176. Procedure for investigation.

(1) The officer in charge of a police station shall, if the offence is not of a serious nature, depute one of his subordinate officers not being below such rank as the State Government may, by general or special order, prescribe in this behalf, to proceed to the spot, to investigate the facts and circumstances of the case, and, if necessary, to take measures for the discovery and arrest of the offender.

(2) In a case where the offence is of a serious nature, the officer in charge of the police station shall himself proceed, or shall depute one of his subordinate officers not below such rank as aforesaid, to proceed to the spot, to investigate the facts and circumstances of the case, and, if necessary, to take measures for the discovery and arrest of the offender.

(3) Where a cognizable offence is made out to have been committed and the offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term of seven years or more, the officer in charge of the police station shall cause forensic investigation of the scene of crime, including videography of the process of collection of evidence, by a team of forensic experts.

(4) Where any information is given under sub-section (1) of section 173, the investigating officer shall visit the scene of crime for the collection of evidence within the prescribed time.