hard evidence

[wench]

I can't find "hard evidence" in my regular dictionary or online dictionary.

What's the difference between "hard evidence" and "substential evidence" I wonder?

[plin]

Hi Wench,

Ideally one should ask this question to a lawyer, who presumably, deals with crime evidence in a more direct way than the average person. This, having been said, when one hears or reads of "substantial evidence," what comes to mind is the idea that there is enough relevant information gathered when trying to solve a case, whatever it may be. Some facts are clear but there are not enough of them to conclusively say --and support-- that this or that effectively took place in the way one thinks it did.

Hard evidence one may want to associate it with facts that are irrefutable and not subjected to much scrutiny because they are self-evident; this makes it easier for one or the investigator, to conclude that a given case took place in the way it's said it did.

I also tried for a dictionary definition but couldn't find one; so, this is simply what I think. I hope others add or take away from what I've said.


Plin.

[wench]

Thank you so much, plin. So substential evidence leads to final conclusion, while hard evidence only proves certain facts is what you say.

[plin]

<Thank you so much, plin. So substential evidence leads to final conclusion, while hard evidence only proves certain facts is what you say.>


I think that substantial evidence may lead in one direction but in the end, hard (or factual) evidence may support said direction or disprove it. One would think that in the absence of hard evidence, substancial evidence would be enought to decide on a case, but who am I to talk about lawyers' stuff?


http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/s087.htm


Couldn't find much info about hard evidence but you may want to read this article:

http://www.rfthomas.clara.net/papers/living1.html


Plin.

[wench]

Man! It's very confusing, plin.

[Rusty]

Man! It's very confusing, plin.
I think, from a layman's point of view, substantial evidence is "enough evidence to take a case to court." "Hard evidence" is fingerprints, blood, bones, weapons, etc. that support the charges.

[plin]

<I think, from a layman's point of view, substantial evidence is "enough evidence to take a case to court." "Hard evidence" is fingerprints, blood, bones, weapons, etc. that support the charges.>

You put it briefly and to the point. Thanks, Rusty.


Plin.

[wench]

Thank you both.