This study assessed the processing of crime scenes in Police Regional Office 2 as basis for a unified collaboration during investigation. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: How do the respondents assess the processing of crime scenes in Police Regional Office 2 in terms of securing the crime scene; collecting physical evidence; and analyzing evidence? What are the problems encountered by Police Regional Office 2 on processing the crime scene relative to the aforecited variables? Is there a significant difference in the assessments of the respondents on the processing of crime scenes in Police Regional Office 2, the problems encountered, and the proposed measures to solve the problems relative to the above mentioned variables? What action plan can be formulated based on the findings of the study?
The respondents assessed the processing of crime scenes in Police Regional Office 2 towards the unified collaboration during investigation as effective, the problems encountered as serious and the proposed measures to address the problems as highly recommended.
Based on the findings, the following were the conclusions: the police investigators and SOCO personnel of Police Regional Office 2 assessed the unified collaboration during investigation as generally effective. Improved collaboration, however are needed in strategies regarding crowd control, modern evidence gathering, and profiling of criminals. The problems encountered by the Police Regional Office 2 on processing of crime scene are considered serious taking into account that all factors point to the severity of the problem. In general, these serious problems were compounded by lack of personnel, insufficient knowledge in utilizing technology, and reporting comprehensive investigative reports. The measures proposed to address the problems encountered on the three aspects of the program are highly recommended as advanced by the respondents. These are offered to improve and enhance the processing of crime scene in Police Regional Office 2 in response to crime scene. The police investigators and SOCO personnel have varied views on the processing of crime scene in the three aspects of the program. The three groups have similar assessment on the level of effectiveness on the processing of crime scene and degree of seriousness of the problems and differ on the extent of need of the measures proposed in all three aspects of the program. In all the three areas assessed, police investigators showed to have rated its extent of effective rather highly, downplayed the problems identified, and recommended the least the measures proposed for the said problems contrary to SOCO personnel group of respondents who rated the three aspects otherwise. There is a need for the formulation of an integrated training program that is aimed to further improve the competence of Police Regional Office 2 on crime scene management.
Based on the conclusions, the following recommendations were henceforth submitted: The Police Regional Office 2 needs to continually re-assess itself to identify strengths and weaknesses along the three aspects in the processing of crime scene in the area of jurisdiction of Police Regional Office 2. Strategies should be re-aligned to improve evidence gathering by training community members as part of crowd control measures. Adopt modern methods of investigation by using new technologies and devices. Propose for the acquisition of computer soft wares that could create facial profiles of criminals to strengthen the collaboration between police investigators and SOCO. Train investigators on report writing. Written reports must also be uploaded to a computer server that can be accessed by concerned investigators and SOCO personnel for comparisons. Select investigators and SOCO personnel that needed the most training. Conduct of annual integrated training program should be formulated, a collaborator action be done and a periodic training/seminars be conducted to enhance crime scene management in Police Regional Office 2. Adoption of the proposed action plan development program in the conduct of this study for subsequent implementation and further study should be done in the field of crime scene management in order not only to validate the findings of this study but more importantly improve the working relationship amongst stakeholders.