Which category includes photographs and videos used to illustrate a scene?

• A. Documentary
• B. Demonstrative
• C. Testimonial
• D. Physical

Answer: (B)

Demonstrative evidence provides visual aids that help the trier of fact understand a scene. Photographs and videos are classic examples because they illustrate what the area looked like, how people were positioned, or how events unfolded, making testimony easier to visualize. They don’t prove that something happened on their own, but they support and clarify other evidence, providing context that aids judgment. For admissibility, they must be relevant and properly authenticated and must not be misleading or unduly prejudicial. This distinguishes them from documentary evidence, which consists of records and documents; testimonial evidence, which is spoken or written statements by a witness; and physical evidence, which are tangible items like weapons or fibers.