11. If the crime is a shooting, how many shots were fired? The CSI will try to locate the gun, each
bullet, each shell casing and each bullet hole.
12. If the crime is a stabbing, is a knife obviously missing from victim's kitchen? If so, the crime
may not have been premeditated.
13. Are there any shoe prints or any other footwear marks on the floor or in the area immediately
outside the building?
14. Are there any tire marks in the driveway or in the area around the building?
15. Is there any blood splatter on floors, walls or ceilings?

Irrespective of the type of crime scene, the investigator has to decide the appropriate method
immediately, without delay, so as to collect the evidences in the intact form as far as possible.
Following are the basic search methods, usually commissioned on the crime scene:

TYPES OF SEARCH
1. Quadrant or Zone search method
 In this method, one searcher is assigned to a quadrant, then each quadrant is cut into
another set of quadrants.
2. Strip or Line search method

In this method, the area is blocked out in the form of a rectangle. The searcher proceeds
slowly at the same pace along path parallel to one side of the rectangle. When a piece of
evidence is found, the finder announces his discovery and the search must stop until the
evidence has been cared of. A photographer is called, if necessary. The evidence is
collected and 7 tagged and the search proceeds at a given signal. At the end of the
rectangle, the searcher turns and proceeds along new lanes as shown in the above
illustration.

3. Spiral search method

In this method, the searchers follow each other along the path of a spiral, beginning on the
outside and spiralling in toward the center.

4. Grid or double strip search method

 The grid or double strip method of search is a modification of strip search method. Here, the
rectangle is traverse first parallel to the base then parallel to the side. This is ideal for
Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Operation.

5. Wheel search method

In this method of search, the area is considered to be approximately circular. The searchers
gather at the center and proceed outward along radii or spokes. The procedure should be
repeated several times depending on the size of the circle and the number of searchers.
One shortcoming of this method is the great increase in the area to be observed as the
searcher departs from the center. Another is the possibility of evidence contamination or
destruction with the likelihood that the searchers will step on them as they converge at the
center.
SOCO TEAM ORGANIZATION
1. Basic Individual Attribute
The Scene of Crime of Operation is considered as a specialized type of police
operation wherein PNP personnel may opt to take as their Primary Police Occupational
Specialization (POS). Being such, designation to the SOCO Team shall be based on CIA
(Conduct, Industry, and Aptitude) Parameters.
2. Training
All personnel projected to be detailed with the SOCO Team must undergo the Scene
of Crime Operation Course. The SOCO Course shall be a mandatory course for all PNP
Crime Laboratory personnel mandated to be detailed with SOCO Team prior to their detail
with the different technical division and/or crime laboratory office. They must also undergo
mandatory training on basic First Aid Course.

3. Basic SOCO Composition/Tasks

A. Team Leader
Responsible for the performance and work product of the SOCO and its
individual members at crime scenes.
 Assume Control – ensure safety of personnel and security at scene, including
the designation of a trained individual responsible for assessing potentially
hazardous conditions/environments at the scene.
 Conduct initial work- through for purposes of safety, 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.
 Determine search patterns and make appropriate assignments for team
members.
 Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies and make sure a cooperative
spirit is maintained.
 Ensure that sufficient supplies and equipment are available for personnel –
consider shift planning.
 Control access to the scene and designate an individual to log everyone into
the scene.
 Release the scene after a final survey and inventory of the evidence has been
done.
 Act as PIO/Spokesperson at the Crime Scene.
 Responsible for the consolidation/compilation of reports, documents, and
evidence gathered by the reinforcing SOCO Team that provide support at
the Crime Scene.
 Continuously re-evaluate efficiency of search during entire course of
operation.
 Release the scene after a final survey and inventory of the evidence.
B. Photographer
- Photograph entire area before it is entered.
 Photograph victims, crowd and vehicles.
 Photograph entire scene with overall, medium and close-up coverage, using
measurement 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.

