What is testimonial evidence?

• A. Testimonial evidence consists of statements made by a person.
• B. Testimonial evidence is the physical properties of objects.
• C. Testimonial evidence includes chain-of-custody logs.
• D. Testimonial evidence consists of items and the condition of tangible objects.

Answer: (A)

Testimonial evidence consists of statements made by a person about what they observed, experienced, or know to be true. It is non-physical and relies on human memory, perception, and honesty, and it can be spoken or written (for example, a witness's testimony or an affidavit). This type of evidence is about what a person says, not about tangible objects.

In contrast, physical evidence refers to tangible materials and their properties—like fibers, fingerprints, or the condition of items. Chain-of-custody logs track who handled evidence and when, but they describe the management of the evidence, not its content. So the statements people make are what define testimonial evidence.