IMPACT OF LABORATORY FACILITIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OFCOMPETENCIES OF CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS IN CRIMINALISTICS: BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPOSED INSTRUCTIONAL FRAMEWORK IN TEACHING CRIMINALISTICS COURSES

The study sought to evaluate the Criminalistics laboratory components of selected higher educational institutions in the Bicol Region offering the Bachelor of Science in Criminology program. This involved the development of a proposed instructional framework and laboratory operations manual in teaching Criminalistics courses. The focus is on the development of competencies among students in criminalistics subjects through evaluation of laboratory facilities comprising the architecture and infrastructure of the program as well as its components. A quantitative approach was used to analyze the trajectory of instructional framework in teaching with emphasis on the laboratory requirements. Responses of the deans, department heads, administrators, and teachers handling forensic subjects and students were analyzed to clarify and add impetus to the growing need for relevance and responsiveness of selected schools offering the Criminology program through a sustained upgrading and maintenance all laboratory components, its appurtenant supplies, instruments and sets of paraphernalia in response to the quality needs of Criminology students and academic providers. Results revealed that laboratory facilities for Criminalistics courses were inadequate while the hands-on activities were moderately extensive. It was argued that adequate laboratories build relationships between activities that support the mission, vision, and values of the college and enable students to develop their communication skills, demonstrate actions consistent with quality concepts and good professional practice, and coordinate opportunities for promoting the sense of professionalism among the students. Overall, students had relatively low assessments on the adequacy of laboratory facilities and extensiveness of hands-on activities compared to the academic personnel. This demands rehabilitation and procurement of upgraded sets of equipment to encourage more intensive hands-on activities handled by constantly-trained faculty. The proposed Laboratory Operations Manual should also be adopted by Criminology schools.