Objective
The Investigating Officer (IO) shall focus on:
Collection of scientific and legally admissible evidence.
Shifting the deceased/injured to the hospital and ensuring proper medico-legal procedures.
Eliciting the truth behind the commission of the offence.
Prompt identification, arrest, and prosecution of the culprit(s).
Conducting a qualitative, professional, and scientific investigation.
Key Investigation Objectives
Recording statements of blood relatives, eye witnesses, and relevant persons.
Collection of PME Report, FSL Report, DNA Report, and Expert Opinions.
Restoration of peace and public tranquility.
Prevention of recurrence of serious offences through lawful preventive measures against habitual offenders.
I. Registration of FIR and Initial Action
Register the FIR promptly by invoking the appropriate provisions of law.
Ensure that all persons involved in planning, abetment, conspiracy, or execution of the offence are included under appropriate legal provisions.
Ensure that the Express FIR reaches the Jurisdictional Court without delay.
Send copies of the FIR online to all concerned officers immediately.
Hand over a copy of the FIR to the complainant and obtain acknowledgment.
Record the statement of the complainant in the vernacular language.
Mandatory Statement in Part-II Statements
The following statement shall be incorporated:
"I can identify the accused if they are shown to me."
II. Examination of Complainant and Preliminary Investigation
The IO shall thoroughly examine the complainant and establish:
a. Date and time of occurrence.
b. Place of occurrence.
c. Motive for offence.
d. Number of accused and overt acts of each accused.
e. Weapons used.
f. Previous enmity or disputes.
g. Presence of eye witnesses.
h. Number of injured and deceased persons.
i. Particulars of the deceased.
j. Relationship between accused and deceased.
k. Whether death occurred at the scene or in hospital.
The motive and background circumstances shall be clearly established during investigation.
III. Scene of Crime Management
Visit the scene immediately upon receipt of information.
Secure and preserve the Scene of Crime (SOC).
Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude).
Conduct detailed Scene Observation Panchanama.
Prepare Rough Sketch at the crime scene.
Undertake photography and videography from multiple angles.
Fill Crime Detail Forms at the scene itself.
Scientific Examination
The IO shall ensure:
Search for foreign objects.
Collection of blood stains.
Collection of control earth and blood-stained earth.
Lifting and packing of fingerprints.
Collection of footprints and shoe impressions.
Recovery of weapons and physical evidence.
Scientific preservation of all exhibits.
Specialized Assistance
Utilize services of:
Clues Team.
Dog Squad.
Finger Print Bureau.
Forensic Experts.
IV. Examination of Witnesses
Examine eye witnesses immediately.
Record statements in their own handwriting wherever possible.
Conduct preliminary examination before inquest proceedings to avoid contradictions.
Examine:
Blood relatives.
Neighbours.
Circumstantial witnesses.
Persons acquainted with facts of the case.
Maintain regular communication with the victim's family regarding investigation progress.
V. Investigation into Motive
The IO shall investigate possible motives including:
Land disputes.
Family disputes.
Sexual jealousy.
Extra-marital relationships.
Love affairs and love failure.
Long-standing enmity.
Political rivalry.
Faction disputes.
Financial disputes.
Gambling-related conflicts.
Drunken altercations.
Business rivalry.
Gang wars.
Mafia activities.
Rowdy supremacy disputes.
Sudden provocation.
Contract killings (hired gangs).
The real motive and beneficiaries of the offence shall be identified.
VI. Inquest Proceedings
Conduct inquest before public servants and respectable independent witnesses, avoiding stock witnesses.
Carefully record:
Injuries.
Cause and manner of death.
Identity of deceased.
Circumstances surrounding death.
Seizure During Inquest
Seize under Panchanama:
Weapons.
Blood-stained articles.
Clothing.
Personal belongings.
Other incriminating material.
VII. Post-Mortem Examination
Shift the dead body to the Government Hospital immediately.
Send requisition along with police escort.
