preliminary investigation

The preliminary investigation phase serves to verify information and determine if there is prima facie evidence before moving to a full investigation phase under section 28(1).

“Because the initial part of it, the preliminary, is to verify. Verify that info, do your necessary investigation, and then when you see that there is substance, there is a prima facie here, then it goes into a full-blown investigation, which is in section 28(1). So the preliminary is just to confirm, identify this, this, etcetera”

A criminal case can be registered during both the preliminary investigation and full investigation phases if prima facie evidence exists.

“A criminal case can be registered during both phases ... while you are busy with the preliminary investigation, you are going to find that there is prima facie evidence, etcetera. Then you will register a case”