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Spectral evidence in itself is not a belief, but stems from one. Puritans believed that witches sent out their 'spectors', sort of like a ghost of a living person, to afflict people and that those afflicted people could sometimes see the spector to identify the witch. Spectral evidence is the term used to describe using such identifications in legal proceedings.
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What two forms of evidence did new England courts recognize as proof that a person was a witch?
Two forms of evidence that New England courts recognized as proof that a person was a witch were spectral evidence and effluvia.
How would spectral evidence from Salem Witch Trials be viewed today as evidence?
Today it wouldn't be evidence. Police and judges today would assume that your were either lying or on drugs.
Who was the first person officially executed Salem witch trials?
Bridget Bishop. She was tried alone before they finished the debate over whether or not to use spectral evidence in court was finished because they had found what they figured was real evidence in her home and didn't need spectral evidence to make a case.
What is the political effects of the Salem witch trials?
The Salem witch trials gave a reason for the use of spectral evidence in trial to be banned in court, something that hadn't happened before.
How did people 'prove' that you were a witch back in the time?
Basically, by killing them. One test they used to determine wether someone was a witch or not was to tie up the accused person to a chair, and throw them into a body of water. If the person was a witch, they would free themselves and escape death. If not (which was invariably the case), they would drown. Most tests were like this; if they're a witch, they'll survive this for sure death sentence; if not, they're not a witch and they'll die. EDIT: There was no way to prove an accused witch's innocence in Salem. Witch tests like those detailed above were considered barbaric and the evidence of witchcraft and nonexistance of such were used to decide by the judges to decide on a verdict.
What two forms of evidence did new England courts recognize as proof that a person was a witch?
Two forms of evidence that New England courts recognized as proof that a person was a witch were spectral evidence and effluvia.
How would spectral evidence from Salem Witch Trials be viewed today as evidence?
Today it wouldn't be evidence. Police and judges today would assume that your were either lying or on drugs.
What is''spectral evidence?
what is spectral evidence Spectrum (spectral) refers to different frequencies of light associated with a substance.
What is spectral evidence?
what is spectral evidence Spectrum (spectral) refers to different frequencies of light associated with a substance.
Who was the first person officially executed Salem witch trials?
Bridget Bishop. She was tried alone before they finished the debate over whether or not to use spectral evidence in court was finished because they had found what they figured was real evidence in her home and didn't need spectral evidence to make a case.
What happened to somebody that denied being a witch during the salem witch trials?
They went on trial. And were probably found guilty. However, only 19 went on trial before the evidence that was used to justify arresting the accused, spectral evidence, was banned.
What was the main evidence against accused witches in the Salem Witch Trials?
Spectral Evidence. The afflicted claimed to be able to see the spirits of spectors of the witches and the ghosts of their victims. Of course, that was extremely insubstanial and after it was outlawed, convicts stopped.
What spectral evidence mean?
Spectral evidence is a rather unique word. It also has an interesting concept. Spectral evidence is basically a form of evidence that is based upon dreams and visions.It is when someone claimed to witness a person's spirit in a separate location from that same person's physical body.
What does spectral evidence mean?
Spectral evidence is a rather unique word. It also has an interesting concept. Spectral evidence is basically a form of evidence that is based upon dreams and visions.It is when someone claimed to witness a person's spirit in a separate location from that same person's physical body.
How would spectral evidence from Salem Witch Trials be viewed today as source of evidence?
It wouldn't be. If it can't be proven, it is too far beyond reasonable doubt to work with. It would be closest to witness testimony, but witnesses don't usually describe spirits.
What is the political effects of the Salem witch trials?
The Salem witch trials gave a reason for the use of spectral evidence in trial to be banned in court, something that hadn't happened before.
Who was the first accused witch to be brought to trail and what qualities did she have that made her a likely candidate in the Salem Witch Trials?
That would be Bridget Bishop. She was the first brought to trial because they couldn't use spectral evidence in court yet, which was the evidence on which most, if not nearly all, the accused were convicted and they only had normal "evidence" for Bishop. However, like all the victims, she cannot be connected by a series of traits of a single trait to the of accused. Accusations were sporadic.
