Rules of Evidence

Types of Evidence

100

What is primary evidence?

• Evidence that is original and directly related to the fact in question.

200

What is secondary evidence?

• Evidence that is not original and is used to prove the content of primary evidence.

300

What is demonstrative evidence?

• Evidence that is used to illustrate or demonstrate the facts of the case, such as diagrams or models.

400

What is circumstantial evidence?

• Evidence that suggests a fact by implication or inference rather than direct proof.

500

What is testimonial evidence?

• Evidence that is provided by a witness, typically through their verbal or written statements.

Legal Standards

100

What is the burden of proof?

The obligation to prove one's assertion or claim in a legal proceeding.

200

What is the standard of admissibility?

• The criteria that evidence must meet to be considered valid and allowed in court.

300

What is hearsay?

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted.

400

What is the best evidence rule?

• A legal principle stating that the best available evidence must be presented in court.

500

What is the standard of review?

• The level of scrutiny applied by a court when reviewing a lower court's decision.

Document Analysis

100

What is authenticity?

The genuineness of a document, confirming that it is what it claims to be.

200

What is chain of custody?

• The process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence to ensure its integrity.

300

What is forensic examination?

The application of scientific principles and techniques to analyze evidence.

400

What is the importance of metadata?

• Metadata provides information about a document's creation, modification, and access history, which aids in establishing authenticity and integrity.

500

What is a forensic document examiner?

• A professional who analyzes documents to determine their authenticity and identify alterations.

Ethical Considerations

100

What is confidentiality?

• The ethical duty to protect sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure.

200

What is informed consent?

• The process of obtaining permission from individuals before using their information or involving them in research.

300

What are conflicts of interest?

• Situations where personal interests may compromise professional judgment or actions.

400

What is the duty to disclose?

The obligation to reveal certain information, especially if withholding it can harm others.

500

What is professional privilege?

• The legal right of professionals to refuse to disclose confidential communications in court.

Historical Context

100

What is the significance of the Magna Carta in documentary evidence?

• The Magna Carta established principles of due process and the importance of written documentation in legal proceedings.

200

How did the Federal Rules of Evidence evolve?

• The Federal Rules of Evidence were established in 1975 to unify and streamline the rules governing evidence in federal courts.

300

What is the role of documentary evidence in the Nuremberg Trials?

• Documentary evidence was crucial in establishing the actions and accountability of defendants for war crimes.

400

What are landmark cases that shaped documentary evidence?

• Cases such as "United States v. Nixon" and "Crawford v. Washington" have significantly influenced the admissibility and treatment of documentary evidence.

500

How do international standards impact documentary evidence?

• International treaties and conventions, like the Hague Convention, influence how documentary evidence is recognized and used across different jurisdictions.