Real evidence

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Real evidence is a type of physical evidence and consists of objects that were involved in a case or actually played a part in the incident or transaction in question. Examples include the written contract, the defective part, the murder weapon, the gloves used by an alleged murderer. Trace evidence, such as fingerprints and firearm residue, is a species of real evidence. Admission of real evidence requires authentication, a showing of relevance, and a showing that the object is in “the same or substantially the same condition” now as it was on the relevant date. An object of real evidence is authenticated through the senses of a witness or by circumstantial evidence called chain of custody.