Real Evidence

Question 1

What is real evidence?

Answer 1

Real or demonstrative evidence is actual physical evidence addressed directly to the trier of fact. It may be direct, circumstantial, original, or prepared.

Question 2

What must real evidence be to be admissable?

Answer 2

relevant and either of these:

1) authenticated by testimony or it was held in a substantially unbroken chain of custody
2) Condition of the object is same as it is in trial
3) some principle does not outweigh the need to bring it in

Question 3

Are relevant photos, diagrams, maps, or other reproductions admissable?

Answer 3

yes as long as they are not outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice or only used for explanatory purposes

Question 4

Can you recreate a experiment?

Answer 4

Yes as long as it is substantially the same conditions as those attending the original event.

Question 5

Must maps, charts, models be authenticated?

Answer 5

yes