By Ela Matters Staff 
The year 2024 became the deadliest year for US law enforcement, with the rise of police brutality, resulting to the death of 1,173 people. It feels worse for the families of the victims for losing their loved ones due to police actions.
Families want answers—and justice—when they believe the death could have been avoided. For these cases, the evidence is most important to prove what really happened. These should include everything from body camera footage and witness statements to expert reports and medical records.
Forensic evidence firmly establishes the facts, while police internal reports explain the procedure followed. A wrongful death by police lawyer can also help gather essential evidence and build a strong defense for you.
Let’s find out the kind of evidence you need in police wrongful death cases to uncover the truth.
Eyewitness Testimonies
Witness testimonies are critical in police wrongful death cases. The details in your testimony as a witness may shed light on the actual happenings of the event. Your observation may clarify the sequence of events and hamper the investigation. Your view, however small, is part of the collective understanding of the event.
However, memories differ, and within a few hours or days, they may streamline some crucial details. So speak up if you have anything to say as your voice will promote a sense of community among your peers.
Upholding your responsibility to voice the truth is the foundation of justice and establishes community solidarity for others confronted by the same tragedy. Bear in mind though that in some states like Connecticut, only a duly appointed representative of an estate has the legal capacity to file a wrongful death complaint or claim.
Even though you have eyewitness testimonies, you still need someone who has the legal rights to initiate the claim.
Video and Audio Recordings
Eyewitness accounts are deemed the most credible at times, but in situations of police wrongful death, video and audio recordings do serve as absolute evidence. Recordings have the power to capture crucial moments, which human minds might misinterpret.
Watching body camera footage or security videos enhances this understanding of events as they unfolded. Audio recordings can capture crucial conversations and commands, providing context that would otherwise go unnoticed. These recordings maintain accountability and truth in a world that values clarity.
They served as a profound reminder that we should serve justice based on facts, not the viewpoint of any party. When relying on such evidence, you are supporting a culture that carries truth and transparency.
Forensic Evidence
The forensic evidence plays a significant part in wrongful death by law enforcement cases, providing scientific data in support of or in repudiation of police testimony. Among the types of evidence, there might be ballistics, DNA analysis, and toxicology.
They tend to present key details of the occurrence. Examining the forensic evidence would enable you to explain what occurred regarding the event. For example, ballistics could demonstrate whether the force used was legal or not.
DNA could also inform whether the victim interacted with the implicated officers. Interpretation of this evidence would assist in comprehending the variables constituting the case, fighting for justice, and giving a voice to those affected.
Internal Police Reports
Internal police reports constitute an essential source of information in wrongful-death cases due to law enforcement personnel. These documents disclose what law enforcement officers did or failed to do in the incident.
There are timelines of events, statements of witnesses, and observations of officers, which all constitute an outline for ascertaining the circumstances under which the event occurred. Review these reports for any inconsistencies or procedural violations that could have led to wrongful death. The reports explain which policies and training officers followed.
Examining these reports is a critical step in holding law enforcement officers accountable and making justice a priority within your community. Knowing such evidence makes a person feel included and empowered through this trial.
Expert Witness Analysis
Expert witness analysis establishes the grounds for claims in wrongful death cases involving the police. Knowing the use of force, forensic science, or law enforcement policies, these experts lend credibility to your case.
They shed light on complicated matters so that the jury can perceive the circumstances of the death more clearly.