LAHORE, Nov 27: In what seems to be a first-ever step in Punjab police, a two-week refresher investigation course involving detailed lectures by members of judiciary, prosecution, legal fraternity and police is currently being held by Nankana police to improve investigation skills of investigation officers and conviction rate in an attempt to lessen grievances of complainants.
Punjab has discouraging conviction ratio of around 25 per cent in crime against property and around 32 per cent in crime against persons (murders and kidnappings for ransom).
The ratio estimates have been obtained from the investigation branch of the Central Police Office which doesn`t have the cumulative ratio of convictions in crime against persons and property.
The course, which has been taking place since Nov 24, aims to educate investigating officers about the modern day needs, pinpoint procedural flaws in investigation methods and improve ratio of complete challan and conviction to minimize grievances of complainants.
The course also aims to bridge a `widening` gap between the judiciary and police because of serious flaws in the investigation process.
The course being held on the initiative of Nankana District Police Officer Dr Haider Ashraf is the first of its kind in the history of Punjab police as no such courses also involving question and answer sessions between IOs and speakers were ever held earlier.
The DPO, in his written correspondence with guest speakers, highlights that some IOs, who are not aware of the art of investigation because of lack of experience and knowledge, help the accused acquitted honorably from cases during the trial which further aggravate the sufferings of complainants.
He urged his guests to participate in the course and share their experiences with the IOs in interactive sessions.
The lectures are being delivered to 20 IOs in the first phase by the Nankana district and sessions judge, a couple of additional district and sessions judges, civil judges/judicial magistrates, district prosecutor and deputy prosecutors, Nankana District Bar Association president, DHQ Hospital medical superintendent and police officers concerned.
All 150 IOs will be participating in the refresher course in different phases.
The subjects include the basic method of registration of an FIR and identification of flaws; procedure of starting investigation of a case (examination of crime scene, crime scene mapping, recovery of property, open and close points, legal status of joint and single recovery and other factors); necessary documents for post-mortem report and MLC and related important matters; procedure for recording statement under Section 161 of Criminal Procedure Code and generating other evidences; procedure for compiling case properties; procedure for covering crime scene and existing flaws; procedure of transfer of accused from other district and legal assistance; identification of technical evidence and multiple flaws in investigation; procedure to record evidence and legal status of recording supplementary statement under Sections 161 and 164 of Cr.PC; procedure of action against proclaimed offenders (from outside districts) under Section 88 of Cr.PC; legal hitches in the investigation of crime against person; legal hurdles in the investigation of crime against property; lacunas in the investigation of crime under local and special laws; method of tracing snatched vehicles; method of tracing suspects from call data; method of identification parade of accused and importance of timely action in crime prevention; method of preparing a report under Section 173 of Criminal Procedure Code; and coordination and cooperation between police and lawyers.
(Daily Dawn)
********