Objective
The Investigating Officers (IOs) shall focus on:
Speedy disposal of cases.
Eliciting the truth regarding negligence, rashness, defect in road engineering, mechanical failure, or accident due to natural causes.
Conducting a qualitative, scientific, and professional investigation.
I. Registration and Immediate Action
Register the FIR promptly upon receipt of information regarding the road accident.
Send copies of the FIR to all concerned officers without delay.
If the injured person approaches the Police Station, immediately shift him/her to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.
Examine the complainant/injured person and record a detailed statement, including:
Full name
Address
Mobile number
Details of the occurrence
II. Scene of Accident Management
Visit the scene of occurrence immediately.
Secure and protect the accident scene.
Conduct photography and videography of:
Accident scene
Vehicles involved
Victims
Road conditions
Traffic signs and signals
Conduct Scene Observation Panchanama.
Prepare a Rough Sketch indicating:
Direction of movement of vehicles
Position of vehicles
Point of impact
Skid marks
Road features
Traffic control devices
Collect Geo-location coordinates (Latitude and Longitude) of the accident spot.
Examine eye-witnesses and circumstantial witnesses at the scene itself.
III. Collection of Physical and Documentary Evidence
Physical Evidence
The IO shall collect and preserve:
Skid marks and tyre impressions.
Broken glass pieces.
Vehicle debris.
Number plate fragments.
Paint transfer evidence.
CCTV footage from nearby locations.
Dashcam footage, if available.
Any other material connected with the accident.
Documentary Evidence
Collect the following documents relating to the offending vehicle:
Driving Licence (DL).
Registration Certificate (RC).
Insurance Policy.
Permit.
Fitness Certificate.
Trip Sheet.
In Case of RTC Vehicles
Collect Log Sheet.
Examine RTC Controller.
Record statements of concerned RTC officials.
IV. Examination of Witnesses
The following persons shall be examined and their statements recorded:
Injured persons.
Eye-witnesses.
Circumstantial witnesses.
Owner of the vehicle.
Driver of the vehicle.
RTC Controller (where applicable).
Other persons having knowledge of the incident.
Details of all witnesses shall be incorporated in the Case Diary Statements (CDS).
V. Vehicle Inspection
Arrange inspection of all involved vehicles through:
Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI), or
Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector (AMVI).
Obtain MVI Report without delay.
Determine:
Mechanical defects.
Brake failure.
Steering defects.
Tyre condition.
Other contributory mechanical causes.
VI. Fatal Accident Investigation
Inquest Proceedings
Conduct inquest over the dead body in the presence of local Panchayatdars.
Record observations regarding:
Identity of deceased.
Nature of injuries.
Apparent cause of death.
Circumstances of accident.
Post-Mortem Examination
Send the dead body to the Government Hospital for Post-Mortem Examination (PME) with proper requisition.
Ensure all relevant facts are communicated to the Medical Officer.
Seizure During Inquest
The following shall be seized under Panchanama:
Clothes worn by the deceased.
Ornaments.
Personal belongings.
Other relevant articles.
VII. Arrest and Legal Action
Identify the accused driver promptly.
Arrest the accused wherever legally warranted.
Strictly comply with provisions relating to:
Notice under Section 41 CrPC/BNSS provisions.
Arrest guidelines issued by Courts and Government.
Record all legal procedures properly in the Case Diary.
VIII. Forensic and Expert Evidence
Send seized material objects to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), wherever required.
Obtain:
PME Report.
MVI Report.
FSL Report.
DNA Report (where necessary).
Expert Opinions.
Correlate scientific evidence with witness statements and scene evidence.
IX. Unknown Dead Body Cases
In cases where the deceased remains unidentified:
Flash VHF message to all Police Units.
Issue Look-Out Notice.
Publish photographs and particulars through:
Electronic media.
Print media.
Social media platforms.
Police WhatsApp groups.
Upload photographs and details in:
Criminal Intelligence System.
Other prescribed databases.
Obtain DNA profile and fingerprint data.
Preserve the dead body for identification for 72 hours.
After expiry of 72 hours, dispose of the body as per prescribed procedure if unclaimed.
X. Determination of Cause of Accident
The IO shall thoroughly investigate and determine whether the accident occurred due to:
Rash and negligent driving.
Mechanical failure.
Road engineering defects.
Environmental or weather conditions.
Human error.
Violation of traffic regulations.
Any other contributory factor.
XI. Closure Procedure
Serve notice to the complainant before closure of the case.
Submit a detailed proposal to the ACP/Competent Authority seeking permission for closure.
Complete all pending investigation requirements.
Submit Final Report/Charge Sheet within the stipulated period.
Ensure proper maintenance of all records, reports, photographs, sketches, and material evidence details.
Responsibility of Investigating Officer
The Investigating Officer shall ensure:
Prompt medical assistance to victims.
Scientific collection of evidence.
Fair, impartial, and professional investigation.
Timely completion of investigation.
Compliance with legal provisions and departmental instructions.
Identification of the actual cause and responsibility for the accident.
Goal
To ascertain the true cause of the road accident and establish responsibility through a lawful, scientific, and evidence-based investigation while ensuring speedy disposal of cases.