Title
Conduct of Crime Scene Investigation
Reference
PNP Standard Operating Procedure No. ODIDM-2011-008
Date
2011-04-07

April 7, 2011

PNP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE NO. ODIDM-2011-008

CONDUCT OF CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

I. References:

a. Instruction of the C, PNP;

b. Revised PNP Criminal Investigation Manual 2010;

c. PNP Field Manual on Investigation of Crimes of Violence and other Crimes (2011);

d. CLC-ADO-01 re Scene of the Crime Operation;

e. Primer on Protocol for Explosives Related Incidents Investigation 2010; and

f. European Union-Philippines Justice Support (EPJUST) Program/TF USIG Case Review Results.

II. Purpose:

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) is one of the most critical stages of any criminal investigation. The initial actions taken at the crime scene by the First Responders, Investigators and SOCO Team members at the outset of the investigation are of such vital importance that oftentimes their actions would determine the outcome of the investigation. However, while CSI is the most important stage of the investigation in terms of collecting vital forensic evidence and information, this initial stage is also often the most chaotic and therefore prone to errors.

Case Reviews of major cases conducted by the DIDM through the EPJUST Program have revealed that one of the major sources of confusion at the crime scene is the unclear delineation of functions of the First Responder (FR),Investigator-on-Case (IOC) and the Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) Team of the PNP Crime Laboratory. While the PNP mandated the PNP Crime Laboratory to conduct SOCO as early as 1996, this relatively new doctrine of utilizing the SOCO team in the collection of forensic evidence at the crime scene necessitates the issuance of a protocol if only to lay down the functions, responsibilities and accountabilities of each member of the CSI team. TSHIDa

It is imperative to remember, however, that the IOC has the primary responsibility over the crime scene and takes control and supervision in the overall crime scene investigation. A systematic and organized procedure on crime scene investigation is therefore the key to ensuring that all potential physical evidence are properly preserved and collected, all possible witnesses are identified and documented, and all the necessary basic procedures are undertaken properly.

For the purpose of this SOP, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) shall refer to all the investigative procedures undertaken at the crime scene commencing from the arrival of the PNP First Responders (FRs) to the arrival of the Duty Investigator/IOC and the SOCO Team until the lifting of the security cordon and release of the crime scene. The following are the intents and purposes of this SOP:

a. To define and delineate the functions and responsibilities of the FRs, the IOC, and the SOCO Team in the conduct of crime scene investigation;

b. To establish and harmonize the sequence of activities that shall be conducted at the crime scene and identify the accountabilities of each responsible PNP personnel/team;

c. To set the standard forms that shall be required to be accomplished by the FR, the SOCO Team and the IOC, which shall henceforth become an integral part of the case folder;

d. To minimize the most common mistakes committed by the investigators and ensure that potential physical evidence is not contaminated or destroyed and potential witnesses are not overlooked;

e. To ensure that lives are saved and that the security and safety of the PNP CSI personnel (FR/IOC/SOCO) are enhanced;

f. To ensure that the CSI procedures are conducted properly, efficiently and effectively to ensure the admissibility of collected evidence in court; and llcd

g. To address and mitigate the investigation procedural weaknesses identified during the conduct of case reviews.

III. Scope of Application:

This SOP applies to all crime scene investigation undertaken by the PNP and provides the procedures to be observed by the FRs, IOC, and SOCO Teams as well as the reports formats that they shall be required to prepare. This procedure shall likewise be observed by the Special Investigation Task Groups (SITG).

IV. Definition of Terms:

The following terms are operationally defined as used for a better understanding of this SOP:

a. Crime Scene A venue or place where the alleged crime/incident/event has been committed;

b. 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 of perpetrator(s) for prosecution. CSI shall technically commence upon the arrival of the FRs and conclude with the lifting of the security cordon and release of the crime scene by the IOC;

c. First Responder (FR) Are 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 of crime. 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;

d. Criminal Investigator A Police Officer who is tasked to conduct the investigation of all criminal cases as provided for and embodied under the Revised Penal Code/Criminal Laws and Special Laws. A well-trained, disciplined and experienced professional in the field of criminal investigation duties and responsibilities;

e. Investigator-on-Case (IOC)/Duty Investigator Shall refer to any PNP personnel who is duly designated or assigned to conduct the inquiry of the crime by following a systematic set of procedures and methodologies for the purpose of identifying witnesses, recovering evidence and arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators. The IOC shall assume full responsibility over the crime scene during the conduct of CSI; SEACTH

f. Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) A forensic procedure performed by the trained personnel of the PNP Crime Laboratory SOCO Team through scientific methods of investigation for the purpose of preserving the crime scene, gathering information, documentation, collection, and examination of all physical and other forensic evidence;

g. After SOCO Report It is a report rendered and prepared by the Team Leader of the PNP Crime Laboratory SOCO Team which conducted the scene of the crime operations;

h. Crime Scene Search Is a systematic method employed by the SOCO Team, if the nature of the case is sensational or sensitive, and the IOC in the conduct of search in the crime scene and in the surrounding areas where the alleged crime/incident/event has taken place for the purpose of finding and recovering evidence. There are several methods of crime scene search which can be employed such as strip search, double strip search, spiral search, zone or quadrant search, wheel method, etc.;

i. Evidence The means sanctioned by the Rules of Court, of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact. These include but are not limited to documentary, testimonial, electronic and object evidence, gathered in the course of the investigation;

j. Physical Evidence Evidence addressed to the senses of the court that are capable of being exhibited, examined, or viewed by the court. This includes but not limited to fingerprints, body fluids, explosives, hazardous chemicals, soil/burned debris, bombs, electronic parts used in the commission of the crime;

k. Forensic Evidence A form of legal evidence that can be used in a court of law to convict a person of a crime and as a category of public presentation; and

l. Jurisdiction The word "jurisdiction" as used in the Constitution and statutes means jurisdiction over the subject matter only, unless an exception arises by reasons of its employment in a broader sense. CacEID

V. Policies and Guidelines:

General Policy:

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) shall refer to the post-incident police operational procedures undertaken at the crime scene. It presupposes that the crime has been consummated and therefore investigation is to be commenced with the securing and processing of the place of occurrence.

The CSI start with the arrival of the PNP First Responders (FRs) to the arrival of the Duty Investigator/IOC and the SOCO Team until the lifting of the security cordon and release of the crime scene.

Specific Functions, Responsibilities and Procedures:

The following are the functions and responsibilities of the different players during the crime scene investigation as well as procedures to be observed:

1. First Responder:

a. The first Police Officers to arrive at the crime scene are the FRs who were dispatched by the local police station/unit concerned after receipt of incident/flash/alarm report;

b. Immediately, the FR shall conduct a preliminary evaluation of the crime scene. This evaluation should include the scope of the incident, emergency services required, scene safety concerns, administration of life saving measures, and establishment of security and control of the scene;

c. The FR is mandated to save and preserve life by giving the necessary first aid measures to the injured and their medical evacuation as necessary. The FR shall likewise secure and preserve the crime scene by cordoning the area to prevent unauthorized entry of persons; DHEcCT

d. The FR shall take the dying declaration of severely injured person/s, if any. The FR shall make the initial assessment on whether a crime has actually been committed and shall conduct the preliminary interview of witnesses to determine what and how the crime was committed;

e. If and when there is a suspect present in the area, the first responder shall arrest, detain and remove the suspect from the area; and

f. The FR, upon the arrival of the IOC, shall turn-over the crime scene to the duty investigator/IOC after the former has briefed the investigator of the situation. The FR shall prepare and submit the CSI Form "1" First Responders Report to the IOC and be prepared to assist the IOC in the investigation.

2. Investigator-on-Case (IOC)/Duty Investigator:

a. Upon arrival at the crime scene, the IOC shall request for a briefing from the FR and make a quick assessment of the crime;

b. At this stage, the IOC shall assume full responsibility over the crime scene and shall conduct a thorough assessment of the scene and inquiry into incident. If necessary the IOC may conduct crime scene search outside the area where the incident happened employing any of the various search methods;

c. Based on the assessment, if the IOC determines that a SOCO team is required, he shall report the matter to his COP and request for a SOCO, otherwise, the IOC shall proceed with the CSI without the SOCO team and shall utilize CSI Form "4" SOCO Report Forms in the conduct of the CSI; SHacCD

d. The IOC may by himself if the situation so demands, conduct CSI if, there is no Provincial Crime Laboratory Office/Regional Crime Laboratory Office in the province. The IOC must, however, ensure that the correct procedures in the collection of evidence are observed to ensure the admissibility of the evidence;

