Direct Evidence
- Seeing the offense being committed.
Circumstantial Evidence
- You saw the teacher with a bomb then heard an explosion in the classroom. It is safe to say you saw the person who committed the crime.
Similar Fact Evidence
- Evidence showing the accused has committed similar offenses in the past.
Hearsay Evidence
- Evidence that someone other than the witness has said or written. It is generally not admissible.
- No cross-examination of this evidence as witness cannot testify as to its truth.
Opinion Evidence (or expert testimony)
- What an expert thinks about facts in a case.
Photographs, Video or Tape Recordings
- Photos are allowed only to give accurate representation of a scene of a crime.
- Video/Audio tape is admissible if the person had no reasonable expectation of privacy.
- Wiretapping, Polygraph and Confessions
Voire Dire
- A trial within a trial to see if evidence can be shown to the jury.
- Judge asks jury to leave courtroom and listens to Crown and defence positions.
- Judge makes decision based on rules of evidence to determine if evidence is admissible. Jury returns and trial continues.
