Exploring evidence

What is evidence? The dictionary definition is the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. Now that seems to be a short, simple, common-sense answer to a simple question. In reality, the question becomes far more convoluted when you consider regulations, the law, and rules of evidence in one jurisdiction, which grows exponentially when considering multiple jurisdictions. Evidence is a determination made by the trier of fact. The trier of fact will determine if the evidence meets the standards for that proceeding and jurisdiction.

I offer the following example: Let’s say you are investigating a murder and you find the victim’s and suspect’s blood in the suspect’s vehicle; the victim’s blood on the suspect’s socks; and a bloodied glove at the scene, and its matching mate found in the suspect’s house.

You could believe the government had an airtight...