e. The Police Station Operation Center, upon directive of the COP, shall make the request for the SOCO team through the Provincial/City Operations Center;

f. It shall be the responsibility of the Provincial/City Operations Center to facilitate the request for the SOCO Team;

g. Upon the arrival of the SOCO Team, the IOC shall accomplish the CSI Form "2" Request for the Conduct of SOCO and submit the same to the SOCO Team Leader. The SOCO team shall not enter the crime scene unless the IOC makes the official written request wherein he assures the SOCO team of his presence and support; and

h. The IOC shall brief the SOCO Team upon their arrival at the crime scene and shall jointly conduct the preliminary crime scene survey.

3. SOCO Team:

a. 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;

b. Upon receipt of the Request for Conduct of SOCO, the SOCO Team shall then conduct the scene of the crime operations which include among others the narrative description of the crime scene, photography, videography, crime scene search, crime scene sketch, crime scene location sketch, physical evidence recording and collection, and other procedures necessary; HDATSI

c. In case the SOCO Team needs to temporarily suspend the processing, the Chief of Police shall be primarily responsible and accountable for securing the crime scene and ensuring its integrity until the return of SOCO Team and the conclusion of the CSI;

d. After the termination of the SOCO, the SOCO Team Leader shall brief the IOC on the initial results and thereafter conduct the final crime scene survey together with the IOC; and

e. The SOCO Team shall accomplish the CSI Form "4" SOCO Report Forms and furnish the IOC of copies of the same before leaving the crime scene.

4. Release of the Crime Scene:

a. The IOC shall decide on the lifting of the security cordon and the release of the crime scene upon consultation with the SOCO Team Leader and he shall be responsible in ensuring that all pieces of potential evidence were collected by the SOCO Team as any re-entry into the crime scene after its release to the owner will require a Search Warrant issued by the Court;

b. The IOC shall accomplish the CSI Form "6" IOC/Investigator's CSI Form before the cordon shall be lifted;

c. The IOC shall ensure that appropriate inventory has been provided by the SOCO Team and shall only lift the security cordon and release the crime scene only after completion of the documentation process; EaHDcS

d. The IOC or the COP shall turn-over the crime scene to the owner of the property or where the crime scene is a public place, to any local person in authority;

e. The IOC as well as the SOCO Team shall completely fill-up the forms specified in this SOP. The IOC shall accomplish and submit the Investigator's Report with all the required attachments to the COP within two (2) working days from the date of incidence (See Annex H);and

f. The CSI Report shall be the first entry in the Case Folder for the investigation of the incident.

VI. Standard CSI Forms:

a. CSI Form "1" (First Responder's Report Form) To be accomplished by the FR detailing among other things, his rank, name, initial information gathered and anything that was moved in the crime scene prior to the arrival of the investigator. Further, Form 1 should be signed by a witness. Form 1 should always be included as part of the FR's kit. (See Annex B)

b. CSI Form "2" (Request for the Conduct of SOCO) To be accomplished by the IOC and submitted to the SOCO Team Leader at the crime scene. (See Annex C)

c. CSI Form "3" (Turn-over of Collected Evidence from IOC to SOCO Team) To be accomplished by the IOC certifying that the items/physical evidence found, collected and initially marked and inventoried by the investigator at the crime scene were properly turned-over to SOCO Team Evidence Custodian. (See Annex D)

d. CSI Form "4" (SOCO Report Forms 1-4) The initial findings of the SOCO Team shall be contained in the SOCO Report Forms 1 to 4 which shall be accomplished immediately after completion of the SOCO. A copy of the said reports shall be provided to the IOC within 24-hour after the release of the crime scene. The IOC may also use those forms in the absence of a SOCO Team. (See Annex E) HIcTDE

e. CSI Form "5" (Release of Crime Scene Form) This shall be accomplished by the IOC or the COP and witnessed by the SOCO Team Leader and conformed by the owner of the property or representative of the local authority. A copy of the crime scene release form shall be provided to the owner. (See Annex F)

f. CSI Form "6" (IOC/Investigator's CSI Form) This shall be accomplished by the IOC at the OSCP prior to the lifting of the security cordon. (See Annex G)

VII. Flow Chart

See Annex "A" for the Crime Scene Investigation Flow Chart.

