Objective
The Investigating Officers (IOs) shall focus on:
Speedy recovery of stolen property.
Restoration of recovered property to the rightful owners through due legal process.
Conducting a qualitative, scientific, and professional investigation leading to successful detection and conviction.
I. Registration of FIR and Initial Action
Register the FIR immediately by applying the appropriate provisions of law.
Ensure that the FIR contains:
Complete description of stolen property.
Description of ornaments, valuables, cash, and other articles lost.
Time and place of occurrence.
The following statement shall be incorporated in every property offence FIR:
"I can identify the property if it is shown to me."
Hand over a copy of the FIR to the complainant and obtain acknowledgment.
Send the original FIR to the Court without delay.
Forward copies of the FIR online to all concerned officers.
Flash a VHF message to all Police Stations through the Commissionerate/Control Room for immediate alert.
II. Scene of Crime Management
Visit the scene of offence immediately.
Secure and preserve the crime scene.
Utilize the services of:
Clues Team.
Finger Print Bureau.
Dog Squad, wherever required.
Secure two independent mediators for conducting a detailed Scene Observation Panchanama.
Draw a Rough Sketch of the scene showing:
Point of entry.
Point of exit.
Position of articles disturbed.
Location of evidence recovered.
Record Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude) of the crime scene.
Seize all incriminating articles and trace evidence found at the scene.
III. Scientific Examination of Scene
Obtain finger prints from:
Doors.
Windows.
Almirahs.
Lockers.
Other touched surfaces.
Obtain elimination finger prints of the inmates and authorized occupants.
Collect and preserve:
Footprints.
Tool marks.
Fingerprints.
Hair, fibres, and other trace evidence.
Cigarette butts.
Food remnants.
Candles or lighting materials.
Any other evidence left behind.
Collect and preserve CCTV footage from:
Nearby houses.
Commercial establishments.
Streets and roads.
Community surveillance systems.
Obtain Tower Dump Data from:
Crime scene location.
Probable entry and exit routes.
Other suspicious locations.
IV. Examination of Victims and Witnesses
Examination of Inmates
Examine inmates thoroughly regarding:
Property stolen.
Estimated value.
Last time property was seen.
Knowledge of suspects.
Security arrangements of the house.
Means of access and vulnerability.
Examination of Witnesses
Examine:
Neighbours.
Security guards.
Local residents.
Shopkeepers.
Other relevant persons.
Record statements promptly, as local witnesses can later assist in refreshing memory during trial.
Incorporate all witness details in the Case Diary Statements (CDS).
V. Modus Operandi (MO) Analysis
The Investigating Officer shall carefully study the Modus Operandi (MO) adopted by offenders, including:
Methods of Entry
Breaking open main door locks.
Breaking hooks, latches, or bolts.
Wrenching window bars.
Entry through ventilators.
Use of duplicate or false keys.
Entry through manholes.
Entry through rooftops.
Breaking window panes.
Breaking rear doors.
Removing wooden planks of doors.
Use of implements available at the scene.
Behavioural Indicators
Theft of only cash.
Theft of only gold ornaments.
Theft of electronic items.
Theft of food grains or household articles.
Use of candles or lighting devices.
Leaving behind identifiable evidence.
The Scene Observation Panchanama shall clearly reflect all MO characteristics observed.
VI. Identification of Suspects
Obtain the list of known MO criminals from Police records.
Verify their possible involvement.
Upload suspect details through authorized channels.
Upload photographs of suspects in:
Criminal Intelligence System.
Authorized Police databases.
Show photographs/albums of known offenders to the complainant and witnesses.
Coordinate with:
Neighboring Police Stations.
Crime Teams.
CCS Teams.
Exchange intelligence regarding similar offences.
VII. Verification of Receivers and Disposal Channels
Verify:
Regular receivers of stolen property.
Pawn brokers.
Gold buyers.
Money lending establishments.
Scrap dealers.
Jewellery shops.
Maintain surveillance on suspected receivers.
Collect transaction records wherever necessary.
VIII. Arrest and Investigation of Accused
Upon arrest of the accused:
Personally verify the residential address of the accused.
Collect valid identity proof.
Obtain:
Latest photograph.
Fingerprints.
Interrogation Report.
Family Tree.
One-year Call Detail Records (CDR), wherever legally obtained.
Previous criminal history and involvement.
Investigate links with:
Other offenders.
Receivers.
Similar offences.
IX. Recovery Proceedings
Conduct confession and recovery proceedings strictly as per law.
Recovery Panchanama shall be conducted in the presence of independent local witnesses rather than stock panch witnesses.
Recover stolen property and seize it under proper Panchanama.
Action Against Receivers
Arrest receivers found in possession of stolen property.
Invoke appropriate legal provisions, including Section 411 IPC/BNS equivalent provisions wherever applicable.
Investigate their involvement in other property offences.
X. Court Proceedings
The Investigating Officer shall take the following legal steps through the Public Prosecutor (PP)/Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP):
Seek Police Custody of the accused.
File memo for remand extension wherever necessary.
Seek verification of sureties.
Request Test Identification Parade (TIP).
Obtain PT Warrants where required.
Take all legal measures necessary to strengthen prosecution.
XI. Property Management
Deposit all recovered property before the Court immediately.
Obtain Property Identification (PI) Number.
Maintain complete chain-of-custody records.
Assist and guide the complainant regarding legal procedures for return of property.
XII. Charge Sheet and Final Report
Prepare a Draft Charge Sheet after completion of investigation.
Obtain legal opinion from PP/APP wherever required.
Ensure inclusion of:
Witness statements.
Scientific evidence.
Fingerprint reports.
CCTV evidence.
Recovery proceedings.
MO analysis.
Previous criminal history of accused.
Submit Charge Sheet/Final Report within the stipulated time.
Responsibility of Investigating Officer
The Investigating Officer shall ensure:
Prompt response and scene preservation.
Scientific collection and preservation of evidence.
Effective identification and arrest of offenders.
Speedy recovery and restoration of stolen property.
Coordination with specialized units.
Strong prosecution resulting in conviction.
Goal
To detect house breaking offences promptly, recover stolen property, identify and prosecute offenders through scientific investigation, and ensure restoration of property to victims in accordance with law.