interfering with evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interfering with evidence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to legal matters, investigations, or situations where evidence is being compromised. Example: "The suspect was charged with interfering with evidence during the police investigation." Alternative expressions include "tampering with evidence" and "obstructing evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Last week, prosecutors requested Kerviel's continued detention to prevent him from fleeing, interfering with evidence or contacting possible accomplices.

The Guardian - Business

No-one has ever been convicted of killing Mr McCartney, whose case came to international attention because of a campaign by his sisters, who blamed the IRA for murdering him and interfering with evidence and witnesses.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The corruption charges were based on allegations that Mr Anwar tampered with witnesses and interfered with evidence in the sodomy case," he said.

The Guardian

Bamber believes the findings support his allegations that police fabricated, suppressed and interfered with evidence in an attempt to frame him.

The Guardian

A former racehorse trainer tried to coach a witness by using his wife as a go-between to pass on information in an attempt to interfere with evidence during a disciplinary hearing.

The Times

Cowan acknowledged there were legitimate concerns about protecting Redstone's privacy but said "the court also does not want any sealing of records to interfere with what evidence may be received at trial that is by its nature public".

Los Angeles Times

In order to argue that autoinhibition works by interfering with lipid binding, evidence would be needed showing that (3) the phospho-C-terminal peptide interacts with the lipid-binding interface, and (4) that conservative mutations at the lipid-binding interface interfere with peptide binding and relieve autoinhibition of 4p-PTEN.

eLife

She's accused of making false statements, tampering with evidence, interfering with government property and violating her oath of office.

The Washington Post

According to the article, Nixon had been behind an elaborate conspiracy to cover up the crime by lying to investigators, withholding evidence, interfering with lawful investigations, paying "hush money," and trying to misuse the C.I.A.

The New Yorker

This decision was based on an assessment of risk that the officer, because of his position, could destroy, conceal or otherwise tamper with evidence, or interfere with the investigation.

Huffington Post

Trump's presidency has been plagued with an ongoing federal investigation into his presidential campaign's alleged ties to Russia, bolstered with evidence that Russia interfered with the 2016 election.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, utilize this phrase to describe how certain variables or inhibitors prevent a specific biological mechanism from occurring.

Common error

Do not confuse "interfering with" (impeding a thing or process) with "interfering in" (meddling in a situation). While you interfere in someone's business, you are "interfering with evidence" when you disrupt the physical or digital state of a proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interfering with evidence" functions as a complex noun phrase or a gerundial clause. It describes the action of compromising the validity of factual data. As validated by Ludwig, it typically serves as the object of a preposition (such as 'by') or the direct object of a verb (such as 'prevent').

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "interfering with evidence" is a robust and grammatically correct expression widely used in high-authority English sources. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility, showing that while it is most famous as a legal term associated with criminal obstruction and "tampering with evidence", it is equally prevalent in scientific discourse to describe the inhibition of biological or chemical processes. Whether reporting on a high-profile trial in The Guardian or describing data noise in Nature, this phrase effectively conveys the compromise of factual integrity. Writers should prioritize it for its precision and formal weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tampering with evidence

Refers more specifically to the physical alteration or falsification of proof.

obstructing an investigation

Broadens the scope to include interference with personnel or legal processes.

compromising evidence

Emphasizes the loss of integrity or contamination of the proof.

destroying evidence

A narrower term focusing on the permanent removal or deletion of files or items.

suppressing evidence

Used when proof is intentionally withheld or kept from being presented in court.

contaminating evidence

Specifically refers to the introduction of outside elements that ruin the sample's purity.

fabricating evidence

Describes the creation of false proof rather than the disruption of existing proof.

withholding information

Focuses on the failure to provide facts rather than active interference.

manipulating proof

Suggests a calculated reorganization or editing of data to suit a specific narrative.

altering a crime scene

A physical context focus referring to the disruption of an entire environment.

FAQs

How do I use "interfering with evidence" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe legal obstruction, such as: "The detective warned that anyone caught "interfering with evidence" would face severe penalties."

What is the difference between "interfering with evidence" and "tampering with evidence"?

While often used as synonyms, "tampering with evidence" often implies a more malicious or physical alteration, whereas "interfering with evidence" is a broader term covering any disruption of the process.

Can I say "obstructing evidence" instead?

It is less common than "interfering with evidence". A more natural alternative for legal contexts would be "obstructing an investigation" or "suppressing evidence".

Is "interfering with evidence" used in science?

Yes, in science it refers to a variable or substance that disrupts an outcome, such as "The presence of salt was "interfering with evidence" of protein crystallization in the sample."