VIII. Penal Clause:

Any violation of this SOP shall be dealt with administratively. All Unit Commanders shall be investigated under the principle of command responsibility. If evidence further warrants, criminal complaints shall also be filed against those who may have committed acts or omissions in violation of the Revised Penal Code or any special law.

IX. Repealing Clause:

Any issuance, memoranda, rules and regulations issued by the PNP inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed or amended accordingly.

X. Effectivity:

This SOP shall take effect fifteen days from filing a copy thereof at the University of the Philippines Law Center in consonance with Sections 3 and 4, Chapter 2, Book VII of

(SGD.) ATTY. RAUL M. BACALZO, Ph.D.
Police Director General
Chief, Philippine National Police

ANNEX A

Crime Scene Investigation Flowchart

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ANNEX B

CSI FORM "1"

CSI Form 1: First Responder's Form

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ANNEX C

CSI FORM "2"

CSI Form 2: Request for the Conduct of SOCO

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ANNEX D

CSI FORM "3"

CSI Form 3: Turn-Over of Collected Evidence from Investigator to SOCO Team Leader

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ANNEX E

CSI FORM "4"

SOCO Report Form "1"

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SOCO Report Form "2"

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SOCO Report Form "3"

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SOCO Report Form "4"

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ANNEX F

CSI FORM "5"

CSI Form 5 Release of Crime Scene Form

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ANNEX G

CSI Form 6: IOC/Investigator's CSI Form

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ANNEX H

CSI Report

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION REPORT
Republic of the Philippines
Department of the Interior and Local Government
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
____________________________
_________________

MEMORANDUM

FOR : Chief of Police
FROM : Investigator-on-Case
SUBJECT : Crime Scene Investigation Report re ________ (incident)
DATE :

1. Reference: (Authority) DICcTa

2. ICOW the above reference, respectfully submitted is the Report on Crime Scene Investigation conducted on _________ (date) at the __________________________ (location) for alleged _________ incident

3. The following are the significant activities and information:

a. That the First Responders led by ________________________ arrived at the crime scene o/a _______________ (time/date),and was able to secure and establish the security cordon o/a ____________ (time) on __________________; (Please see attached FR Request of ____________________ CLO).

b. That the Investigator-on-Case arrived at the crime scene on/about ______________ (time/date) and thereafter assumed responsibility over the crime scene and conducted inquiry on the incident; (see attached Investigation CSI Form)

c. That members of the SOCO TEAM (if applicable) led by ____________________ arrived at the crime scene o/a ____________ and conducted forensic investigation and collected all potential pieces of evidence; and

d. That the crime scene was formally released to ____________________ of ________________________ and security cordon was lifted on/a ________________.

4. Attached are the FR's Report, Investigator's CSI Form and SOCO reports for your reference which will form as an integral part of the Case Folder of ____________________ incident

5. For information.

____________________________
Investigator/investigator on Case

Attachments:

- FR Form

- Investigator's CSI Form

- SOCO Forms

ANNEX I

Investigator's Checklist at the Crime Scene

A. Investigator/IOC's Inquiry Checklist

# Inquiry Yes No
a When, where and why did it happen? ______ ______
b Who is the victim? ______ ______
c Possible motive/s? ______ ______
d How did the perpetrator gain entry into the crime scene
and how did he flee the scene? When? ______ ______
e Is the perpetrator to be found among a selected few? ______ ______
f Could any specific individual be suspected? Why? ______ ______
g Is there a description of the perpetrators?
Accomplices? ______ ______
h Is there any information on vehicles used? ______ ______
i Is there anything missing from the crime scene
or from the victim? ______ ______
j Did the perpetrator leave anything behind through
which he could be traced? ______ ______
k Are there any other incidents, occurrences,
circumstances or observations that could be
connected with the crime? ______ ______
l Determine if the particular area is the primary crime
scene or is it just the finding place and the crime
happened in some other place? If so, secure the
primary crime scene. ______ ______

