- Direct Evidence: the testimony of witnesses who actually saw the offence being committed
- Circumstantial Evidence: indirect evidence; indicates that it is highly probable that the accused is the only one who could have committed the crime
- Similar Fact Evidence: shows that the accused has committed similar offences in the past
- Hearsay Evidence: something that someone other than the witness has said or written
- Generally inadmissible (not allowed)
- No cross examination of this evidence as the witness cannot testify as to its truth
- Opinion Evidence: what an expert thinks about facts in a case
- Photographs, Videos & Tape Recordings:
- Photos are allowed only to give an accurate representation of a scene of a crime
- Video/Audio tape is admissible if the person had no reasonable expectation of privacy
- Electronic Devices and Video Surveillance
- Will be admitted only if Criminal Code procedures have been followed
- Devices cannot be used to intercept private conversations unless authorized by court order or one of the parties in the conversation has consented
- Exceptions for emergency situations
- Polygraph Evidence
- Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that polygraph tests (lie detectors) are hearsay and therefore inadmissible as evidence
