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

Testimonial evidence is considered the least reliable type of evidence largely due to the inherent fallibility of human memory. When witnesses recall events, their memories can be influenced by various factors such as stress, the passage of time, exposure to misleading information, or even their own biases and perceptions. This can lead to inaccuracies in what individuals remember and report about an incident.

Unlike physical evidence, which consists of tangible items that can be tested and verified (like fingerprints or DNA), or circumstantial evidence that, while it can suggest a conclusion, does not directly prove it (like finding a suspect's belongings at a crime scene), testimonial evidence directly relies on the subjective memory of a person. This subjectivity is what makes it vulnerable to errors and misinterpretations.

Class evidence, while not as conclusive as individual evidence, still holds validity based on its common characteristics shared among a group. Thus, the reliability of testimonial evidence is significantly compromised compared to other types, which can be more objectively assessed.