Chapter 11

Evidence

Abstract

This chapter defines evidence and how it pertains to private sector investigations, notes the four kinds of evidence (parole, documentary, demonstrative, and judicial notice), and clarifies the importance of demonstrative (physical) evidence. The chapter also explores four basic rules related to physical evidence (gathering, marking, preserving, and establishing a chain), ways to read physical evidence, three types of fingerprint impressions (visible, plastic, and latent), creative ways to collect physical evidence, the three most common problems related to documents, and the three-phase process of anonymous letter investigations. The chapter concludes with some rules and definitions of evidence, using an example case ...

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