C. Sketcher
-Diagram immediate area of scene. It must be oriented to the North.
 Set forth on sketch major items of evidence and coordinate evidence
nomenclature with Evidence Custodian and Evidence Collectors/processors.
 Indicate adjacent buildings, rooms, furniture, and so forth, as needed.
 Designate and label areas to be searched and advise team leader and all
other search members of nomenclature for designated areas.
 Obtain appropriate assistance for taking measurements and list assistant (s)
on sketch.
 Ensure necessary administrative information, such as scale disclaimer (not
drawn to scale), is recorded on sketch.
D. Evidence Log Recorder/Custodian
Prepare evidence recovery log.
 Coordinate evidence nomenclature with the Sketcher, Photographer and
Evidence Collector/processors.
 Record all evidence.
 Receive all evidence
 Undertake evidence packaging and preservation
 Maintain chain-of-custody of evidences.
 Coordinate transmittal of evidence to the concerned laboratory technical
division for examination
E. Driver/Security
 Coordinate with the supply PNCO to ensure that the vehicle is properly
maintained.
  Provide physical security to the SOCO elements and equipment’s
F. Evidence Processor/Collector
This generally refers to the different forensic specialists, who by virtue of their
specialization, are necessary to identify, collect, examine, and present before the
courts evidence at the crime scene. The services of these forensic specialists shall
be attached to the SOCO Team depending on the SOCO requirements of the
reported crime scene. There are crime incidence where not all forensic specialists
are needed to process the scene.
G. Forensic Specialists Forensic
Specialists refer to the PNP Crime Lab personnel who by academic preparation,
series of specialized trainings, and/or occupational exposure had acquired the required
technical expertise in any of the following PNP Crime Laboratory’s core competencies:
A. Biological Science or any of its branches
B. Physical Science or any of its branches
C. Physical Identification
D. Firearms Identification
E. Fingerprint Identification
F. Document Examination
G. Polygraph Examination
H. Forensic Photography
SOCO EQUIPMENTS AND OTHER LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
SOCO Team Element’s Uniform
The individual elements uniform shall be constituted by the following:
 SOCO Uniform- It shall be the UESB approved uniform
 Personal Equipment Rig
 Firearm
 UV Blacklight/ 3 ALS/Polylite
 Hand Gloves/shoe covers
 Poncho (Raincoat with reflector)
Team Equipment
The SOCO Van must contain the following basic equipments:
 Search Light
 Medical Litter – This shall be utilized by the SOCO Team in moving the injured from
the crime scene to the vehicle that would transport it to the nearest hospital in the
absence of first aid responders.
 Medical First Aid Kit – This shall be standardized equipment as part of the SOCO
capability to respond to medical emergencies.
 Radio Communication Equipment – This shall be the standard issued
communication equipment to afford communication between the SOCO Team and
the Crime Laboratory Office.
 SOCO Kit
 PBI Kit
 One (1) Long Firearm – The SOCO Van shall have one (1) long firearm with one (1)
corresponding basic ammunition load as team defense equipment to be handled by
the security personnel.
SUPPLETORY ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND PROCEDURES
1. Stand on the Tri-Media and Prescribed Relationship
The PNP Crime Laboratory as a part of the law enforcement institution shall respect
the inherent right to information of the public albeit consequential to this fundamental
respect is the affirmation that objectivity shall govern the conduct of crime scene
investigation. Hence, the following are the prescribed rules on media inquiries:
 On crime scene, only the SOCO Team Leader is authorized to provide answers to
the inquiries from the media. The reply must only state the available facts. The Team
Leader must not, in whatever manner, relay any information that could elicit multiple
and subjective 12 inferences or interpretations. In the absence of concrete objective
data, the Team Leader shall courteously beg off to answer inquiries and inform the
media that the inquiries shall be answered after laboratory examinations had been
conducted and with clearance from the criminal investigator on case and/or line or
investigating unit conducting the investigation.
 The SOCO Team Leader must exercise professional maturity to ensure that his reply
to the media inquiries must not in whatever manner impede on the conduct of the
criminal investigation.
 Post Crime Scene Investigation inquiry from the media shall be cleared first from the
Director, PNP CL.

