The Laws of Evidence IP
Address the following in 2-3 pages:
- Identify and describe 5 different types of specific demonstrative evidence.
- What can demonstrative evidence be used to show? Explain.
- Define authentication (Rule 901, Federal Rules of Evidence).
- What types of evidence must be authenticated? Explain why.
- How is authentication related to relevance? Explain.
- Thoroughly explain the process of authenticating both real evidence and demonstrative evidence.
- How are the processes similar? How are they different? Explain.
- Specifically, how can the following be authenticated? Explain in detail:
- Pictorial evidence (photographs, X-rays, videos, and automatic devices)
- Computer printouts
- Maps, models, diagrams, charts, and summaries
- What are the different stages in the evidence chain of custody?
- Why is the chain of custody so important to successful prosecutions? Explain in detail.
- Use at least 3 scholarly resources to fully support your responses.
- Be sure to reference all sources using APA format.
Demonstrative Evidence
Interactions within the courtroom often seek to determine the credibility of information presented by the prosecution on an particular criminal activity. The concept of the accused person remaining innocent until proven guilty depends on the credibility of information presented as evidence, which explains the importance of evidence reliability. However, it is not always possible to present all the evidence and information as it were in the crime scene, which explains the importance of demonstrations by either sides of the case presented. Nonetheless, there has been concerns over the use of demonstrative evidence in courts, with the initial questions revolving about the impact of tech demonstrations on the opinions of the jury and other parties present in the court room (Santee, 2012).