Section 112 · Paragraph 107. Duties of Investigating Officer

The investigating officer should not consider himself merely a clerk recording evidence. It is his duty to observe and infer. In every case, he will use his special knowledge of the scene of the crime and the general circumstances to examine the testimony of witnesses, and in every case where the culprit is unknown, he will determine the direction in which he will search for him. He should study the modus operandi of local criminals, known to the local police, in order to identify their handiwork and be cautious against believing the suspicions of witnesses and complainants that are contrary to the obvious inferences drawn from the facts. He must remember that his duty is to ascertain the truth, not merely to secure a conviction. In them, he should not form any view of the facts in favour of or against any person and although he should not go out of his way to look for evidence for the defence in a case in which he has satisfactory reasons to believe that the accused is guilty, he should always give the accused an opportunity to produce evidence before him and, if produced, should carefully consider such evidence. In cases of burglary, the investigation should be conducted in accordance with the special orders given on the subject.