Which of the following best describes physical evidence?

Physical evidence refers to any tangible object that can be observed, examined, or analyzed and that can be presented in a court of law. This includes items such as fingerprints, weapons, clothing, biological samples, and other material objects that have been collected during an investigation. The significance of physical evidence lies in its ability to link a suspect to a crime scene or victim, or to provide other critical information that can support a case.

In contrast, testimony provided by witnesses deals with verbal accounts of what someone saw or experienced, filling in details of events. Documentary proof includes written records such as contracts or official documents that can support a legal argument but aren't tangible objects themselves. Statements made by the defendant are verbal communications with potential implications on their case but do not encompass the physical evidence that can serve as compelling proof in a judicial setting. Hence, the definition of physical evidence fundamentally centers on the physical items that can substantiate claims made during a trial, making it a crucial aspect of evidence law.