ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on two particular topics within the law of evidence that are often labelled ‘suspect’ or ‘hazardous’: uncorroborated evidence and identifi cation evidence. These areas have been treated by the courts with particular caution since they are regarded as considerably less reliable than other types of evidence. As will become apparent in the course of this chapter, recent shifts towards broader freedom of proof have meant that suspect evidence – like hearsay and bad character – is now much more readily admissible in court. In practice, it is generally recognised that on many occasions such evidence may be highly relevant. Thus the general rule is that suspect evidence will be admissible, but, in practice, may be accompanied by some form of judicial warning to the jury.
