Article 16 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 16 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الأول: جمع المعلومات وضبطها والتلبس بالجريمة
The article sets the contents of the officer's record on going to the scene of the crime, requires him to show his identity, and regulates acting outside his jurisdiction, informing the Authority and continuing inquiries.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1 - يقوم رجـل الضبط الجنائي - عند الانتقال إلى مكان وقوع الجريمة بحسب المادة (السابعة والعشرين) من النظام - بتحرير محضر يشتمل على ما يأتي:
أ) تاريخ اتخاذ الإجراء ووقته ومكانه.
ب) وصف المكان والجريمة وصفاً بيناً.
ج) حصر الأشياء المضبوطة ووصفها.
د) توقيع كل من نُسبت إليه أقوال أو إفادات.
هـ) توقيع القائم بالإجراء من رجال الضبط الجنائي، ومن شاركه من معاونيه.
2 - على رجل الضبط الجنائي أن يبرز ما يثبت شخصيته وصفته عند مباشرة اختصاصه وفقاً للنظام واللائحة، فإذا كان عسكرياً مرتدياً لزيه العسكري فيكتفى بذلك.
3 - لرجل الضبط الجنائي - إذا دعت الحاجة - مباشرة مهماته خارج اختصاصه المكاني متى كان ذلك بصدد واقعة تجري مباشرة الإجراءات الاستدلالية فيها.
4 - يجب أن يتضمن إبلاغ رجل الضبط الجنائي للهيئة عن وقوع جريمة بياناً موجزاً عنها، وزمان حدوثها، ومكانها، وإذا ظهر للهيئة تأخر الإبلاغ؛ فلها أن تقوم بالبحث عن سبب ذلك.
5 - قيام الهيئة بأي إجراء من إجراءات التحقيق في الجريمة لا يمنع رجل الضبط الجنائي من القيام بواجباته في جمع التحريات، والاستدلالات، والإيضاحات اللازمة، وتحاط الهيئة بذلك، ويُحرَّر بنتائج ذلك محضر يبعث إلى الهيئة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 16 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations governs a number of duties of the criminal investigation officer at the information-gathering stage:
- Record of going to the scene of the crime: when he goes there under Article 27 of the Law, he draws up a record containing: the date, time and place of the procedure, a clear description of the place and the crime, an inventory and description of the items seized, the signature of each person to whom statements or testimony is attributed, and the signature of the person carrying out the procedure and of those who assisted him.
- Proof of identity: he must show what proves his identity and capacity when exercising his competence, and if he is a military man wearing his military uniform, that is sufficient.
- Working outside his territorial jurisdiction: where need arises he may carry out his tasks outside his territorial jurisdiction, provided this is in connection with an incident in which evidence-gathering procedures are being carried out.
- Informing the Authority: his notification to the Authority of the occurrence of a crime must include a brief statement about it and its time and place, and if it appears to the Authority that the notification was late, it may look into the reason.
- Continuing inquiries: the Authority's taking of any investigation step does not prevent him from collecting the necessary inquiries, evidence and clarifications, while keeping the Authority informed and drawing up a record of the results and sending it to it.
This article complements Article 15 on accepting reports. The signature on the record of the person to whom statements are attributed is a guarantee of the accuracy of what was recorded from him, so anyone asked to sign should read what was written. For any question about the validity of a record in a particular case, one may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A burglary occurred at a shop in Dammam, and the criminal investigation officer went to the scene and showed his identity to those present because he was in civilian clothes. He drew up a record stating the date, time and place and describing the shop and what he seized, which was signed by the shop owner who gave his statement, then informed the Authority with a brief statement of the incident.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 16 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
What does the criminal investigation officer's record at the scene of the crime contain?
The date, time and place, a description of the place and the crime, an inventory and description of the seized items, the signature of whoever statements are attributed to, and the signature of the person carrying out the procedure and his assistants.
Must the criminal investigation officer show his identity?
Yes. He must show what proves his identity and capacity, and a military uniform is sufficient if he is a military man wearing it.
Can the criminal investigation officer work outside his area?
Yes, where need arises, provided it is in connection with an incident in which evidence-gathering procedures are being carried out.
More articles on Criminal Seizure and Arresting the Accused
- Article 12
The article clarifies that the competent body referred to in Article 25 of the Law is the body to which the criminal investigation officer belongs.
الجهة المختصة المشار إليها في المادة (الخامسة والعشرين) من النظام هي الجهة التي يتبع لها رجل الضبط الجنائي.
- Article 13
The article explains that criminal investigation work under paragraph 2 of Article 26 of the Law is carried out by police directors as well as the individuals and persons assigned to assist them.
يقوم بأعمال الضبط الجنائي - وفقاً لما ورد في الفقرة (2) من المادة (السادسة والعشرين) من النظام - بالإضافة إلى مديري الشرط، الأفراد والأشخاص المكلفون بمعاونتهم.
- Article 14
The article allows the criminal investigation officer to seek the help of other public authority personnel whenever the matter requires it during the performance of his duties.
لرجل الضبط الجنائي - في سبيل قيامه بواجباته - أن يستعين بغيره من رجال السلطة العامة متى اقتضى الأمر ذلك.
- Article 15
The article requires criminal investigation officers to accept reports and complaints in all crimes, oral or written, from a known or unknown source, and regulates referral and the register of reports.
1- يقبل رجال الضبط الجنائي - كل بحسب اختصاصه - البلاغات والشكاوى في جميع الجرائم، سواء كانت مشافهة، أو كتابة، معلومة المصدر أو مجهولته. 2 - إذا قُدم البلاغ أو ا
- Article 18
The article prevents the criminal investigation officer from obstructing first aid to the injured at the scene of the crime on the pretext of drawing up the record under Article 32 of the Law.
لا يجوز لرجل الضبط الجنائي - من أجل تحرير المحضر وفقاً للمادة (الثانية والثلاثين) من النظام - أن يحول دون إسعاف المصابين في مكان وقوع الجريمة.
- Article 19
The article defines the sufficient evidence in Article 33 of the Law as strong indications and signs assessed by the officer, and sets the contents of the memorandum informing the Authority of arresting a person caught in the act.
1- الدلائل الكافية المشار إليها في المادة (الثالثة والثلاثين) من النظام هي العلامات الخارجية من قرائن وأمارات قوية تسوِّغ وضع الشخص في دائرة الاتهام، ويخضع تقدي
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.