Which term describes physical items collected from a crime scene that can be observed directly?

• A. Real evidence
• B. Documentary evidence
• C. Hearsay
• D. Opinion

Answer: (A)

Real evidence refers to tangible items collected from a crime scene that you can observe directly. This includes objects like a weapon, fingerprints, bloodstains, fibers, or a recovered bullet—things you can see, touch, or measure and sometimes test in a lab. It’s different from documentary evidence, which consists of records or written material; from hearsay, which are out-of-court statements relayed by others; and from an opinion, which is a belief or judgment offered by a person rather than a physical item or direct observation. Real evidence is what you can connect to the scene through direct physical observation and analysis.