What does physical evidence refer to in legal terms?

Physical evidence in legal terms is any material object that is relevant to a case and can be used in court to help establish facts related to the dispute or crime. This category includes a wide range of items, such as weapons, clothing, fingerprints, or any tangible items that are connected to the litigation at hand. The significance of physical evidence lies in its ability to provide concrete, objective proof that can support or contradict a claim, making it a critical component in both criminal and civil cases.

In contrast, expressions of intent, witness statements, and documents signed by the suspect represent forms of circumstantial evidence or testimony rather than physical items. While they can also play important roles in a case, they do not fall under the definition of physical evidence as they are not material objects themselves. Therefore, recognizing physical evidence as tangible objects helps to differentiate it from other types of evidence that might involve opinions, intentions, or verbal accounts.