What does 'exculpatory evidence' refer to?

Exculpatory evidence specifically refers to any material or information that may clear a suspect of guilt or demonstrate their innocence in a criminal case. This type of evidence is crucial in the legal process as it can significantly influence the outcome of a trial by raising reasonable doubt about a defendant's culpability. For instance, if a defendant has an alibi backed by security footage showing them at a different location during the time of the crime, that footage would be considered exculpatory evidence.

The other options do not capture the essence of exculpatory evidence. Evidence that can prove guilt pertains to inculpatory evidence, not exculpatory. The notion of evidence that can silence a witness is irrelevant to its classification as exculpatory; it does not pertain to proving innocence or guilt directly. Lastly, evidence that cannot be used in court does not serve any purpose in a trial setting and cannot be considered exculpatory since it cannot be presented to support a defendant's case.