Which system's primary goal is truth-seeking through judicial investigation?

• A. Inquisitorial System
• B. Adversarial System
• C. Crime Control Model
• D. Due Process Model

Answer: (A)

The core idea here is that truth-seeking through judicial investigation is the hallmark of the inquisitorial approach. Inquisitorial systems place the judge in an active role, directing the investigation, gathering and evaluating evidence, and asking questions to uncover facts. The trial builds on the material the judge has gathered, with the aim of reaching a truthful account of what happened.

This stands in contrast to the adversarial system, where the key drive is a contest between prosecution and defense. Each side presents evidence and challenges the other, and the judge acts as a neutral referee rather than the primary investigator of facts. The focus is on the competition between sides to reveal the truth, rather than the judge-led search for facts.

The crime control model emphasizes efficient processing and suppression of crime, prioritizing speedy outcomes and deterrence. The due process model emphasizes protecting individual rights and ensuring fair procedures. While important in practice, neither centers on truth-seeking through an investigator-initiated fact-finding process like the inquisitorial system.

So the system described as prioritizing truth-seeking through judicial investigation is the inquisitorial system.