The investigator collects what to negate the defense's claims of an accused person's guilt?

To effectively counter the claims of a defense in a criminal investigation, an investigator seeks to gather corroborating evidence. This type of evidence serves to support the prosecution's case by confirming or supporting aspects of the evidence already presented, particularly relating to the guilt of the accused. It can bolster the reliability of witness statements, forensic findings, or other pieces of evidence that point towards the accused’s involvement in the crime.

Corroborating evidence enhances the overall strength of the case by providing additional proof that aligns with the narrative presented by the prosecution. For instance, if a witness claims to have seen the accused at the scene of a crime, corroborating evidence could include video footage or physical evidence that substantiates that claim.

Defensive evidence, on the other hand, is typically gathered to support arguments made by the defense in favor of the accused. Incriminating evidence, while essential for establishing guilt, does not directly negate the defense’s claims; rather, it supports the prosecution. Testimonial evidence, although valuable, refers specifically to statements made by witnesses and may not necessarily negate defenses unless it is corroborated by other evidence.