Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
AN ACT 
MODERNIZING THE CRIME INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES OF LAW 
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed measure aims to improve the access of our law enforcement agents 
to modern crime investigation techniques for the better administration of justice. 
Advancements in forensic science and investigative practices have significantly 
transformed the conduct of criminal investigations. There was a time when our law 
enforcement relied heavily on paraffin testing to investigate persons suspected of 
discharging a firearm. This has since been declared by the Supreme Court as 
inconclusive and unreliable.1 The continued use of obsolete techniques undermines the 
credibility of criminal investigations and erodes public trust. 
The science of criminal investigations should also change to keep up with the rapid 
pace of modern life, and heavy reliance on computers and technology for a wide array of 
transactions. Keeping up with strategies is significant in the maintenance of peace order 
in our society and administration of justice. 
This proposed measure is both timely and forward looking. It builds on the 
momentum of recent advancements in forensic science in the Philippines, including the 
launch of the National Forensics Institute (NFI) at the University of the Philippines Manila. 
Envisioned as the country’s premier center for forensic education, research, and services, 
the NFI seeks to improve the conduct of science-based criminal investigations.2 Notably, 
1 People v. Teehankee, Jr., G.R. Nos. 111206-08, October 6, 1995; People v. Mumar, G.R. No. 123155, 
June 8, 2000; People v. Cajumocan, G.R. No. 155023, May 28, 2004. 
2https://up.edu.ph/on-117th-anniv-up-reaffirms-commitment-to-advance-rights-justice-with-national-
6:07 pm
July 23, 2025
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the University of the Philippines Manila will offer a new Master of Science in Forensic 
Medicine program, in partnership with the Monash University in Australia.3 These 
developments underscore the need for our legal framework to keep pace and reinforce 
these advances toward a modern system of criminal investigation. 
In light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
          BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
  Representative 
2nd District of Parañaque
forensics-institute-launch/. 
3https://up.edu.ph/on-117th-anniv-up-reaffirms-commitment-to-advance-rights-justice-with-national-
forensics-institute-launch/; https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/10/25/2395236/new-forensic-science-
programs-coming-philippines. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
AN ACT 
MODERNIZING THE CRIME INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES OF LAW 
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Crime Investigation 
Modernization Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
actively promote, induce, and accelerate a sound and modern procedure in crime 
investigation. 
SECTION 3. Principles and Standards in Crime Investigation. – All law 
enforcement agencies shall be guided by the following principles and standards in 
conducting their investigations: 
(1)
The Constitutional rights of all persons shall be respected at all times. Toward
this end, obsolete and unreliable crime investigation methods, such as
paraffin testing, shall be phased out;
(2)
One of the most important aspects of securing the crime scene is to preserve
the scene with minimal contamination and disturbance of physical evidence.
The initial response to an incident shall be expeditious and methodical. Upon
arrival, the officer shall assess the scene and treat the incident as a crime
scene;
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(a) The initial responding officers shall ensure that medical attention is provided 
with minimal contamination of the scene; 
(b) The initial responding officers at the scene shall provide a detailed crime 
scene briefing to the investigators in charge of the scene; 
(c) Controlling, identifying, and removing persons at the crime scene and 
limiting the number of persons who enter the crime scene and the 
movement of such persons is an important function of the initial responding 
officers in protecting the crime scene; 
(d) The investigators in charge shall identify specific responsibilities, share 
preliminary information, and develop investigative plans in accordance with 
departmental policy, local, and national laws; 
(e) The investigators in charge shall ensure documentation of the scene using 
photos, videos, sketches, measurements and notes, among others; 
(f) The investigators must prioritize the collection of evidence to prevent loss, 
destruction, or contamination; and 
(g) The investigators in charge shall direct another walk-through at the 
conclusion of the scene investigation and ensure that the scene 
investigation is complete; 
 
(3) 
The safety and physical well-being of officers and other individuals, in and 
around the crime scene, are the initial responding officers' priority; 
(4) 
Defining and controlling the boundaries provide a means for protecting and 
securing the crime scene; 
(5) 
All activities conducted and observations made at the crime scene must be 
documented as soon as possible after the event to preserve information; 
(6) 
Contamination control and prevention of cross-contamination at single or 
multiple scenes is essential to maintain the safety of personnel and the integrity 
of evidence; 
(7) 
Evidence at a crime scene that is in the process of documentation, collection, 
preservation, or packaging should be handled with attention to scene integrity 
and protection from contamination or deleterious change. During the processing 
of the scene, and following documentation, evidence should be appropriately 
packaged, labeled, and maintained in a secure, temporary manner until final 
packaging and submission to a secured evidence storage facility or the crime 
laboratory; 
(8) 
Law enforcement personnel and other responders shall participate in or initiate 
a crime scene debriefing to ensure the crime scene investigation is complete 
and to verify post-scene responsibilities; and 
(9) 
Reports and other documentation pertaining to the crime scene investigation 
shall be compiled into a case file by the investigators in charge of the crime 


scene. This file shall be a record of the actions taken and evidence collected at 
the scene. This documentation shall allow for independent review of the work 
conducted. 
 
SECTION 4. Creation of the Crime Investigation Modernization Committee (CIMC). 
– The Crime Investigation Modernization Committee (CIMC) is hereby established and 
shall be composed of the following: 
 
(1) 
Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government as Chairperson; 
(2) 
Chief of the Philippine National Police; 
(3) 
Director of the National Bureau of Investigation; and 
(4) 
Two (2) experts in forensic science to be appointed by the President. 
 
SECTION 5. Duties of the CIMC. – The CIMC shall have the following duties and 
responsibilities: 
 
(1) 
Conduct a study on the modern methods of criminal investigation and their 
applicability to the Philippines; 
(2) 
Create a manual for law enforcement officers according to the standards 
enumerated under Section 3 of this Act. This Manual shall serve as the basic 
requirement in all subsequent criminal investigations. It shall be the 
responsibility of the CIMC to train the members of all law enforcement agencies 
according to the procedures outlined by the manual; 
(3) 
Engage in dialogues with foreign police agencies on possible sharing and 
transfer of technology in forensic investigation; 
(4) 
Within three (3) years after the creation of CIMC, it shall submit a report to 
Congress on the costs and ways of implementing a comprehensive program on 
modernization of crime investigation; 
(5) Complete a study on the feasibility of creating a course on Forensic Science in 
State Universities and Colleges to be submitted to Congress within two (2) years 
after the creation of CIMC; and 
(6) Send scholars abroad for training in forensic science and related fields. Any 
person who shall be granted educational scholarship or training shall be 
required to render government service for at least three (3) years after 
completion of their study or training subject to existing laws. 
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect. 
 


SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, executive orders and rules 
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,