ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

What type of evidence tends to show a defendant IS guilty?

1. Exculpatory

2. Inculpatory

3. Direct

4. Corroborative

The correct answer is: Inculpatory

Inculpatory evidence is the type that tends to establish a defendant's guilt. This type of evidence includes any information, witness testimony, or physical evidence that directly indicates a person's involvement in a crime or supports the case against them. For instance, if there are eyewitness accounts, fingerprints found at a crime scene, or recorded confessions, all of these would be considered inculpatory, as they serve to implicate the defendant in the unlawful act. In contrast, the other types of evidence listed do not indicate guilt in the same way. Exculpatory evidence is specifically meant to prove a defendant's innocence or lessen the degree of their involvement. Direct evidence refers to evidence that directly links the defendant to the crime without any inference needed, which can also include inculpatory scenarios. Corroborative evidence, while supportive, is not directly indicative of guilt but rather reinforces other pieces of evidence. Therefore, the focus on how inculpatory evidence demonstrates guilt distinguishes it clearly from other forms of evidence in a legal context.