Final answer:
Physical evidence examples include DNA, while Eyewitness testimony, Hearsay, and Opinion testimony are not physical evidence types. DNA can provide a scientific basis for claims, while the reliability of eyewitness testimony can be questionable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for examples of physical evidence and the explanation of a technique related to the examples provided. I'll begin by addressing the items listed (DNA, Eyewitness testimony, Hearsay, Opinion testimony) and categorizing them properly.
- DNA is an example of physical evidence. It is a direct, material object that can be observed and analyzed scientifically to support claims and predictions about natural phenomena or in legal cases, to prove or disprove elements concerning the case.
- Eyewitness testimony is not physical evidence; rather, it's a type of direct evidence, but it relies on the recollections of individuals, which may be subject to error or bias.
- Hearsay is neither physical nor direct evidence; it's an indirect report of another person's words and is usually not admissible in a court due to reliability issues.
- Opinion testimony, typically provided by experts, is not physical evidence but can interpret physical evidence or provide specialized knowledge to the court.
As an attorney facing the challenge of eyewitness testimony, you would need to convey to the jurors the potential for inaccuracy in such testimony. Research shows that eyewitness testimonies can be unreliable due to factors like memory decay, suggestibility, and stress at the time of the event. This could be contrasted with the more reliable nature of physical evidence such as DNA, which can be more conclusively and scientifically verified.
An example of a DNA technique that can be given is DNA fingerprinting, which uses unique sequences in an individual's DNA to create a profile that can be compared to evidence found at a crime scene.