Which term describes evidence that may be admitted if taint has been purged?

Which term describes evidence that may be admitted if taint has been purged?

• A. It may be inadmissible
• B. Evidence so far removed from the wrong, it may be admissible
• C. Evidence that is self-incriminating
• D. A type of search tactic

Answer: (B)

Attenuation of taint is the concept behind admitting tainted evidence when taint has been purged. Under the attenuation doctrine, the link between illegal police conduct and the evidence can be weakened enough—through time, intervening events, or independent actions—so the evidence becomes admissible despite the initial wrongdoing. The description “evidence so far removed from the wrong, it may be admissible” captures this idea, emphasizing that sufficient distance from the illegal act can break the chain of taint. The other options don’t fit: tainted evidence isn’t automatically inadmissible when taint is purged, self-incrimination concerns are about different protections, and a search tactic has no bearing on taint or admissibility.

Attenuation of taint is the concept behind admitting tainted evidence when taint has been purged. Under the attenuation doctrine, the link between illegal police conduct and the evidence can be weakened enough—through time, intervening events, or independent actions—so the evidence becomes admissible despite the initial wrongdoing. The description “evidence so far removed from the wrong, it may be admissible” captures this idea, emphasizing that sufficient distance from the illegal act can break the chain of taint. The other options don’t fit: tainted evidence isn’t automatically inadmissible when taint is purged, self-incrimination concerns are about different protections, and a search tactic has no bearing on taint or admissibility.