What is the principle of "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree"?

The principle of "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree" refers specifically to the legal doctrine that any evidence obtained as a result of illegal search or seizure is also tainted and, therefore, inadmissible in court. This principle is grounded in the idea that if the initial evidence (the "tree") is the result of police misconduct or a violation of an individual’s rights, then any subsequent evidence (the "fruit") that derives from that illegal action cannot be used to prosecute a case. This doctrine aims to deter law enforcement from engaging in misconduct by ensuring that they cannot benefit from their illegal actions.

In contrast, evidence that is obtained legally, or materials that have no connection to misconduct, would not fall under this principle, as they do not result from any wrongdoing. Additionally, witness statements might not be affected by this principle unless they were obtained through coercive means or other forms of police misconduct, highlighting the specific focus of the "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree" doctrine on how initial evidence was acquired.