What type of evidence is testimonial evidence?

Testimonial evidence refers specifically to oral or written assertions made by a witness under oath, presented in court to support or oppose claims made during legal proceedings. This type of evidence relies heavily on the credibility and reliability of the witness providing the testimony. The witness offers information based on their personal knowledge, experiences, or observations relevant to the case at hand.

Other forms of evidence, such as documents, physical objects, or crime scene evidence, serve different roles in court. For instance, documents can provide written proof of claims made in a case but do not fall under the category of testimonial evidence, which is fundamentally based on what a person says rather than what is written or material objects. Similarly, physical objects and collected evidence from a crime scene are categorized as real evidence, which is distinct from statements or assertions made by individuals. Thus, focusing on the nature of testimonial evidence as an account or assertion highlights its unique role in legal circumstances.