B. Investigator's Activity Checklist

# Activity Yes No
1 Who received the report of the incident?
How was it received?
When was it received (time)? ______ ______
2 Who reported the incident?
Name, address:
Phone number.
Where the concerned could be reached in the near
future. ______ ______
3 Factual information.
What happened;
Time, place?
Circumstances surrounding the incident?
Is the suspect identified?
Weapons? ______ ______
4 Initial measures undertaken:
Date, time
Responsible officer ______ ______
5 Response time? ______ ______
6 Logbook? ______ ______
7 Measures undertaken by the first officer arriving
at the scene? ______ ______
a. Murder: (body still on the scene)
- Post-mortem changes ______ ______
- Algor mortis (blood circulation stops) ______ ______
- Livor mortis (body cools down) ______ ______
- Rigor mortis (Body becomes rigid) ______ ______
- Life-saving measures?
Is it the scene, the primary crime scene or
finding place? ______ ______
b. Murder: (body brought to hospital)
- Officers immediately ordered to proceed to
the hospital? ______ ______
- Seizure of the victim's clothes? ______ ______
- Interviews with attending hospital staff ______ ______
- Who brought the body to the hospital ______ ______
- How has clothing been handled ______ ______
- Presence of wallet ______ ______
- Mobile phone ______ ______
- ID-card ______ ______
- Other items etc.
- If shots have been fired, paraffin casting of the
person's hands for extraction of gunpowder
residue ______ ______
c. Kidnapping/Abduction:
- Accurate description of the kidnapped person? ______ ______
- Accurate description of all circumstances
around the abduction? ______ ______
- Collection of dental records, x-ray pictures? ______ ______
- Collection of medical records, x-ray pictures? ______ ______
- Seizure of DNA-carrying items (toothbrush,
safety razor, combs)? ______ ______
- Fingerprints? ______ ______
- Comparison samples from relatives (preferably
mother)? ______ ______
- Photos? ______ ______
- Flash alarm? ______ ______
d. In all cases:
- Cordon off a sufficiently large area around the
crime scene, taking into account perpetrator's
potential hide-out, ports of entry and departure? ______ ______
- Ensure protection of the cordoned off crime
scene and secure evidence that could be
destroyed by external factors? ______ ______
- Record or take note of everyone who enters the
crime scene. ______ ______
- Notes of bystanders? ______ ______
- Make a documentation of the crime scene
(lighting, odor, windows) (photo or sketch) ______ ______
- Make a description of the surrounding area
of the scene (dwellings, shops, bus stops,
restaurants etc.,security guards, pulis
OYSTERS, etc.). ______ ______
- Take note of license numbers of parked cars
in the vicinity/area (potential witnesses)? ______ ______
- Check for Presence of CCTV ______ ______
- Mobile phone? ______ ______
8 Crime scene examination:
- Outcome of proceedings (protocol)? ______ ______
- Documentation (photos, videos, sketches)? ______ ______
- Collected samples? ______ ______
- Further forensic investigations? ______ ______
- Results? ______ ______
- Prudence of early decision to lift cordons? ______ ______
9 Organizational set-up:
- Structure? SITG? ______ ______
- Allocation of resources (reinforcements)? ______ ______
- Officer-in-charge? ______ ______
- Priorities and directions? ______ ______
- Tasking? ______ ______
- Documentation? ______ ______
- Briefings? ______ ______
- Contingency plans? ______ ______
- Media relations (monitoring and collection of
articles, and other media coverage of the incident)? ______ ______
10 Alert other police stations and units in the adjacent
areas? ______ ______
- Routines? ______ ______
11 Immediate measures to track down and apprehend the
perpetrator? ______ ______
- Check-points etc.? ______ ______
- Employment of canine? ______ ______
- Flash alarms? ______ ______
12 Canvassing operation (house-to-house) around the
crime scene and the route of escape? ______ ______
- Prepared templates with battery of questions? ______ ______
- Comparison materials (cars, colors, etc.). ______ ______
- Interviews? ______ ______
13 Other initial measures:
- Secured CCTV footages? ______ ______
- Interview of people on the spot? ______ ______
- Treatment of witnesses and family of the
victim? ______ ______
- Request of lists of mobile communications in
the area during critical time (mobile phone
operators)? ______ ______
- Interviews with ambulance staff or other people
bringing the body from the scene (if victim was
alive did he say something?). ______ ______
- If victim alive at hospital and under treatment,
presence of investigator? ______ ______
- Man hotline? ______ ______
- Other incidents connected to the case at hand? ______ ______
- Contact with prosecutor? ______ ______
16 House search at victim's dwelling and other
premises, cars, etc.? ______ ______
- Seizure and analysis of computers,
- Mobile phones,
- Pagers, diaries,
- Photos,
- Letters,
- Receipts,
Balance sheets, etc.
18 Identification of suspect? ______ ______
- Physical evidence? ______ ______
- Eye witnesses (line-up, video, photo
identification)? ______ ______
- Composite sketches? ______ ______
Flash alarm? ______ ______
Remarks/Recommendations:
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

The checklists are only meant as a guide and not as a substitute for critical thinking. In some cases certain items can probably be left out, while others must be added.

