EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

• There are two types of evidence:

  • Direct evidence
  • Circumstantial evidence
• Direct evidence is evidence that tends to prove a fact directly – for example, when the witness testifies about something which that witness personally saw or heard.
• Circumstantial evidence is evidence of circumstances that can be relied upon not as proving a fact directly, but instead pointing to its existence.

  • It requires that an inference be made about the likelihood of the scenarios being presented.
• Both evidence must be considered by jury
• Investigators collect evidence to in order to prove or establish that a crime has taken place and that the evidence proves that the accused physically committed the act beyond reasonable doubt