Forensics Types of Evidence

Trace Evidence

A type of circumstantial evidence that is found at a crime scene in small but measurable amounts

- Can be Physical or Biological

direct evidence

Eyewitness accounts of a crime

also called direct evidence, videos, recordings, confessions

Physical Evidence

Any material items that are present at the crime scene or on the victims.

Circumstantial evidence

Indirect evidence that can be used to imply a fact .

Can be physical or biological

Provides a link between the crime scene and the suspect.

Biological evidence

A type of circumstantial evidence that includes body fluids, hair, plant parts, and natural fibers

Trace evidence

A type of circumstantial evidence that can include blood, fingerprints, hair, soil from shoes.

Class evidence

A type of evidence that narrows the identity to a group of persons of things.

Example Blood type, paint,

Individual evidence

The type of evidence that narrows the identity to a single person.

Example fingerprint or DNA

Indirect/Circumstantial Evidence

not direct proof, but can imply a fact (Physical or Biological)

Transient Evidence

temporary; easily changed or lost; usually observed by the first officer at the scene (Example: odor, temperature, Imprints, indentations)

Transfer Evidence

any evident substance or particle such as blood, fluids, hairs, fibers, paint, and skin that is exchanged between an assailant and the victim or the scene of the crime

direct evidence (ex)

audio recording

circumstantial evidence (ex)

hair color or fibers from shirt

trace evidence (ex)

dirt from shoes or gunshot residue

individual evidence (ex)

handwriting analysis or skin cells

class evidence (ex)

shoe print or tire marks

transient evidence (ex)

smoke, temperature, odors, weather

biological evidence (ex)

saliva, urine, tissue samples

physical evidence (ex)

shell casings, drugs, explosives