Over the past several weeks we've reviewed various different types of evidence. Last week, we examined one particular example of evidence: polygraph tests. We cast doubt on their validity. This week we'll look at fingerprints. Every crime show seems to place a great deal of emphasis on fingerprints. But are fingerprints reliable evidence? What do [...]
You've seen them before in movies and TV shows. Maybe from Meet the Parents, Seinfeld, or Vanity Fair. A lot of people know about polygraph tests, but few people understand how they work. Maybe you've even heard that some states and districts no longer admit their results as evidence in a trial! If you face [...]
For the past couple of weeks we've examined different types of evidence. We've contrasted hearsay and circumstantial evidence and physical and circumstantial evidence. Now, it's important we take a step back. All sorts of categories exist for understanding evidence. But we need to look at the two broadest ways of categorizing evidence. This includes understanding [...]
Last week, we took a look at the differences between hearsay and circumstantial evidence. In that article, we briefly defined the differences between physical evidence and circumstantial evidence. However, we feel it may be helpful to our readers to double back and provide further clarity on physical and circumstantial evidence. This type of information can [...]
Generally, two types of evidence exist in a criminal trial: circumstantial evidence and physical evidence. The difference is easy to understand. Physical evidence directly links the accused to the crime, while circumstantial evidence merely suggests their guilt. But what about the difference between hearsay and circumstantial evidence? If you watch courtroom dramas, maybe you've heard, [...]