How is evidence best defined?

The best definition of evidence is the amount of information indicating whether a belief is fact. This definition captures the essence of what evidence represents in various contexts, including legal and scientific settings. Evidence encompasses a broad range of information that supports or undermines a claim, hypothesis, or belief, which is crucial in determining the validity of arguments or assertions.

While specific items found at crime scenes are indeed a form of physical evidence, this definition is narrower and does not encompass the entirety of what evidence can be. Evidence can also include testimonials, data, and various forms of information that collectively indicate whether something is factual or not.

Moreover, stating that evidence is only written documents submitted to court fails to recognize the diverse types of evidence that can be presented in legal proceedings, such as audio recordings, photographs, and physical items. Similarly, limiting evidence to anything blood-related is overly specific and doesn't capture the broader concept of evidence in general terms. Overall, an understanding that evidence is fundamentally about the information supporting beliefs gives a more comprehensive view applicable in various fields.