A witness statement form is a legal template where evidence is written, recorded and then authenticated by the person that the contents are true. It actually defines what a witness saw, heard or felt during an incident or crime which can change the entire course of interrogation. There are mainly two types of witness statement; one is voluntary witness statement and compelled witness statement. In voluntary statements, witnesses present in front of the law authorities and record or sign what he/she saw, heard or felt during a crime or incident, while in compelled statement, interrogation officers collect information from all witnesses.
Importance of Witness Statement:
Voluntary witness statements are admissible in the eyes of the court either oral or written. There are several other conditions which need to match while accepting statements. Like, it must be owned by a witness, either signed or oral, and it must include a declaration that all information provided here is true as per the best of his/her knowledge. While in the compelled statement, all answers by witnesses are true and based on facts as per his/her best knowledge and understanding. These statements must be presented to all the parties in the case before hearing. Apart from this statement, they will need to sign a declaration of truth as well.
Benefits of Witness Statement:
Well, it is a fact recording tool which is prepared by law enforcement agencies or police officers. However, it is a signed document filled by the witness to confirm everything he/she has seen at the crime scene. So, it is not an ordinary statement but a legitimate affidavit which explains all the content enclosed in it, which is actually based on real facts. As a matter of fact, it is a summary of the oral evidence and all details encompassed in this statement. Typically, an amount of information given by the witness at trial will be declared as a means of witness statement. Hence, in court, witnesses are often called by the judges to testify about the content they have observed.
Details of Witness Statement:
Notwithstanding, it is the most common segment of legal proceedings which is used in court during hearings as an alternative to a live statement, because it has accession to set out the evidence of the witness. In addition, it is a wise thing for cops to visually record as well as formally write a statement in advance what the eyewitness has said during a police trial or investigation. This format is used to give civil court evidence that a witness has seen, felt or heard. In like manner, the pivotal purpose of recording a witness statement is to keep the evidence in secure order, although when a party or person due to some issues regarding his/her personal problems, ethical values, and official reasons, cannot appear in court. The witness statement format is mostly used in the hearings of some criminal or terror-related cases, when the life of a witness may be at risk if he/she personally appears in court.
