What type of evidence is least likely to be reliable due to memory issues?

Testimonial evidence is considered the least reliable type of evidence due to its heavy dependence on human memory and perception. When witnesses recount their experiences or observations, their statements can be influenced by various factors such as stress, trauma, biases, or even the passage of time. Memory can be fallible; it can distort details, create false memories, or overlook important information entirely. This variability can lead to inconsistencies in witness testimonies during investigations or court proceedings.

In contrast, physical evidence refers to tangible items collected from a crime scene, which can often be scientifically analyzed to provide objective results. Circumstantial evidence, while it may not directly prove a fact, still relies on the context and relationships between pieces of evidence, often contributing to a broader understanding of events. Class evidence, while it may be less specific than individual evidence, also possesses a level of reliability attributable to its basis in defined characteristics or categories. All these types of evidence have their strengths, but the subjective nature of memory in testimonial evidence makes it the least reliable.