Criminal investigation
What is Criminal investigation?
It the processes of collecting information and evidences for
identification apprehension and conviction of an offender in a
criminal case.
In simple words it is a method to find the answers of questions such
as Who, what when where why and how regarding a crime.
What are qualities of good investigator?
Have an active mind.
Communication and Interview Skills
Interviews are often the cornerstone of any investigation.
Investigators must interview the client or victim, witnesses and
suspects. The investigator must ask clear questions and extract as
much detail as possible. In addition, the investigator must recognize
discrepancies and gaps in any story and ask questions to clarify the
information. The investigator must also be a good listener, including
reading body language and recognizing when a witness may be
lying or withholding information.
Control Emotions
Investigators must be able to control their emotions. In many cases,
the investigator may deal with issues that make her angry; however,
expressing this anger can harm the case and cause witnesses to
withhold information. In addition, the investigator must show
empathy to victims and clients and create a safe environment for
them to share important details.
Honesty and Ethics
Investigators must be honest, ethical and law abiding. If an
investigator is caught lying or using unethical methods of
investigation, he loses credibility and potentially his job. This is a
problem if the case goes to court and may prevent the suspect from
being convicted.
Technical Skills and Knowledge
Investigators often use technology to assist in their investigations.
Equipment varies based on the type of investigation and the firm or
agency the investigator is working for. It may include surveillance
equipment and equipment to analyze evidence such as fingerprints.
Knowledge of the Law substantive and
procedural.
Investigators must know the laws surrounding the case. For
example, when looking into a corporation, an investigator may find
the company is doing something ethically questionable, but not
illegal. In addition, investigators must know what they are legally
allowed to do in the course of their research. Otherwise, evidence
they gather may not be admissible in court and the investigator may
face legal prosecution.
Strong Commonsense Analytical Mindset
The ability to use both inductive and deductive reasoning
In order to piece together the evidence and witness statements
obtained during an investigation, the investigator must be a good
problem solver. In many cases, witness statements will be
contradictory, so the investigator must use critical thinking and
problem solving skills to figure out what really happened in a case.
Critical thinking skills also allow the investigator to look past the
obvious solutions and analyze evidence objectively.
Be a good judge of human psychology
Research skills are critical in many investigations. The investigator
must often look into the background and activities of victims,
witnesses and suspects.
How the process of criminal
investigation is started in Pakistan?
In Pakistan the main source of criminal investigation is police.
After police order 2002 there is a separate wing in police station
called investigation wing which initiate the investigation process.
The investigation process starts when police stations are contacted
by victim, or some police official, councilor or a community headman
or watchman. Private Citizens can also lodge the report of the
occurrence of a crime in a locality or phone call .
If the offence or crime is cognizable means a crime of serious nature
the police officer lodges an FIR under section 154 Cr.P.C and starts
the investigation
If the offence is non cognizable a report is written in a separate book
and a permission is obtained from the magistrate for the proceeding
of investigation such as warrant to arrest the offender or suspect.
What are the major steps involved in
criminal investigation?
The investigation process starts when police stations are contacted
by victim, or some police official, councilor or a community headman
or watchman. Private Citizens can also lodge the report of the
occurrence of a crime in a locality or phone call .
If the offence or crime is cognizable means a crime of serious nature
the police officer lodges an FIR under section 154 Cr.P.C and starts
the investigation
If the offence is non cognizable a report is written in a separate book
and a permission is obtained from the magistrate for the proceeding
of investigation such as warrant to arrest the offender or suspect.
1. Investigation officer or team proceeds to crime scene
2. Save the crime scene
3. Memorizes and note the facts and circumstances of crime
scene
4. Find and collects the evidence at crime scene
5. Get the statements of witnesses at the crime scene
6. Tries to discover the suspect or offender if arrested then
produce it in the court within 24 hours and get the physical
remand for further investigation.
7. Prepare a complete report about crime which is called Challan
and submits it in the court through prosecution department.
What are the major flaws in
investigation process in Pakistan?
1. It is common practice to avoid the registration of FIR by a
station head officer in order to show the low crime rate in its
area.If it is unavoidable due to political departmental or some
other type of pressure the nature of FIR may be changed e.g
dacoit to theft
2. It is also a common practice to exaggerate the FIR with more
and more persons as accused due to following reasons. It is
a tradition in our society that complainant tries to nominate
maximum persons in FIR so that no one can be left to pursue
the defense of accused. When the case is sent to court then it
becomes a complex task for court to decide right decision
timely.
3. When FIR has lodged the arrest are made and police arrests
many persons by using its discretionary powers under section
54 and 169 of Cr.P.C especially in serious crimes. These section
empower the police to arrest t a person in case on the basis of
doubts without solid reason .our CR.P.C also empower to
release a person against which sufficient evidences are not
available. These discretionary powers are misused by corrupt
officers for their vested interests
4. Raids are conducted to arrest the offenders but if the offender
could not be arrested his relatives are either arrested or
harassed.
5. When an arrested person arrives at police station for
investigation he is welcomed with disgraceful manner either he
is guilty or not.
6. scarcity of funds and facilities such as transport, human power
and scientific laboratories
7. Outdated techniques and technologies are used in
investigation. A single investigator investigates all type of
crime such as blind murder ,plastic money frauds ,dacoity ,act
of terrorism and other organized crime .
8. Absence of resources which are very fruitful and helpful for the
identification of right offender such as veri-system ,call tracing
system and CDR system.
9. Lack of trainings on modern and scientific basis that leads to
poor and delayed investigation which in turn lead to the wrong
decision and convictions
10. Criminal and police station records are not computerized
and archived with traditional manual methods.
11. Outdated techniques and technologies are used in
investigation. A single investigator investigates all type of
crime such as blind murder ,plastic money frauds ,dacoity ,act
of terrorism and other organized crime .
12. Absence of resources which are very fruitful and helpful
for the identification of right offender such as veri-system ,call
tracing system and CDR system.
Suggestions
13. Criminal investigation is the prime responsibility of Police
and the these suggestion can improve the efficacy of this
department
14. The funding should be increased in order to make this
department fully functional in true sense.
15. Modern equipments and facilities should be provided at
Thana level such as very-sys stem call tracing and CDR system
.Scientific labs and crime scene units equipped with modern
devices should be established at district level and IO should be
trained on modern and scientific basis .
16. There is a need to establish investigation team to
investigate complex and different nature of crimes .we have to
leave the old practices of investigation where a single
investigator investigates all types of crimes.
17. FIR and complains should be registered timely and
transparently without any pressure and interest. In this regard
there must be a proper liaison between police and prosecution
department.
18. Corrupt element must be eliminated For this purpose
services from other intelligence agencies can be hired.
19. Records of complain and FIR should be computerized and
make it public on the internet.
