What is a key characteristic of documentary evidence in forensic science?

The key characteristic of documentary evidence in forensic science is that it encompasses any written or recorded material that is relevant to a legal case. This includes documents like contracts, emails, photographs, audio recordings, and videos, which can help establish facts, provide context, and support or refute claims made in a case. Documentary evidence is crucial because it can offer an objective account of events, as opposed to subjective interpretations often found in witness statements.

The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of documentary evidence. For instance, while physical objects such as weapons fall under physical evidence rather than documentary evidence, the focus here is on materials that convey information through forms of writing or recording. Additionally, the reliability of documentary evidence is not inherently tied to corroboration by testimonial evidence; instead, it can stand alone as important proof. Moreover, comparing its reliability to witness statements is misleading; both forms of evidence serve unique roles within an investigation, each possessing strengths in different contexts.