PREPARATIONS FOR COURT

EXHIBIT
• Know Your Categories of Evidence
There are four general types of evidence:
1. Demonstrative
2. Documentary
3. Testimonial
4. Real
• Prepare Your Evidence
1. The relevance of the evidence (and thus the exhibit) in proving the facts of the case
2. Whether the evidence can be authenticated
3. Laying a foundation for admissibility
4. Any logistical issues involved in introducing the evidence
• Organize and Copy Exhibits
Think about how you will establish the authenticity of each exhibit. Some
evidence is self-authenticating, like sealed and signed domestic documents,
but most evidence is not. Think about any logistical problems that may arise,
including objections from the other side.
Avoid redundant exhibits--a few strong pieces of evidence are more impactful
than a scattered collection of repetitive evidence.

• Make a List, Check It Twice

You can get a copy of the form from the court website, or the clerk of court
can provide it for you.
Regardless, you should have a complete exhibit index, including the author or
source for each exhibit, the date, the type of exhibit, and a short description of
each exhibit for easy identification.
• File Your Exhibits
Your exhibits should always be attached to the relevant court
documents during filing. For example, if you're filing an exhibit in
conjunction with a motion, that motion should be attached to the
exhibit.
• Prepare Cheat Sheets
While you prepare documents and exhibits, take the time to develop a
cheat sheet for your attorneys. List, in order, each of the issues your
attorney will address in court, along with the exhibits and evidence
they'll need to support each argument with the appropriate exhibit
number and relevant documents.
This photograph serve in place of an object or a verbal
description of it such as the understanding of the report
of the police and medico-legal officer.
 GRUESOME PICTURE
Although photographs of severe body injuries may
arouse emotion of horror or indignation in the minds of
the observer, they are considered admissible provided the
intent is SIMPLY TO ILLUSTRATE THE RELEVANT FACTS
and not to prejudice the judge against the dependant.
The photographer should be interested only on portraying
the facts accurately.
OTHER GRUESOME PIX
Black & White: Gruesome Pix
THE PHOTOGRAPHER IN COURT
In testifying, his purpose should be to EXPLAIN not to DEFEND his
photograph. His replies to queries should be directly responsive at all
times. If he does not understand the question, he should request
clarification. When the nature of the question requires that he consult
his notes, he should request permission from the judge.
 QUALIFICATIONS
Since photographer is giving opinion evidence, the court
technically regards him as an EXPERT WITNESS. Nevertheless, he
need not be an expert photographer in the professional sense and
should not represent himself as such. He should be presented as an
experienced photographer, proficient in the TECHNIQUE THAT
WERE USED IN PRODUCING THE EVIDENCE PHOTOGRAPHS.
 Before his pictures are admitted in evidence, the photographer may be asked certain
questions to establish his competence on the basis of his experience and training. Hence, he
must be prepared to prove to the satisfaction of the court that his training and experience have
qualified him for the work related to physical evidence.
KNOWLEDGE IN SPECIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC
TECHNIQUES ARE OF VALUE TO AN EXPERT
WITNESS
RELEVANCE AND MATERIALITY
A. TEST FOR DETERMINING THE RELEVANCY
1. Photographs are admissible whenever they assist the court
to understand the case.
2. Photographs are admissible when they assisted witness in
explaining his testimony.
B. NECESSITY OF PRELIMINARY PROOF OF ACCURACY
A photograph taken in ordinary way usually is an accurate record
of image cast by the lens upon the film, but as distortion is possible
through the manner in which the camera or negative is used, a
photograph is admitted as evidence when it is proven and there must
always preliminary proofs that it is a correct representation of the
subject.
 WHO MAY VERIFY PHOTOGRAPH
1. The better practice is to show the accuracy of the
photographs by the photographer who took them.
2. Any person having sufficient knowledge of the subject to
say that the photograph is a faithful representation
thereof.
REMINDERS:
In photographing the scene, the photographer should attempt to record all useful information in
series of photographs that will help the viewer to understand WHERE, and HOW the crime was
committed. The term CRIME SCENE refers not only to the immediate site of the crime, but also to
adjacent areas, which may be important in establishing the LOCATION and surrounding of the
immediate site.
THANK YOU, GOOD DAY AND

GOD BLESSES YOU ALL!!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU