• Automated Fingerprint Identification System
  

• DNA Section
  

INTRODUCTION

         In our modern Criminal Justice System, the investigation is required of an objectivity that can only be achieved by means of scientific means. Photography is one that plays a very important role in both criminal and civil cases. The usefulness of forensic photography in criminal investigation is very extensive.
        In modern Criminal Justice System, the investigation is required of an objectivity that can only be achieved by means of scientific means. Photography is one that plays a very important role in both criminal and civil cases. The usefulness of forensic photography in criminal investigation is very extensive.
        Small objects but of great importance in a crime committed may escape in the first place of examination by the investigators but may be seen and recovered only after close examination of the photographs of the crime scene. Investigators are sometimes compelled to reconstruct or describe in court some of the details of the crime scene they have investigated several months ago. With the bulk of cases they have handled, perhaps he would be confused or may not exactly recall some of these details or exact location of objects. However, with the aid of photographs, investigator will not find hard time to refresh their minds and will be able to describe or explain exactly the details in court.
        A good photograph is a permanent record which is always available especially in court presentation. Therefore, photographers should bear in mind to obtain a normal, sharp and free of distortion photographs.
        Photography can be used for identification, record, presentation and substitution of evidence of the crime.
        It can discover things that could not be seen by the naked eye as photography extends man’s visual limitation. Always remember that the opinion of the expert
        Witness is always susceptible to ocular inspection otherwise his testimony would have a lesser weight.

MISSION

1.    Provides photographic assistance to investigative units of the AFP, PNP and other government investigative institutions;
2.    Conducts facial sketching of suspect/s based on actual description of victims or witnesses to aid police investigators in the apprehension of the perpetrator of a crime;
3.    Conducts lectures to different public/ private schools upon request; and
4.    Appears as witness both in criminal and civil courts.

FUNCTIONS/CAPABILITIES

      1.    Photograph suspects and crime victims for personal identification;
      2.    Photograph evidence submitted to this laboratory before examination;
      3.    Conduct crime scene photography;
      4.    Conduct comparative examination and analysis of questioned photograph;
      5.    Conducts lectures to different police/military training institutions, gov’t agencies and public/private schools upon request;
      6.    Processes black & white film and print to reduce and enlarge photographs;
      7.    Reproduces photographs and other printed matters;
      8.    Sketches facial features of suspects based on actual description by the witnesses or victims for identification;
      9.    Attend court duties; and
      10.    Maintains Crime Laboratory “Rogue’s Gallery”

OBJECTIVE OF CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY

               1.      To produce a pictorial record of everything regarding the crime.
               2.      To help in keeping the police officers memory accurately as possible as to where he find things.
               3.      To help in securing obtaining confession, description and information to the case.

CRIME SCENE SKETCHING

               Photographs alone are not sufficient for recording a crime scene adequately. A crime scene sketch should also be routinely made and the two should be used to complement each other to depict the crime scene adequately and properly. Sketches clarify the appearance of the crime scene and make the scene easier to comprehend. It is therefore, important for investigators to develop the ability to make good crime scene sketches.
               A crime sketch is not considered an architectural drawing such as one drawn by an artist or forensic surveyor. It is simply an illustrative diagram or drawing that accurately depicts the appearance of the crime scene.
               Sketching the crime scene requires some skill on the part of the Sketcher. Generally, it requires more than one person to draw the diagram. One person may be responsible for the actual drawing and the second person for taking measurements.
               Sketches offer a permanent record of the relationship of items at the scene to each other and help supplement photographs. They depict the overall layout of the location more easily that can be accomplished by a single photograph. Sketches also allow for selectivity. The sketch may be drawn purposely to leave out extraneous and confusing details that would be recorded in a photograph.


COMPOSITE CRIMINAL ILLUSTRATION

                A composite session includes drawing and interviewing. The artist must have the ability to create a quality facial drawing with assured confidence. Drawing is an important part of composite session. However, the most important skill is the ability to interview and relate to a victim or witness. The interview is the most significant part of the composite session and is on going throughout the process.
                The composite sketch is done in three stages. Proportions: the artist will first block-out the facial proportions. Characteristics: the artist will fill in the shapes of the facial characteristics in the areas determined by the proportions. Rendering: the artist will render facial form, value and texture through shading.
                The artist must allow the witness/victim the opportunity to comment on the sketch throughout the drawing process. Not until the witness/victim is satisfied with the sketch or the artist feels all information the witness/victim recalls has been retrieved, should the sketch be considered finished. No matter how well the artist draws, he is always limited to the information stored in a witness’s or victim’s memory.


TO MAKE A LETTER REQUEST:
               Submit at least 3 copies of written request to Administrative Division. One copy for Admin, one for Photo Div and one for the requesting party.

Submit at least 3 copies of written request coming from the Investigating Unit to Administrative Division, Crime Laboratory. (One copies each for Admin, Forensic Photo Div and Requesting Party.)

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