Article 18 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 18 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الأول: جمع المعلومات وضبطها والتلبس بالجريمة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز لرجل الضبط الجنائي - من أجل تحرير المحضر وفقاً للمادة (الثانية والثلاثين) من النظام - أن يحول دون إسعاف المصابين في مكان وقوع الجريمة.
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 18 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations sets a clear humanitarian rule at the scene of the crime: the criminal investigation officer may not obstruct first aid to the injured.
The text links this prohibition to drawing up the record under Article 32 of the Criminal Procedure Law, meaning that the need to prepare the record or preserve the condition of the place does not justify preventing or delaying first aid to the injured person.
The practical meaning:
- The life and safety of the injured person take precedence over the requirements of preparing the record.
- The officer has no power to prevent paramedics from reaching the injured person or moving him on the pretext that the record is not complete.
The article does not address how to reconcile first aid with preserving the traces of the crime; it is limited to preventing obstruction of first aid. This connects to Article 16 of the Regulations, which regulates the record the officer draws up when he goes to the scene of the crime and the description of the place and the crime in it.
This article comes between Article 17 on waiving the private right and Article 19 on sufficient evidence for arrest. Anyone harmed by being prevented from receiving first aid, or a relative of his, at a crime scene may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A brawl occurred in a district of Jeddah in which a person was wounded, and the criminal investigation officer arrived to draw up the record at the same time as the ambulance. He may not prevent the paramedics from giving first aid to the injured person until he finishes his record.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 18 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
May the police prevent first aid to an injured person until the record is finished?
No. The article provides that the criminal investigation officer may not, for the purpose of drawing up the record, obstruct first aid to the injured at the scene of the crime.
Which record is meant in this article?
The record that the criminal investigation officer draws up under Article 32 of the Law.
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 16
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.
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 الإجرا
- 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.