Investigatory View

under Soviet law, a procedural action consisting in the direct study and recording by an investigator of objects related to a criminal case under investigation. The purpose of the investigatory view is to discover the material traces of the crime and to elucidate the circumstances under which it was committed, as well as other circumstances that are important for the case. An investigatory view is conducted of the place of an incident, the locality, premises, objects, documents, corpses, and mail and telegraph correspondence. Another type of investigatory view is the examination of the accused (suspect), victim, and witness. Attesting witnesses of investigative actions must be present during an investigatory view, and if a corpse is being viewed at the place where it was found, a doctor must be present. During a view criminalistic techniques are employed, still and moving pictures are taken, and maps and diagrams are drawn. The investigator compiles a detailed report on the view and attaches such items as photographs, maps, and molds and impressions of tracks.