Article 32 hearings accommodate broad evidence introduction given investigative purposes and relaxed procedural rules. Documentary evidence commonly includes CID reports, laboratory results, medical records, and written statements. Physical evidence may be exhibited though formal chain of custody requirements are relaxed. Photographs, diagrams, and demonstrative aids help PHOs understand alleged events.
Testimonial evidence forms the hearing core, with government presenting key witnesses establishing probable cause. This typically includes victims, investigators, and essential corroborating witnesses. Character evidence normally inadmissible at trial may be introduced regarding disposition appropriateness. Expert witnesses occasionally testify on complex issues though formal qualification procedures are simplified.
Digital evidence increasingly dominates presentations including emails, text messages, social media posts, and electronic records. Video evidence from security cameras, body cameras, or personal devices provides powerful visual proof. Financial records, duty rosters, and administrative documents establish context and corroboration.
Defense evidence introduction depends on strategic decisions about revealing trial theories versus testing government evidence. Exculpatory witnesses, alibi evidence, and alternative suspect information may be presented. The informal setting permits hearsay evidence, investigative leads, and incomplete evidence chains. PHOs consider all reliable evidence regardless of technical admissibility rules, focusing on truth-seeking over procedural compliance.