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Article 54 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

In the event of a flagrant crime, the judicial police officer, who is notified, immediately informs the public prosecutor, goes without delay to the scene of the crime and makes all useful observations.

He ensures the preservation of evidence likely to disappear and of anything that may serve to reveal the truth. He seizes the weapons and instruments that were used to commit the crime or that were intended to commit it, as well as anything that appears to have been the direct or indirect product of this crime.

He represents the objects seized, for recognition, to the persons who appear to have participated in the crime, if they are present.

Original in French 🇫🇷
Article 54

En cas de crime flagrant, l’officier de police judiciaire qui en est avisé, informe immédiatement le procureur de la République, se transporte sans délai sur le lieu du crime et procède à toutes constatations utiles.

Il veille à la conservation des indices susceptibles de disparaître et de tout ce qui peut servir à la manifestation de la vérité. Il saisit les armes et instruments qui ont servi à commettre le crime ou qui étaient destinés à le commettre ainsi que tout ce qui paraît avoir été le produit direct ou indirect de ce crime.

Il représente les objets saisis, pour reconnaissance, aux personnes qui paraissent avoir participé au crime, si elles sont présentes.

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