Criminology Term: Physical Evidence
Physical evidence is a term used to refer to any tangible object that can be presented in court as proof or disproof of a fact in a criminal case.
It is a crucial part of any criminal investigation as it provides objective, scientific data that can help identify suspects or link them to a crime scene.
Physical evidence can come in a variety of forms, such as weapons, clothing, fingerprints, DNA samples, hair, fibers, blood stains, and footprints. These items are often collected by forensic experts who analyze them to determine their significance in the case.
Physical evidence is particularly valuable in criminal investigations because it provides an objective basis for drawing conclusions about what happened at a crime scene.
This is in contrast to eyewitness testimony, which is subjective and can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as bias, memory recall, and emotions.
For this reason, physical evidence is often considered to be more reliable than other forms of evidence. It can help to establish a timeline of events, reconstruct the scene of the crime, and identify the individuals involved.
Moreover, physical evidence can help to exonerate innocent individuals who have been wrongly accused or convicted of a crime.
