What is documentary evidence?

Documentary evidence refers specifically to written documents that provide proof or support for facts in various contexts, including legal, investigative, or administrative scenarios. This form of evidence includes any physical document that can demonstrate the existence of a fact, such as contracts, written agreements, or official reports. In the context of an investigation within a Provincial Park, a written document could establish something critical, like permit compliance or environmental assessments, thus playing a vital role in demonstrating adherence to laws and regulations.

Witness statements, scientific reports, and photographs, while valuable, do not fall under the definition of documentary evidence. Witness statements are oral accounts provided by individuals, scientific reports offer detailed findings but might not always be in a traditional document format, and photographs serve as visual evidence rather than written proof. Each of these types of evidence contributes to building a comprehensive understanding of a situation, but documentary evidence is uniquely characterized by its written nature, which is essential for formal documentation and legal proceedings.