EVALUATING CRIME SCENE PRESERVATION: COMPETENCY AND CHALLENGES OF BARANGAY FIRST RESPONDERS

Crime scene preservation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of investigations, particularly at the barangay level, where initial response affects evidence management. This study evaluates the competency of Barangay Security Force (BSF) members in both crime scene preservation and first responder duties, and compares the challenges they face with those of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the main law enforcement agency. The research identifies training gaps, unclear job descriptions, and operational readiness concerns among barangay responders that may influence judicial outcomes and community safety. The study used an explanatory mixed methods approach with a sequential design. First, the research gathered and analyzed quantitative data to assess competency levels. Then, qualitative analysis was used to interpret the statistical results. The findings show that BSF members have low competency in crime scene preservation and first response tasks, mainly due to insufficient training, limited equipment, and unclear role definitions. In contrast, Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel show much higher proficiency, highlighting a performance gap between official and auxiliary responders. BSF members also face further challenges, such as a lack of standardized training, limited legal authority, inadequate resources, and operational constraints within barangays. The study finds a gap in performance between BSF and PNP personnel. This creates risks for initial crime scene actions, especially with preserving evidence. Fixing these issues needs a structured program to improve BSF skills. The study proposes an Enhancement Program for BSF Competencies on Crime Scene Preservation as a focused solution for barangay units and agencies to adopt. Keywords: Barangay Security Force (BSF), Philippine National Police (PNP), crime scene preservation, first responder competency, explanatory mixed methods