Evidence In Bowles V. Virginia Soapstone Co.

Critical to the understanding of how evidence is presented at trial is understanding how evidence is defined. Knowledge of the rules governing evidence is also essential. This paper introduces several basic but key terms, with particular emphasis on the Federal Rules of Evidence. These definitions should in nowise be construed as complete or authoritative as it is intended to introduce the basic concept as it relates to criminal justice practices.

Corpus Delicti and Prima Facie Corpus Delicti, or “the body of the crime” are those elements necessary to assure the guilt – or innocence – of the accused; that the crime actually took place. Specifically, the courts have generally looked at three principles: first, was there, in fact, a
Testimony by Experts: “If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise, if (1) the testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data, (2) the testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods, and (3) the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case.” In Bowles v. Virginia Soapstone Co., the judge ruled: “expert testimony is a useful and necessary adjunct to the administration of justice, and a capable expert can often throw much light upon dark places; but the force of expert testimony must, after all, in large measure depend upon the reasons that the witness is able to give for the opinions which he expresses.” In Bird v. Commonwealth, the court found: "All persons who practice a business or profession which requires them to possess a certain knowledge of the matter in hand, are experts so far as expertness is required." Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence states that a person may qualify as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or
“Records, reports, statements, or data compilations, in any form, of public offices or agencies, setting forth (A) the activities of the office or agency, or (B) matters observed pursuant to duty imposed by law as to which matters there was a duty to report, excluding, however, in criminal cases matters observed by police officers and other law enforcement personnel, or (C) in civil actions and proceedings and against the Government in criminal cases, factual findings resulting from an investigation made pursuant to authority granted by law, unless the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness.” These records can be used as evidence by either side to support their assertions at