C. Checklist for Conduct of CSI for Crimes of Violence

# Activity Yes No
1 Shooting Incident ______ ______
- Conduct paraffin casting on the hands of all the
persons involved ______ ______
- Look for blood from the victims on suspects or
vice versa ______ ______
- Look for blood spatters from the entry wound on
hands, clothes, weapons, etc. ______ ______
- Secure a photograph of any blood spatter images ______ ______
- Assess the range and the direction of the shots ______ ______
- Recover clothes to facilitate determination of
powder residue ______ ______
- Collect fibers ______ ______
- Collect weapons, empty cartridge cases, bullets
and ammunition. ______ ______
- Document the situation ______ ______
- Take photographs ______ ______
- Draw a sketch of the scene, location and
the vicinity. ______ ______
- Do not touch bullets with your bare fingers. ______ ______
2 In case of death ______ ______
- Check the premises ______ ______
- Collect dustbins ______ ______
- Look for moist trace evidence ______ ______
- Check the parked cars ______ ______
- Collect the watches ______ ______
- Check for odours ______ ______
- Check the lighting ______ ______
- Check the doors, windows and walls ______ ______
- Inspect the radio sets, TV sets, etc. ______ ______
3 Inspection of the body ______ ______
a. Collect loose hair, wads of fibers, etc. all the
time while the body is being inspected. Decide
whether to collect fibres on free body surfaces,
hair and clothes by taping. ______ ______
b. Make a note of signs of death. If possible, measure
the body temperature and write down the relevant
times. ______ ______
c. Hair. Are injuries concealed by hair? ______ ______
d. Has hair been torn off? ______ ______
e. Foreign substances? ______ ______
f. Check for bleeding in the ears. ______ ______
g. Check for conjunctival bleeding. ______ ______
h. Examine the root of the nose and nostrils. ______ ______
i. Check whether there are any foreign objects in
the oral cavity. ______ ______
j. Examine the neck for skin scrapings, red spots
and strangulation marks. ______ ______
k. Examine the arms for bruises caused by gripping
and resistance. ______ ______
l. Check for marks made by syringes, especially in
the crook of the arm. ______ ______
m. Examine wrists for old or new cuts. ______ ______
n. Examine the hands and under the nails for
injuries due to resistance and for swellings, hairs
and skin fragments. ______ ______
o. Cover the hands with paper bag to facilitate the
continued search for skin fragments, hairs, fibres,
etc. during autopsy. ______ ______
p. Examine the front and back of the body from top
to bottom. ______ ______
q. Examine legs and feet. Any blood on the soles
of the feet? ______ ______
r. Any marks or injuries indicating that the body
was dragged? ______ ______
4 Inspection of clothes ______ ______
a. Describe and photograph visible clothing in detail.
(To be completed in connection with the autopsy). ______ ______
b. Pay attention to creases, damage, bullet-holes,
blood spatter, dirt, position on the body, etc. ______ ______
c. Examine the pockets. Make a list of the contents. ______ ______
d. Describe the presence of blood and any other
stains on the clothing. ______ ______
e. The clothes should be taken charge of in
connection with the autopsy. ______ ______
5 Weapons ______ ______
a. Recovered weapons call for especially
careful handling for safety reasons ______ ______
b. Hold the weapon by a part with a rough surface
or by the strap so as not to destroy any evidence. ______ ______
c. Always check whether there are any cartridges
left in the chamber before doing anything else. ______ ______
d. Never insert any object, such as a pencil, in the
bore or the trigger-guard. ______ ______
e. Never point the weapon in a way that might
injure someone with an accidental shot. ______ ______
f. Check the safety catch, (If you are not sure of
how to operate the safety, do not handle the
weapon.) ______ ______

The checklists are only meant as a guide and not as a substitute for critical thinking. In some cases certain items can probably be left out, while others must be added.