What does real evidence refer to in the context of court proceedings?

Real evidence pertains to tangible, physical items that can be presented in a court of law to support the facts of a case. This type of evidence is critical because it allows judges and juries to examine objects directly, which can help in establishing the authenticity and relevance of the evidence. For instance, in a fire investigation, real evidence might include items such as debris from the fire scene, remains of burned materials, or tools suspected to be used in the commission of a crime.

The strength of real evidence lies in its ability to provide direct proof of a fact, allowing for a more concrete understanding of the circumstances surrounding the case. In contrast, theoretical items, digital representations, and verbal testimonies serve different purposes in court but do not involve physical items that can be objectively examined or analyzed in the same manner.