 The PNP Crime Laboratory recognizes the vital role that the media play in enhancing
the community awareness of protecting and preserving the crime scene. Efforts in
direct coordination with the media shall be initiated for this purpose.
2. Crime Scene Protection and Preservation Trainings
The PNP Crime Laboratory shall continuously conduct periodic crime scene
protection trainings for the first responders.
3. Precedence of Authority
The organic SOCO Team of the RCLO or DCLO having responsibility over the area
of incident shall be the Office Primary Responsible (OPR) and reinforcing SOCO Teams
from HQs PNP CL and other RCLOs/DCLOs shall provide support.
4. Coordination
Direct and lateral coordination with PNP units and other law enforcement units for
the purpose of crime scene protection, preservation, and evidence collection is highly
encouraged.
5. Training Designs
Periodic evaluation of the SOCO Program of Instructions shall be undertaken to
ensure that it is current and prospective.
Directions:
 Conduct a crime scene simulation investigation in your home by applying all of the crime
scene search methods.
 You may engage your family member to be a member of the SOCO investigation team.
 When conducting a crime scene simulation investigation, all of the general SOCO
procedures must be followed, especially when searching evidences.
 You can improvise equipment’s to be used during the conduct of crime scene simulation
investigation.
 The simulated crime scene response process should be videotaped and uploaded to the
Google Drive and submit the link of your video in the private message.
 Submit a narrative report with photo documentation of your simulated crime scene
response activity in Google classroom.
Rubrics:
 Criteria/ 20- Excellent 17- Good 13- Fair 5-Needs
Ratings Improvement
Content It covers all the It includes basic It includes The content
topics in depth knowledge essential includes minor
with details and about the topic. information details and it
examples. The The content about the has several
knowledge of seems to be topic, but it has mistakes in the
the topic is good. 1-2 mistakes in facts.
excellent. the facts.
Originality The product The product The uses ideas He/She uses
shows great shows certain from other ideas from other
originality. The originality. It people people without
ideas are shows the use of (quoting them), quoting them.
creative and new ideas and but there is Well
witty. of shrewdness. little evidence done!
of original You
ideas. have
Use of Use of language Three or fewer Four spelling More than four
language There are not spelling or grammar spelling or
any mistakes in mistakes or mistakes. grammar
spelling or punctuation mistakes.
grammar. mistakes.
Videography Several (3-4) One or two Little effort has
and and different different shots, been made to
Photography A lot of different
interest
shots, camera camera provide variety
shots, camera
angles, sound angles, sound to the video.
angles, sound
effects and /or effects and /or
effects, and an
an adequate use an adequate
adequate use of
of zooming use of zooming
zooming
providing variety providing
providing variety
in the video. variety in the
in the video.
video.
Videography The overall Most of the The quality of The quality of
and quality of the quality of the the video is not the video and
Photography
Clarity
video and the video and the very good but the focus are
focus were focus were the overall not very good.
excellent. excellent. focus was
excellent.
successfully completed the activities and tasked for lesson 4 of Module 1. Now, you are
now ready to move to Module 2. Enjoy and keep learning! 
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE
Direction. Identify whether the following statements are true or false. Write T if the statement is
correct. Otherwise, when determined as false, write the word/s that can replaced to make the
statement correct.
1. When cordoning the crime scene area as a First Responder you must use the exact tape
material.
2. As a First Responder you must brief the investigation-on-case on the situation upon arrival.
3. The Investigator-on-case is not allow to interview the witness/es.
4. The function of SOCO is to preserve and protect the crime scene.
5. Before to conduct crime scene investigation, preliminary crime scene survey is a must.
6. The SOCO team leader will control and conduct initial work.
7. National Bureau of Investigation is under the Department of Interior and Local government.
8. NBI extends services in the investigation of cases of administrative and civil nature.
9. NBI is headed by the chief of police.
10.Forensic specialists is refer to PNP crime laboratory personnel.
Cordon- prevent access to or from an area or building by surrounding it with police or other
guards.
Crime Scene search- is a search for the physical evidences (visible or invisible). There are
various types of search methods employed by the investigating officers and the forensic scientists
at the scene of crime
Crime Scene- is any location that may be associated with a committed crime
Criminal Investigator- is the skilled person who is charged with the duty of conducting criminal
investigation when a crime is committed.
Cultivated Sources- these are information’s furnished by informants or informers.
Dying Declaration- The declaration of a dying person, made under a consciousness of an
impending death, may be received in a criminal case wherein his death is the subject of inquiry, as
evidence of the cause and surrounding circumstances of such death.
Field inquiry- It is the general questioning of all persons at the crime scene conducted by the
investigator.
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.
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 the 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.
Forensic Medicine- A branch of medical science which deals with the application of medical
knowledge to elucidate legal problems.
Grapevine Sources- these are information coming from the underworld characteristics such as
prisoners or ex-convicts.
Grid or double strip search method -The grid or double strip method of search is a modification
of strip search method.
Information- the knowledge or facts that the investigator had gathered or acquired from persons
or documents, which are pertinent or relevant concerning the commission of a crime or criminal
activities.
Instrumentation- it is the process of applying instruments or tools of police sciences in criminal
investigation and detection.
Interrogation- the process of obtaining an admission or confession from those suspect who have
committed a crime.
Investigation- is an examination, a study, an analysis and a research of facts and/or
circumstances, situations, incidents and scenarios, either related or not, for the purpose of
rendering a conclusion of proof.
Legal Medicine- A branch of medicine which deals with the application of medical knowledge to
the purpose of law and in the administration of justice.
Medical Jurisprudence- It is a branch of law which deals with the organization and regulation of
the medical profession.
Philippine National Police- who Investigate and prevent crimes, effect the arrest of criminal
offenders, bring offenders to justice and assist in their prosecution;
Quadrant or Zone search method - In this method, one searcher is assigned to a quadrant, then
each quadrant is cut into another set of quadrants.
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.
Spiral search method- In this method, the searchers follow each other along the path of a spiral,
beginning on the outside and spiralling in toward the center.
Strip or Line search method- In this method, the area is blocked out in the form of a rectangle
Wheel search method- In this method of search, the area is considered to be approximately
circular.