The POLICEMAN'S WORD

critical analysis of the evidence value and its influence on legal truth

Abstract

This study critically examines the evidentiary value attributed to police
testimony in Brazilian criminal proceedings, focusing on the influence of such testimony
in constructing legal truth. The police’s word, often used as the primary or sole evidence,
raises questions about the impartiality and presumption of truthfulness granted to these
statements. In this regard, the research aims to determine to what extent police
testimony alone suffices to substantiate convictions, addressing the issue of partiality
and the risks of decisions being based on a single state narrative. A qualitative and
exploratory methodology was adopted, supported by doctrinal review, jurisprudential
analysis, and practical case studies to understand the nuances and challenges
surrounding the use of police testimony as evidence in Brazilian criminal law. It was
found that although police testimony holds value within the evidentiary context, it
should be corroborated by other evidence to ensure fair judgments and avoid
convictions based solely on state agents' statements. The study proposes a careful
analysis of this type of evidence, emphasizing the need for a criminal justice system
rooted in principles of impartiality, the adversarial process, and ample defense,
alongside a critical approach to the evidentiary weight of police testimony. Additionally,
it is suggested that practices such as the use of body cameras may serve as a mechanism
for added control and validation, strengthening the construction of a more balanced
legal truth.