Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of physical evidence?

1. Witness testimony

2. Photographs of the scene

3. A tangible object found at the scene

4. Police reports

The correct answer is: A tangible object found at the scene

C is the correct answer because physical evidence refers to any tangible object that can be collected and examined during an investigation. This type of evidence is crucial because it provides concrete support for theories of the case and can be analyzed scientifically. Examples include fingerprints, weapons, clothing, or any object that is physically present at the crime scene and can be directly linked to either the crime or the individuals involved. The other options do not qualify as physical evidence. Witness testimony involves the accounts and observations of individuals who saw or heard relevant events, but it is not a tangible object. Photographs of the scene serve as documentation and visual evidence, but they do not constitute physical evidence themselves. Police reports summarize the findings and activities of law enforcement during the investigation, and although they are important for record-keeping and legal processes, they do not represent physical items or objects related to the crime scene.