656. Citation of experts as witnesses. [§ 12, Act V, 1861].
(a)Experts may be cited as witnesses to prove previous convictions of undertrial prisoners only when the ordinary methods fail, but they shall not be so cited by subordinate police officers without the sanction of the Superintendent. An expert can only prove identity under sections 45 and 73 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, while jail warders, police officers and complainants and witnesses in previous cases can prove both identity and previous convictions.(b)Finger Print Experts employed in districts may depose in Court as laid down in regulation 498.(c)If no certificated expert can be procured locally to give evidence, application shall be made to the Deputy Inspector-General, Criminal Investigation Department, who will arrange for the attendance of a certificated expert from the Finger Print Bureau.(d)Any case in which a Magistrate declines to accept the uncorroborated evidence of the finger-print expert shall be brought to the notice of the Deputy Inspector-General, Criminal Investigation Department, and if the Magistrate in the judgment has made any comment on the subject, a copy of the judgment shall accompany the report.
