ASI Police Test Police Professional Knowledge Syllabus

What is a 'challan' (police report) under Section 173 CrPC?

It is the final report submitted by police to the magistrate on completion of investigation, stating whether an offence is made out, listing the accused, witnesses, and evidence. It initiates the trial stage.

What is the difference between a 'cancellation report' and a 'challan' in police investigation?

A challan (under-173) is submitted when evidence supports prosecution of the accused. A cancellation report is submitted when investigation reveals no offence was committed or no evidence exists, recommending the case be closed.

What is the maximum period police can keep an arrested person before producing them before a magistrate, under CrPC?

Under Section 61 CrPC, an arrested person must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest (excluding travel time). Detention beyond this requires a magistrate's remand order under Section 167.

What is 'remand' under Section 167 CrPC, and what are its two types?

Remand is the magistrate's authorization to detain an accused beyond 24 hours during investigation. Types: Police (physical) remand—custody with police for investigation; and Judicial remand—custody in jail. Total remand under 167 generally cannot exceed 15 days at a time.

Under the CrPC, when can a police officer arrest a person without a warrant?

Under Section 54 CrPC, when a person is concerned in a cognizable offence, is a proclaimed offender, possesses stolen property, obstructs an officer, escapes custody, is a deserter, or is reasonably suspected of a cognizable crime.

What is the legal procedure for making an arrest under Section 46 CrPC?

The officer actually touches or confines the body of the person to be arrested, unless the person submits to custody by word or action. Only as much force as necessary may be used to prevent escape.

What special rules apply to the arrest of a woman under the CrPC?

A woman should normally be arrested by a female police officer; her body may not be touched by a male officer except where her arrest is necessary and a female officer is unavailable; searches of a woman must be conducted by another woman with strict decency (Section 52 CrPC).

What is the difference between a search with a warrant and a search without a warrant under the CrPC?

A search warrant is issued by a magistrate/court (e.g., Sections 96–98) authorizing a specific search. A warrantless search by police is permitted in urgent situations during investigation under Section 165 CrPC, with the officer recording reasons in writing.

What does Section 103 CrPC require regarding witnesses to a search?

It requires that a search be conducted in the presence of two or more respectable inhabitants of the locality ('mashir'/witnesses), and a list of seized items (recovery memo) be prepared and signed by them to ensure transparency.

What is a 'recovery memo' (Fard-e-Bramadgi) in police seizure procedure?

It is the written document prepared at the scene listing items seized/recovered during a search, signed by the investigating officer and independent witnesses, recording the time, place, and condition of the recovered articles.

What is the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and in what year was it enacted?

The PPC is the principal substantive criminal law of Pakistan defining offences and their punishments. It was enacted in 1860 (as the Indian Penal Code) and retained and amended after independence.

Which sections of the PPC deal with 'Qatl-i-Amd' (intentional murder)?

Qatl-i-Amd (intentional killing) is defined in Section 300 PPC and made punishable under Section 302 PPC. Punishments include death or imprisonment for life as qisas/ta'zir depending on the case.

What is the difference between 'Qatl-i-Amd' and 'Qatl-i-Khata' under the PPC?

Qatl-i-Amd is intentional killing with the intention or knowledge of causing death. Qatl-i-Khata (Section 318) is killing by mistake of act or fact, without intention to cause the death of that person.

What offences are covered by Sections 379 and 392 of the PPC?

Section 379 PPC punishes theft, and Section 392 PPC punishes robbery. Theft is dishonest taking of movable property; robbery is theft/extortion accompanied by the use or threat of force.

What is the distinction between 'theft', 'robbery', and 'dacoity' under the PPC?

Theft (378): dishonestly taking movable property without force. Robbery (390): theft/extortion with force or fear. Dacoity (391): robbery committed by five or more persons acting together.

What does Section 34 PPC ('common intention') provide?

When a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention, each is liable as if the act were done by him alone. It is a rule of joint liability, not a substantive offence.

What is the difference between Section 34 (common intention) and Section 149 (common object) of the PPC?

Section 34 requires a pre-arranged common intention and active participation among any number of persons. Section 149 applies to members of an unlawful assembly (five or more) and fixes liability for acts done in prosecution of the assembly's common object.

What is the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and what is its primary function?

The CrPC 1898 is the principal procedural law governing the investigation, inquiry, and trial of criminal offences in Pakistan. It lays down how the substantive criminal law (PPC) is enforced, including arrest, FIR, bail, and trial.

What is Qanun-e-Shahadat and in what year was it promulgated?

Qanun-e-Shahadat Order is the law of evidence in Pakistan, promulgated in 1984. It replaced the Evidence Act 1872 and brought the law of evidence in line with Islamic injunctions.

Under Qanun-e-Shahadat, what is the distinction between 'primary' and 'secondary' evidence of a document?

Primary evidence is the original document itself produced for inspection. Secondary evidence is a copy or substitute (e.g., certified copy, oral account of contents) admissible only when the original cannot be produced for legally permitted reasons.

What is the difference between a 'confession' and an 'admission' under the law of evidence?

An admission is a statement suggesting an inference about a fact in issue, made by a party in any proceeding. A confession is a more specific admission by an accused person directly acknowledging guilt of the offence charged.

Is a confession made to a police officer admissible as evidence in Pakistan?

No. A confession made to a police officer is inadmissible. Only a confession recorded by a magistrate (under Section 164 CrPC) with proper safeguards is admissible against the accused.

Under Section 164 CrPC, who is empowered to record a confession or statement, and why?

A Magistrate is empowered to record confessions and statements during investigation. This is to ensure the statement is voluntary, free from police coercion, and made with the accused warned that it may be used against him.

What is the difference between a statement under Section 161 CrPC and one under Section 164 CrPC?

A statement under Section 161 is recorded by the police (investigating officer) during investigation and is not signed by the witness, with limited evidentiary value. A statement/confession under Section 164 is recorded by a magistrate with safeguards and carries greater evidentiary weight.

What is 'crime scene management' and what is its first priority?

Crime scene management is the systematic process of protecting, processing, and documenting a crime scene to preserve evidence. The first priority is securing and cordoning off the scene to prevent contamination, loss, or tampering with evidence.

What is the 'chain of custody' in crime scene investigation, and why is it important?

The chain of custody is the documented chronological record of the seizure, handling, transfer, and storage of physical evidence. It is essential to prove the evidence is authentic and unaltered, ensuring its admissibility in court.

List the basic sequential steps of crime scene processing.

1) Secure and cordon the scene; 2) Conduct initial survey/walkthrough; 3) Photograph and sketch the scene; 4) Search systematically for evidence; 5) Collect, label, and package evidence; 6) Maintain chain of custody; 7) Document everything in the case diary.

What is 'Locard's Exchange Principle' relevant to crime scene investigation?

It states that 'every contact leaves a trace'—a perpetrator will both bring something to the crime scene and take something away. It is the forensic basis for collecting trace evidence linking suspects to scenes.

What is the basic hierarchy of criminal courts in Pakistan from lowest to highest?

Magistrate Courts (Judicial Magistrate, then Magistrate higher classes) → Court of Sessions (Sessions Judge/Additional Sessions Judge) → High Court → Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Which court tries the most serious offences such as murder, and which court hears appeals from a Court of Sessions?

The Court of Sessions tries serious offences like murder (often as the trial court for offences punishable with death/life). Appeals from the Court of Sessions lie to the High Court, and from the High Court to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.