Types of Witnesses in Criminal Cases
1. Eye Witness (Direct Witness)
Person who personally saw or heard the occurrence.
Considered most reliable if trustworthy.
Example: A person who saw a murder being committed.
2. Expert Witness
Provides opinion based on expertise (not personal knowledge).
Covered under Ss. 45–51 BSA.
Includes:
Doctors (postmortem, injury report)
Forensic experts (fingerprints, DNA, handwriting, cyber evidence)
Ballistics expert
Example: A doctor testifying about cause of death.
3. Hostile Witness
A witness who changes statement or gives testimony against the party that called him.
Can be cross-examined by the calling party.
Example: Prosecution witness suddenly supports the accused in court.
4. Child Witness
A minor giving testimony.
Admissible if court finds witness is of sufficient maturity and understands truth.
Example: A 10-year-old who saw a theft.
5. Interested Witness
Witness having personal interest in outcome of case (relative, friend, enemy).
Courts treat such testimony with caution.
Example: Victim’s brother testifying against accused.
6. Police Witness
Police officer who investigated the case.
Can testify about seizures, recovery, arrest, confessions before magistrate, etc.
Example: IO (Investigating Officer) describing recovery of weapon.
7. Independent Witness
A neutral person with no interest in outcome.
Considered highly reliable.
Example: A passerby who saw an accident.
8. Stock / Chance Witness
A person who happens to witness incident by chance, not intentionally present.
Example: A tea vendor witnessing a street fight.
9. Accomplice Witness (Approver)
A person involved in the crime but turns state witness (under pardon).
His evidence needs corroboration.
Example: Co-accused testifying against other criminals.
10. Panch / Mahazar Witness
Witness to seizure, search, recovery, panchnama.
Independent, but often controversial as police choose them.
Example: Shopkeeper signing seizure memo of narcotics.
11. Character Witness
Testifies about character of accused or victim.
Relevant in sentencing, defamation, matrimonial cases.
Example: Employer testifying about accused’s good conduct.
12. Summary Witness List
| Type of Witness | Role / Example |
| Eye Witness | Saw/heard the crime directly |
| Expert Witness | Doctor, forensic, cyber expert |
| Hostile Witness | Changes statement in court |
| Child Witness | Minor but competent to testify |
| Interested Witness | Relative/friend with vested interest |
| Police Witness | Investigating officer / seizure witness |
| Independent Witness | Neutral, unbiased witness |
| Chance Witness | Present by coincidence |
| Accomplice / Approver | Co-accused turned state witness |
| Panch Witness | Witness to recovery/search/seizure |
| Character Witness | Speaks about reputation of accused/victim |
Key Point:
Courts value quality of witness, not quantity. Even one reliable witness is enough for conviction. (Illustrated in State of UP v. Krishna Master, SC).
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