Fingerprint evidence remains the most positive means of personal identification in forensic, to date. Though often compared with other modern innovations such DNA, fingerprint evidence results in positive identification whereas other evidence does not. Fingerprint evidence can also distinguish between identical twins. Identification can be effected from fingerprints made in a victim’s blood, paint, or other contaminants, which no other form of evidence can accomplish. There should not be competition between fingerprint evidence and other innovations because all should work hand in hand to solve identification questions. All the crime scene, latent fingerprints are main piece of evidence due to the unique and unchanged nature of the ridge patterns of each individual. The aims of this study were to determine the appropriate technique for recovering latent fingerprints. This type of research could help increase the efficiency of investigation. Examiner’s Guide for the collection, handling and preservation of fingerprint evidence establishes suspect connection and actual physical evidence involvement 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 used in the commission of the crime.
Crime scene search in fingerprint is a systematic method employed by the fingerprint examiner, police investigator and SOCO team, if the nature 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 and event has taken place for the purpose of findings 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.
The PNP CL upgrade of human resources in Fingerprint Identification Division, capability deployed its personnel to mandatory career course, domestic specialized technical trainings, and foreign specialized courses to further enhance personnel skills and capabilities. For the Police Investigator there is a training for scientific method of processing fingerprints is a Seminar-Workshop.
More specifically, the study sought to determine respondent groups capability in the search of scene fingerprint, collection of scene fingerprint; handling and preservation of scene fingerprint observed relative to Examiner Guide.
Descriptive research design was applied in the study using questionnaire, documentary analysis and statistical evaluation method. Such design was propitious for the meager allotted time given for the accomplished of this study, Purposive sampling was employed in the study with 47 fingerprint examiner and 165 police investigator within NCR. Police Investigator group was reduced to a manageable amount per Slovin’s formula, while total enumeration was applied among limited groups of Fingerprint Examiner.
It was hypothesized that there is no significant difference among the proposed changes of the two (2) groups of respondents on their capability to handle fingerprint evidence for Examiner’s Guide in terms of search of scene fingerprint, collection of scene fingerprint; handling and preservation of scene fingerprint. Data were generated from conducted survey questionnaires alongside secondary sources using a structured interviews guide and relevant written documents.
Result revealed that Crime Laboratory personnel National Capital Region are capable of search, collection, handling and preservation of evidence for fingerprint based on examiner guide according to their assessment. However data showed that they need to improve more in terms of collection process despite having divergent views and priorities in other aspects.
In view of the study findings, the following conclusions can be drawn categorically:
1. PNP District Crime Laboratory & District Station at NCR has framework procedural updating search, collection, handling, and preservation of evidence for Fingerprint Guide but needs improvement relative to search and collection of latent print.
2. The most pressing problem encountered in handling fingerprint evidence on search and collection for scene fingerprints.
3. Respondent groups highly needed on the recommended changes covering the handling and preservation of scene fingerprint.
4. There is a significant difference among respondent groups’ assessment on the identified most common concern process (search and collection) of fingerprint evidence.
5. An extensive Training module incorporated within existing Fingerprint letter of instruction (LOI) must be done to improve search and collection, handling and preservation of scene fingerprint capability among operating personnel.