Evidence Management System for Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) Arnold C. Gundran a ; Gilbert M. Tumibay a ; Darryl D. Brenzuela b ; Patrick Dale A. Manaloto b ; Mechelle Ann J. Galope b and Leslie Jasper C. Diamse b Angeles University Foundation a , Systems Plus College Foundation b agundran@gmail.com, tumibay.gibo@auf.edu.ph, darryl.brenzuela@yahoo.com, dey2agustin@yahoo.com, vzeemie@yahoo.com and Portz2222@yahoo.com ABSTRACT The Evidence Management System for Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) was designed to automate the documentation system of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory. The proponent in this study designed a web-based information system that will assist the unit to manage its data collection and documentation of important evidences that are essential for the resolution of a case and may be used by the Criminal Justice System. It uses data filters and search features that will provide ease in retrieving data needed for specific cases. It also includes a Decision Support System where it aids investigators in the proper filing of cases in court. To address the confidentiality and control concern, the proponent created a super admin (main administrator or controller of the program) and identified the Division Chief as the exclusive owner of the access code. The data used for testing this system was derived from the sample data provided by SOCO. The proponent created modules which were subdivided into different divisions and whose end result produced the analysis of the report generation of a crime investigation. KEYWORDS Information Technology, Information Systems, Information processing 1. INTRODUCTION What is SOCO? The Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) is a special task force of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that aims to find answers to serious crimes with the help of local police and forensic investigators [1]. SOCO is a forensic procedure performed by trained personnel of the PNP crime laboratory through scientific methods of investigation for the purpose of the preserving the crime scene, gathering information, documentation, collection, and examination of all physical evidence [2]. A SOCO team was appropriately organized to meet the core mission of the crime laboratory which is a national operating support unit of the PNP by virtue of NAPOLCOM resolution Nr. 96-058 in 1996. The function of which is to primarily help assist government investigating units and agencies in the conduct of inquiries perfunctory to the interest of the state and its constituents by collecting handling and examining pieces of physical evidence which are anchored in the mission of providing technical support services on the same capacity. The concept of a SOCO team may have been borne out of the need for a swift and thorough investigation using the physical evidence to support a hypothesis, theory or supposition from the investigations ‘viewpoint. SOCO is under the Crime Laboratory of the PNP. One of its branch offices is located in Angeles City, in the Province of Pampanga, Philippines. The Problem The proponent used the PNP Angeles City Crime Laboratory (Crime LAB) branch Office as the benchmark for the proposed system with the hope that it will be used and implemented to the entire PNP Organization in the near future.