evidence
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evidence
An object, statement, or document that is used in a legal proceeding, for example in court, to prove or disprove the truth of a claim.
Die Polizei sicherte am Tatort wichtige Beweismittel, darunter die Tatwaffe und Fingerabdrücke.
The police secured important evidence at the crime scene, including the murder weapon and fingerprints.
The word is made up of 'Beweis' (proof/evidence) and 'Mittel' (means/tool). So it is literally a means or tool with which one can prove something.
Das Gericht muss die vorgelegten Beweismittel prüfen.
The court must examine the evidence presented.
In a legal context, this noun is often used with certain verbs, for example 'Beweismittel sichern' (to secure evidence), 'Beweismittel sammeln' (to collect evidence), or 'Beweismittel vorlegen' (to present evidence).
Die Staatsanwaltschaft legte neue Beweismittel vor.
The public prosecutor's office presented new evidence.
This word belongs almost exclusively to the specialized language of the justice system and the police. It is used in contexts such as court proceedings, police investigations, or criminal cases.
Ohne eindeutige Beweismittel kann der Angeklagte nicht verurteilt werden.
Without clear evidence, the defendant cannot be convicted.
proof / evidence
A Beweis is the established confirmation of a claim, whereas a Beweismittel is the specific object, statement, or document that provides it. Use Beweis for the result and Beweismittel for the means that supports that result.
Das unterschriebene Geständnis wurde im Verfahren als Beweismittel vorgelegt.
The signed confession was submitted as evidence in the proceedings.
Das Geständnis war der entscheidende Beweis für seine Schuld.
The confession was the decisive proof of his guilt.