Furnish complete facts of the case to the Medical Officer.
Obtain:
Post-Mortem Examination (PME) Report.
Final Opinion.
Expert Medical Opinion.
Cite the treating doctor as a prosecution witness where treatment preceded death.
Dying Declaration
Where the injured is in a precarious condition:
Arrange recording of Dying Declaration through:
Magistrate, preferably.
Doctor.
Executive Magistrate.
Investigating Officer, where legally permissible.
VIII. Unknown Dead Body Cases
Where the deceased remains unidentified:
Flash VHF message to all Police Units.
Issue Look-Out Notice.
Publish photographs through:
Print media.
Electronic media.
Police social media platforms.
WhatsApp groups.
Upload details to:
Criminal Intelligence System.
Missing Persons Portals.
Collect:
DNA profile.
Fingerprints.
Other scientific identifiers.
Preserve the body for identification for 72 hours.
Dispose of the body as per prescribed procedure after expiry of the preservation period.
IX. Arrest and Investigation of Accused
Collect Call Detail Records (CDR) and tower location analysis of accused persons.
Arrest accused promptly while complying with legal arrest procedures.
Verify the residential address of the accused personally.
Collect:
Identity proof.
Latest photograph.
Fingerprints.
Interrogation Report.
Family Tree.
Previous criminal history.
Details of involvement in other cases.
X. Recovery Proceedings
Conduct confession and recovery proceedings strictly according to law.
Recovery Panchanama shall be conducted before independent local witnesses.
Recover:
Weapons used.
Blood-stained clothes.
Vehicles.
Communication devices.
Other incriminating articles.
XI. Forensic and Scientific Evidence
Send all exhibits to FSL promptly.
Ensure Viscera is forwarded to FSL and acknowledgment obtained.
Collect:
FSL Report.
DNA Report.
Finger Print Reports.
Biological and Serological Reports.
Other Expert Opinions.
Correlate scientific evidence with witness testimony and motive.
XII. Court Proceedings
The Investigating Officer shall:
Seek Police Custody where necessary.
File applications for:
Remand extension.
Verification of sureties.
Test Identification Parade (TIP).
Ensure proper judicial custody management.
Maintain liaison with the Prosecuting Agency.
Witness Management
The following shall be cited as witnesses wherever relevant:
Eye witnesses.
Recovery witnesses.
Medical Officers.
Clues Team Officers.
Finger Print Experts.
Photographer/Videographer.
Scientific Experts.
The photographer's statement shall include details of equipment used and authentication of photographs.
XIII. Charge Sheet and Trial Management
Prepare Draft Charge Sheet after complete appraisal of evidence.
Obtain opinion of PP/APP.
File Charge Sheet/Final Report through the Prosecuting Officer.
Deposit case property before Court and obtain PI Number.
Ensure proper briefing and production of witnesses.
SHO and IO shall coordinate closely with the prosecution during trial.
Attend Court during examination of:
Complainant.
Key eye witness.
Recovery Panch witness.
Ensure continuous and uninterrupted trial.
XIV. Cases with Unknown Accused
Where accused are unknown:
Analyze:
Family background of deceased.
Social and financial relationships.
Previous disputes.
Mobile phone records.
Associates and rivals.
Develop suspect profiles through:
Technical evidence.
Scientific evidence.
Crime pattern analysis.
Intelligence gathering.
Examine habitual offenders and known criminals operating in the area.
Responsibility of Investigating Officer
The Investigating Officer shall ensure:
Prompt response and scene preservation.
Scientific collection and preservation of evidence.
Proper motive analysis.
Effective identification and arrest of offenders.
Strong coordination with forensic and prosecuting agencies.
Timely filing of Charge Sheet.
Effective prosecution resulting in conviction.
Goal
To establish the truth behind the murder, identify all persons responsible, collect legally sustainable evidence, secure conviction through professional investigation, and maintain public confidence in the criminal justice system.