Introduction & Definition of Investigation

we shall understand investigation of crime and its existence in human society. First, I would
like to explain the existence of crime. The history of crime dates back to ancient times. It
arises with the origin of human society and his culture. When we turn the pages of history, we
could find that there are tremendous evidences, which support this fact. In social science, it is
stated a cultural universal. So friends, for making peace in the society, there is certain laws,
agencies, formal governments- made rules and regulation that can be obeyed or disobeyed. If
someone breaks these rules and regulations who will be penalized by court on the basis of
investigation.

Let’s start with criminal investigation. So guys, before jumping to criminal investigation, we
have to understand the term investigation. Investigation term is derived from Latin word
“investigare” which means “to trace out” or “to search into”. Investigation means to collect
all the facts & evidence which will help in the determination of victim, suspect, objective of
crime, modus operandi of crime, and which all elements are necessary to convict the
criminal. In brief, the main objective of investigation is to collect various type of evidence for
the purpose of any inquiry or trial. The process of investigation can be different in civil as
well as criminal cases. However, investigation is a primary step, which is conducted by the
investigative agencies, which may be police; CBI, CID & other agencies, and it usually starts
after lodging the First Information Report (FIR) in the police station. FIR deals with the
section 154-155 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). If the officer-in-charge of a police
station suspects the commission of an offence from statement of FIR or when the magistrate
directs or otherwise, the officer or any subordinate officer is duty-bound to proceed to the
spot to investigate the facts and circumstances of the case and if necessary, take measures for
the discovery and arrest of the offender.
Investigation primarily consists of ascertaining facts and circumstances of the case. It
includes:
(1) Searching of scene of crime;
(2) Collection of evidence;
(3) Gathering of facts and information;
(4) Preserve and security of scene of crime;
(5) Discovery of any article or object used for the commission of the crime;
(6) Interrogation and examination of various persons including the accused and taking of
their statements in writing;
 (7) Arrest of the suspected offender;
So, dear students, here for the sake of simplicity, Criminal investigation can be carried out in
various types of crimes such as-
1. Warrant case
2. Summons case
3. Bailable offences
4. Non-bailable offences
5. Cognizable offences
6. Non-cognizable offences
All type of cases can have slightly different type of steps but they are almost same.
Investigation mainly consists of ascertaining facts and circumstances of the case. It includes:
1. To search the scene of crime whether it is indoor, outdoor, and mobile or primary and
secondary.
2. The recognition, preservation, collection, labelling and handling, and transportation of
physical evidences.
3. To gather the information about facts and circumstances.
4. Identification of victim.
5. Recognition and arrest of the suspected offender.
6. Searching of crime committed article or object.
7. Establish link between scene of crime, victim and suspect.
Victim

Scene of Crime Suspect

Fig. Linkage between Victim, Scene of Crime and Suspect