What is testimonial evidence?

Testimonial evidence refers specifically to the verbal accounts given by witnesses regarding what they have seen, heard, or experienced related to an event, such as a fire incident. This type of evidence is crucial in investigations because it provides firsthand perspectives and can help establish a sequence of events or clarify circumstances surrounding a fire. Witnesses may include bystanders, firefighters, or anyone else who might have relevant information about the incident.

In contrast, other types of evidence mentioned, such as physical proof (like remnants of the fire scene), written reports (recorded by investigators), or digital evidence from devices (like surveillance footage or electronic communications), do not fall under the category of testimonial evidence as they are not direct verbal accounts from witnesses. These different forms of evidence can complement testimonial accounts but are distinctly separate types of evidence with their own roles in an investigation.