Article 54 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 54 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثالث: الانتقال والمعاينة والتفتيش وضبط الأشياء المتعلقة بالجريمة
The article makes inspecting the crime scene the investigator's own task, with the option of delegating a criminal investigation officer, directs forensic experts to lift traces, and allows re-inspection with reasons.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يباشر المحقق معاينة مكان وقوع الجريمة بنفسه، وله ندب أحد رجال الضبط الجنائي لمباشرة تلك المعاينة، مع مراعاة الأحكام الخاصة بالندب.
2 - يكلف المحقق خبراء الأدلة الجنائية بالبحث عما تركه الجاني من آثار تفيد التحقيق كآثار الأقدام، والبصمات، وبقع الدم، وفحص الملابس، وبقية الأشياء، ورفع الآثار المتخلفة عن الجريمة، ووضع رسم تخطيطي، وأخذ صور لمكان وقوع الجريمة، وغير ذلك من الأمور ذات العلاقة بعمل خبراء الأدلة الجنائية.
3 - للمحقق إعادة المعاينة إذا اقتضى الأمر ذلك، مع ذكر الأسباب.
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 54 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law regulates the inspection of the scene of the crime.
1- Who carries out the inspection?
- The rule is that the investigator himself carries it out.
- He may delegate a criminal investigation officer to carry it out, subject to the provisions on delegation. These include what Article 44 of the Regulations provides: that the delegation be express and written, by someone who has the authority, and include the required details.
2- Role of forensic experts: The investigator tasks them with searching for traces left by the perpetrator that help the investigation, such as:
- Footprints, fingerprints and bloodstains.
- Examining clothing and other items.
- Lifting the traces left by the crime.
- Drawing a sketch and taking photographs of the crime scene.
- Other matters connected with their work.
3- Re-inspection: The investigator may repeat the inspection if necessary, stating the reasons.
Relationship to neighboring articles: It is preceded by Article 53, which requires the investigator to go at once in major crimes even if his jurisdiction is in doubt, and followed by Article 55, which sets out what the investigator starts with as soon as he reaches the crime scene, and seizing and securing what relates to it.
If you are a party to a case and want to know how this provision affects your situation, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
After a jewelry store robbery in Riyadh, the investigator went to inspect it and tasked forensic experts with lifting fingerprints, photographing the premises and drawing a sketch of it. Then new information emerged about a rear exit, so he repeated the inspection and stated the reasons for repeating it.
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 54 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Must the investigator inspect the crime scene himself?
The rule is that he carries out the inspection himself, and he may delegate a criminal investigation officer subject to the provisions on delegation.
What is the role of forensic experts?
Searching for the perpetrator's traces such as footprints, fingerprints and bloodstains, examining clothing, lifting traces, drawing a sketch and taking photographs of the scene.
Can the crime scene be inspected again?
Yes, the investigator may repeat the inspection if necessary, stating the reasons.
More articles on Investigation and Inspection Procedures
- Article 8
The article explains the in-law relationship and the enmity that bar a member of the Authority from handling a case, and lets any opponent request disqualification of the investigator before or during the investigation.
1- لا يشترط لقيام صلة المصاهرة المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الحادية والعشرين) من النظام؛ أن تكون رابطة الزوجية قائمة. 2 - العداوة التي تمنع عضو الهيئة
- 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 44
The article sets the conditions for the validity of the delegation in Article 66 of the Law, and explains when the delegated officer must be named and when identifying his job function is enough.
1- يشترط لصحة الندب - الوارد في المادة (السادسة والستين) من النظام - أن يصدر صريحاً ممن يملكه، وأن يكون مثبتاً بالكتابة، ويبين فيه اسم من أصدره، ووظيفته وتوقيعه
- Article 45
The article makes the delegate responsible for assessing the fear of running out of time referred to in Article 67 of the Law, subject to the Bureau's oversight.
يكون تقدير خشية فوات الوقت المشار إليه في المادة (السابعة والستين) من النظام للمندوب، ويخضع هذا التقدير لرقابة الهيئة.
- Article 46
The article directs inquiries from government bodies to the Bureau or the body handling the case, without anything that may affect the investigation, and provides that the Bureau informing them is not a disclosure of secrets.
1- توجه استفسارات الجهات الحكومية ذات العلاقة إلى الهيئة، أو إلى الجهة التي لديها القضية، على ألا يشتمل الاستفسار أو الإجابة على ما قد يؤثر في سير التحقيق أو إج
- Article 47
The article regulates adding the private claimant's claim to the case file, attendance at investigation procedures and barring it when necessary, multiple lawyers, and the duty not to disclose investigation secrets.
1- إذا قبل المحقق ادعاء المدعي بالحق الخاص استناداً إلى الفقرة (1) من المادة (التاسعة والستين) من النظام؛ فيلحقه بملف الدعوى، ويشير إليه في لائحة الدعوى. 2 - يك
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.