secure evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"secure evidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to obtain or gather evidence in a reliable and safe manner. You can use it in any situation where you need to describe the action of obtaining evidence. Example: The detective worked tirelessly to secure evidence that would prove the suspect's guilt in the murder case.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Henry G. Miller, a lawyer for Con Edison, said that an independent company, Evidence Security Inc., had been hired to secure evidence found at the scene.

The New York Times

Without proper training and equipment to secure evidence, the police rely on torture to secure confessions.

The New York Times

"It seems that the release took longer … because the police wanted to secure evidence for arrests," Westgate said.

The Guardian

Durmaz killed himself during a police raid in Gaziantep on 19 May, and Turkish police were able to secure evidence of his communications from his computer.

The Guardian

In a brief walk through the new laboratory, Dr. Brettell pointed out gleaming new equipment and ranks of secure evidence bays.

The New York Times

The fourth category includes affidavits, which can be used "only in rare circumstances when the state is unable to secure evidence of citizenship" from other sources.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The Untouchables' infiltration of the underworld secured evidence that helped send Capone to prison for income-tax evasion in 1932.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The undercover police operation into the Liberal MP Cyril Smith and a member of the intelligence services was scrapped shortly after detectives moved to make arrests after securing evidence of abuse, a police source told BBC's Newsnight programme.

The Guardian

It not only alerts your friends, but also secures evidence and broadcasts a time-stamped video recording to them and sends them a map with your location.

TechCrunch

In hopes of securing evidence that even Samsung's customers mistake its products for iPhones and iPads, Apple has requested that Samsung turn over records of customer service calls where one company's products were confused with the other's.

TechCrunch

The service (has both a free version, and a premium version which costs $2 per month or $20 yearly) alerts your friends or family when you hit the panic button on the app, but also secures evidence and broadcasts a time-stamped video recording to them and sends them a map with your location.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose "secure evidence" when you want to emphasize not just obtaining evidence, but also ensuring its safety and admissibility.

Common error

Avoid using "secure evidence" in casual contexts where simply "finding" or "obtaining" evidence would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure evidence" functions primarily as a verb followed by a noun, indicating an action performed on an object. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase implies taking actions to obtain evidence in a safe and reliable way.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secure evidence" is a valid and understandable English phrase that refers to the act of obtaining and protecting evidence, as indicated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound, with a structure of verb + noun, predominantly appearing in contexts like news reports, science, and encyclopedias. While the phrase is appropriate for formal contexts, it should be used judiciously in casual settings. Alternatives like "obtain evidence" or "gather evidence" may be more suitable depending on the context. When using "secure evidence", remember that its intent is to ensure both the collection and preservation of evidence for legal or investigative purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain evidence

Focuses on the act of getting evidence, without necessarily emphasizing its safety.

gather evidence

Highlights the process of collecting evidence, similar to obtain but less formal.

collect evidence

Similar to "gather evidence", emphasizing the accumulation aspect.

acquire evidence

Formal alternative, implying a more deliberate and methodical process.

procure evidence

More formal and less common than "acquire evidence".

preserve evidence

Emphasizes maintaining the integrity of the evidence, shifting the focus slightly.

protect evidence

Focuses on preventing damage or loss of evidence.

safeguard evidence

Highlights the act of keeping evidence safe and protected.

corroborate evidence

This focuses on confirming validity of the evidence not on acquiring it.

unearth evidence

Implies discovering evidence that was previously hidden or difficult to find.

FAQs

What does "secure evidence" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "secure evidence" refers to the process of obtaining and preserving evidence in a way that ensures its admissibility in court. This involves following strict protocols to maintain the chain of custody and prevent contamination or tampering.

What are some alternatives to "secure evidence"?

You can use alternatives like "obtain evidence", "gather evidence", or "collect evidence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How is "secure evidence" different from "collect evidence"?

"Secure evidence" implies a focus on both obtaining the evidence and ensuring its safety and integrity, while "collect evidence" simply refers to the act of gathering evidence without necessarily emphasizing its preservation.

Is it better to "secure evidence" or to "find evidence"?

The choice between "secure evidence" and "find evidence" depends on the context. If you are emphasizing the process of ensuring the evidence is safe and admissible, "secure evidence" is more appropriate. If you are simply referring to the act of discovering evidence, "find evidence" may be sufficient.