Final answer:
Similar fact evidence is a legal term that refers to evidence demonstrating that an accused person has engaged in similar behavior in the past, which can be used to suggest a pattern consistent with the charges being faced(option c).
Step-by-step explanation:
Similar fact evidence is a type of evidence used in legal proceedings. This term refers to evidence that shows the accused has engaged in the same type of behaviour in the past(option c).
The underlying principle is that similar facts can be used to show the likelihood of a consistent pattern of behavior. It's not merely evidence that is similar to other evidence, nor is it evidence that shows the accused is the wrong person who looks similar to the accused individual. In law, it's crucial to select evidence that best supports the point at hand, meets the instructor's requirements, and comes from verifiable facts and experience.
For example, if someone is on trial for a robbery, and they have committed similar crimes in the past, the prosecution might submit that historical pattern as similar fact evidence to argue that it's more likely the accused carried out the robbery in question. However, the admissibility of such evidence is subject to stringent legal rules, because it carries the risk of prejudicing a jury against the defendant by suggesting they have a propensity to commit crimes.