Final answer:
A complaint is determined to be substantiated if it is supported by adequate evidence that meets the burden of proof for the case type, reflects expert consensus when relevant, and is not based on bias or coincidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine whether a complaint is substantiated, several factors are considered. Key among these is the burden of proof. In civil cases, the plaintiff must establish their claim by a preponderance of the evidence, while in criminal cases, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Verification of a claim may involve subjective experiences and interpretations. For example, checking whether there is milk in the refrigerator requires direct observation, whereas verifying claims about galaxies or subatomic particles heavily relies on expert testimony and consensus within the relevant scientific community.
When assessing whether the provided evidence is sufficient, questions such as:
- Is the person supplying testimony an expert in the relevant field?
- Is there a consensus among experts on the topic?
- Does this expert's testimony align with the expert consensus?
- Is there a possibility of bias influencing the person's testimony?
are addressed to establish credibility and reliability of the evidence.
Ultimately, a complaint is substantiated if it is supported by ample evidence that justifies the claim, and this evidence must align with accepted knowledge and expert consensus, if applicable, and must not be the result of coincidence or bias.