February 28 to March 2, 2025- The Forensic Science Certification Training Course was initiated and organized by the Forensic Science Practitioners of the Philippines, Inc. (FSPPI) which occurred at Paulino’s, Lamtang, La Trinidad, Benguet. The training course covered specialization training on Forensic Ballistics, Forensic Dactyloscopy ft. GMS Fingerprint System and Forensic Chemistry with free specialization on Forensic Photography and special topics on Laboratory Rules and Custodian Responsibilities. The training course aimed to enrich the knowledge and skills of participants and would-be members.

The seminar was attended by two (2) representatives from the Baguio Central University – College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), led by OIC Dean Beca May Pidlao-Palitayan. The attendees were Mr. Ranty M. Pao-eng, RCrim, a full-time faculty member, and Ms. Faye Jamaica D. Carino, RCrim, the Crime Laboratory Custodian.

 Since the training course offered different specializations, the BCU CCJE representatives attended different specializations. Mr. Ranty M. Pao-eng attended specialization on Forensic Ballistics and Forensic Photography while Ms. Faye Jamiaca D. Carino, attended a specialization on Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Photography. Furthermore, the three (3) days training course was attended by 21 participants in total, coming from different universities and colleges in the Philippines.

On the first day of training (February 28, 2025), the FSPPI board of directors oriented the participants with regards to the Forensic Science Practitioners of the Philippines, Inc. (FSPPI)’s vision, mission, objectives, standards, memberships, trainings and services offered since as part of the inclusion of the training, the participants will be considered members once they complete the 3 days training. After the said orientation, the trainers started the training with the lectures on Laws and Principles of Forensic Science, Digitalization in Forensic Science in Practice, the Introduction of GMS Fingerprinting System, Laboratory Rules, Safety and Custodian Responsibilities, the application of ACE-V method on Forensic Evidence and Examinations, Forensic Report Writing and Examination Result Presentation, and Forensic Photography: Application to investigation and Forensic Science.

The second day of training (March 1, 2025) started with a lecture covering the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions being presented by PCol Adelene Maghinay Florendo (Ret) MAeD, RCrim. Afterwards, the break-out session and practical occurred wherein the participants moved to their respective specialization of choice. On the beak-out session, 8 participants attended specialization on Forensic Ballistics, 5 participants attended specialization on Forensic Chemistry, and 8 participants attended specialization on Forensic Dactyloscopy. During the break-out session, the forensic specialists such as: Dr. Miller F. Peckley (forensic Ballistics); Ms. Frances Jane Peckley – Cebuco (Forensic Chemistry); and Dr. Godyson B. Dolfo (Forensic Dactyloscopy) provides lectures and handles practical activities on each specialization. As part of the final output of the break-out session, there would be a mock-court presentation to defense the outputs. With this regard, the participants under Forensic Ballistics and Forensic Dactyloscopy since they have 8 members each, they were then sub-divided into 2 grouping having 4 members to represent the prosecution and defense during the mock-court presentation. While the Forensic Chemistry group, since there were only 5 participants, will just be presenting their out-put as a group during mock-court presentation.

The third day of training (March 2, 2025) started with a praise and worship led by Dr. Miller F. Peckley. After such, Atty Recson Bangibang had the final lecture on what is an expert witness and court presentation. On the afternoon session, the mock-court presentation (presentation and Defense of Output) occurred. On the presentation, it was done by specialization following these order: 1^st) Forensic Ballistics; 2^nd) Forensic Dactyloscopy; and 3^rd) Forensic Chemistry. On each group, in every specialization, only one will be presenting their respective outputs. In this, one participant from our university, Mr. Ranty M. Pao-eng, stand as the lead of the defense team in Forensic Ballistics specialization countering the claims and arguments of the prosecution group.

Lastly, the two participants (Mr. Ranty M. Pao-eng and Ms. Faye Jamaica D. Carino) coming from the Baguio Central University were awarded various certificates for the completion of Forensic Science Certification Training Course. The two have received Certificate of Appearance, Certificate of Completion, Certificate of Membership (as Professional Member of FSPPI), and Academic Transcript. Furthermore, Ms. Jamaica D. Carino has been declared as Certified Forensic Photography Practitioner and Certified Forensic Chemistry Practitioner. On the other hand, Mr. Ranty M. Pao-eng has been declared as Certified Forensic Photography Practitioner and Certified Forensic Ballistics Practitioner.

“This enhances our academic expertise, which we can impart to our students,” stated Ms. Carino during a debriefing interview with OIC-Dean Beca Palitayan.