Hearsay is generally inadmissible; to corroborate claims, you should use what approach?

• A. Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered as truth; corroborate with independent, admissible evidence
• B. Hearsay is inadmissible under all circumstances
• C. Hearsay can be used if it supports your theory
• D. Hearsay should be ignored in investigations

Answer: (A)

Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted, so it’s not reliable enough on its own to prove a claim. To corroborate a claim, you rely on independent, admissible evidence that can stand on its own. Gather sources like surveillance footage, time-stamped records, receipts, physical evidence, or testimonies from someone with firsthand knowledge who can be cross-examined. Use the hearsay statement only as a lead to find corroborating facts, not as proof itself. The other ideas—treating hearsay as always admissible, using it to prove your theory, or simply ignoring it—don’t provide a sound, credible basis for corroboration.