altered evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "altered evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to legal discussions, investigations, or any situation where evidence has been modified or tampered with. Example: "The defense attorney argued that the prosecution's case was built on altered evidence, which undermined its credibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The independent panel investigating the Hillsborough tragedy in which 96 football fans died found that police had not only lied about what happened, they had deliberately altered evidence of those who tried to tell the truth.

The Guardian

They called his crime the "worst mistake of his life" and said he altered evidence "not to better his chances of winning the lawsuit or to enrich himself, but out of fear of embarrassment".

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Samdrup's lawyer, Pu Zhiqiang, complained that the trial was plagued by irregularities, including altered evidence and the sudden appearance on Wednesday of a mysterious witness.

The New York Times

Cecil's was the handwriting that (on one hitherto unexplored document) corrected the damningly altered evidence against Mary; Cecil it is who, in Guy's words, "should have hung his head in shame".

The Guardian - Books

The reporter, 53, was found to have altered evidence in the collapsed drugs trial of singer Tulisa Contostavlos.

BBC

She alleged in the first complaint, which was dismissed in May, that she was arrested in the 2009 incident based on a falsified police report and altered evidence.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

So it's not really altering evidence.

The New Yorker

And then altering evidence for removing the bandage from his eye to take a photo of it and then I placed it back.

The New Yorker

The decision was based on the gravity of the accusations against him, court officials told reporters, and a fear that he might alter evidence.

The New York Times

And then altering evidence for removing the bandage from his eye to take a photo of it and then I placed it back.

The New Yorker

And unlike a physical autopsy it does not alter evidence, enabling investigators to revisit a cadaver for additional clues if necessary.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "altered evidence", be specific about the nature of the alterations and their potential impact on the case or situation. Avoid vague statements that could be misinterpreted.

Common error

Don't automatically assume that "altered evidence" is evidence of guilt or wrongdoing. The alteration might be accidental, or there might be a legitimate explanation. Always investigate the reasons behind the alteration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "altered evidence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "altered" modifies the noun "evidence". This phrase is used to describe evidence that has undergone some form of change or modification, potentially affecting its validity or integrity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "altered evidence" is a noun phrase describing evidence that has been changed in some way, often raising concerns about its validity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, and science contexts. Alternative phrases include "tampered with evidence" and "manipulated evidence", each carrying slightly different connotations. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be precise about the nature of the alteration and avoid automatically assuming malicious intent. As confirmed by Ludwig, understanding the context and implications of "altered evidence" is key to using the term effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tampered with evidence

Emphasizes the act of interfering with the evidence.

manipulated evidence

Highlights the deliberate attempt to change evidence for a specific purpose.

fabricated evidence

Focuses on the creation of false evidence.

doctored evidence

Suggests evidence has been changed to deceive.

falsified evidence

Indicates the evidence has been made untrue or inaccurate.

corrupted evidence

Suggests damage or alteration that compromises the integrity of the evidence.

compromised evidence

Emphasizes that the evidence's reliability is questionable due to changes.

contrived evidence

Highlights the artificial or planned nature of the altered evidence.

distorted evidence

Implies the evidence has been twisted to present a misleading picture.

modified evidence

A more neutral term that simply indicates a change to the evidence, without necessarily implying wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "altered evidence" in a sentence?

You can use "altered evidence" to describe situations where evidence has been changed or tampered with. For example: "The defense argued that the prosecution's case relied on "tampered evidence"."

What's a good alternative to "altered evidence"?

Depending on the context, you might use "manipulated evidence", "falsified evidence", or "tampered with evidence".

What are the legal implications of "altered evidence"?

Altering evidence is a serious offense that can lead to severe legal consequences, including obstruction of justice charges and the dismissal of cases. It undermines the integrity of the legal process.

Is "altered evidence" always intentional?

No, "altered evidence" is not always intentional. It can also result from accidental damage, misinterpretation, or unintentional modification. However, even unintentional alteration can raise questions about the evidence's reliability.