Which of the following is a characteristic of physical evidence?

Physical evidence is defined as any tangible item that can be collected at a crime scene and used to support or refute a hypothesis about what occurred during the crime. It includes objects such as fingerprints, blood samples, weapons, and textiles. This type of evidence is objective, meaning it exists independently of personal feelings or opinions.

The value of physical evidence lies in its ability to establish connections or links between a suspect, victim, and the crime scene, often providing crucial information that can corroborate or contradict witness statements or other forms of evidence. This characteristic is critical in creating a factual basis for legal proceedings and helps to build a more reliable narrative of events surrounding the crime.

In contrast, other options focus on aspects that are not applicable to physical evidence. For instance, relying solely on witness accounts undermines objectivity, and a subjective nature would detract from the reliability expected from physical evidence. Similarly, while circumstantial evidence can support conclusions, it does not hold the same weight as direct physical evidence in linking individuals to a crime, which reinforces why physical evidence is often seen as more compelling in investigations and court cases.