Forensic evidence refers to any material or information that helps investigators understand how a crime happened and who was involved. It can come from people, objects, or the crime scene. Here are the main types explained:
1. Physical evidence
This includes any object or material found at a crime scene. Examples are weapons, clothes, broken glass, fingerprints, or footprints. It helps link a suspect to the crime.
2. Biological evidence
This type of evidence comes from living things. It includes blood, saliva, hair, skin, and other body fluids. DNA from these samples can identify people accurately.
3. Chemical evidence
These are substances that can be analyzed to learn more about a crime. Examples include drugs, poisons, explosives, and residues of chemicals. Forensic chemists test these to find their composition.
4. Trace evidence
This refers to very small materials that can transfer during a crime. Examples are fibers, dust, soil, glass fragments, or paint chips. Even tiny traces can connect a suspect to a place.
5. Digital evidence
This includes information stored or transmitted electronically. Examples are messages, emails, photos, videos, or computer files. It helps track communication or actions before and after a crime.
6. Firearms and tool mark evidence
This type focuses on weapons, bullets, and marks made by tools. Experts match bullets to specific guns or identify tools used to break into places.
7. Document evidence
It involves analyzing handwriting, ink, or paper to verify if a document is genuine. Forged signatures or fake notes can be detected this way.
8. Impression evidence
These are marks or patterns left by shoes, tires, or tools. Investigators compare them with known samples to find matches.
9. Toxicological evidence
This involves detecting drugs, alcohol, or poisons in a person’s body. It helps find out if someone was poisoned or under the influence of substances.
In short, forensic evidence can be physical, biological, chemical, trace, digital, firearm-related, document-based, impression-based, or toxicological, and all of them help uncover the truth in criminal investigations.