Outmoded method of investigation

Almost always, we see, on TV, Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) taking the fingerprints of the victims or measuring the distance between the corpse and a fixed object such as a wall or telephone post, or encircling a spent bullet shell with a chalk-mark, etc.

This method of collecting pieces of evidence at a crime scene appears primitive and outmoded. With the advent of sophisticated cameras and cell phones, the entire picture of the crime scene can be accurately recorded and preserved. And what seems to be absurd is the taking of the lifeless crime victim’s fingerprints in the presence of his/her wailing relatives like the parents and spouse.

Fingerprints are for identification only and since the victim is properly identified by the relatives, such investigative routine is no longer necessary.

I hope that our police investigators will take note of this humble observation.

R.B. MORATA, Comembo, Makati City