Singapore legislation
Clause 173
Clause 173
General powers of investigating officers
(1)
An investigating officer may —
issue an order in writing requiring the attendance before him of any person who appears to be acquainted with the circumstances of the matter;
if he considers that the production of any document or other material is necessary or desirable for the purpose of an investigation, issue an order in writing to the person in whose possession, custody or control such document or material is believed to be, requiring him to attend and produce it at the time and place stated in the order;
for the purpose of the investigation, take possession of or photograph any material or document;
take or cause to be taken the finger-prints, photographs of a person accused of an offence and may use them in any manner he deems fit including sending the same for identification and report;
visit any place for the purpose of investigation; and
examine orally any person who may be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the matter under investigation and shall reduce into writing any statement made by the person so examined.
(2)
Where an investigation into an offence involving persons subject to military law, that is not committed on active service, is completed the investigating officer —
if he is an officer appointed under paragraph (a) of section 171 of this Act shall forward the investigation material obtained pursuant to the exercise of his powers under subsection (1) of this section to the senior disciplinary officer or superior commander who appointed him to investigate the offence who shall thereupon cause the matter to be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Part IV of this Act;
if he is a military policeman shall forward the investigation material obtained pursuant to the exercise of his powers under subsection (1) of this section to the person appointed under paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section 80 of this Act who shall, if he is of the opinion that the investigation material discloses sufficient evidence to connect a person subject to military law with the commission of an offence, direct a military prosecutor to frame a charge and submit the same to a disciplinary officer for summary trial under Part IV of this Act or to the convening authority for trial by a subordinate military court.
(3)
Where the investigation is in respect of an offence committed by a person on active service the investigating officer, whether a military policeman or otherwise shall submit the investigation material to a senior disciplinary officer or superior commander who will if he is satisfied that the material discloses evidence to connect that person with the commission of the offence either deal with the case summarily or arrange the convening of a field general court martial for the trial of that person.