Cap. 9 Art. 555Procedure to be followed in cases where material object no longer exists, etc.

If the subject-matter of the offence no longer exists, or for some cause cannot be viewed, or if the nature of the offence is such that it could not leave any permanent traces, or if the traces shall have been in any manner destroyed, then there shall be ascertained in the inquiry, the actual state of the object, and, as far as possible, the state in which it was before it became the subject-matter of the offence; and any evidence on these points shall be taken down in writing and shall form part of the inquiry: Provided that where the traces shall have been destroyed, there shall also be ascertained, as far as practicable, the mode and the cause of their disappearance, and all evidence, tending to prove that the offence was actually committed, shall also be collected.