Literature On Criminal Evidence Essay Example
Literature On Criminal Evidence Essay Example

Literature On Criminal Evidence Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (391 words)
  • Published: September 24, 2018
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This essay discusses the literature on criminal evidence, focusing on the role of demonstrative evidence in the court of law. The literature suggests that all evidence presented in court should support a theoretical hypothesis in a court case, and to be credible, it should either be direct evidence or disprove any indirect evidence that tries to discredit it. Thus, prosecutors, investigators, and advocates must ensure that the evidence they present is strong and can withstand legal challenges.

Furthermore, there needs to be an effort to clarify the distinction between hearsay and cases based on evidence, as this has created a significant challenge in the timely and effective resolution of court cases. Demonstrative evidence serves to visually illustrate or clarify oral testimony, making it more tangible and understandable. An example of demonstrative evidence is scientific evidence. For example, if a pharmacist testi

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fies that her patient died from lead poisoning, she would need to refer to graphical charts showing the patient's body and how the poison moved through their circulatory system. These visual documents are crucial for establishing the credibility of the pharmacist's witness testimony (Siemer, 1984).

Instead of physically taking juries to the crime scene, it is now legally acceptable to use backup evidence in the court of law. This includes photographs and videos of the crime scene as well as scientific experiments and microscopic enlargements. Plaster casts, similar to orthopedic casts, are also generally accepted as evidence.

Moreover, police composites, sketches, and mug shots are now widely accepted due to advancements in police investigation techniques. Additionally, computer animations, maps, and scale models are also admissible as long as they can withstand legal challenges (Kantor, 1998). Nonetheless, all

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evidence, whether tangible or demonstrative, must be proven authentic. This requires proper identification by relevant sources. For example, real evidence may need authentication from the specific witness who provided the testimony.

According to a legal standpoint, evidence is recognized as what the presenter claims it to be in a court of law. Demonstrative evidence, however, requires authentication through a written document or supporting evidence to prove its legitimacy. The process of authenticating evidence follows specific rules, such as ensuring that the authenticated evidence does not change or distort the primary evidence. For instance, a computer enhanced clip that alters the lighting of a crime scene may be deemed inadmissible in court (Moenssens et al, 1995).

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