Which sensory perception is NOT typically used as personal knowledge in investigations?

In investigations, personal knowledge is grounded in reliable sensory perceptions that can be objectively experienced and verified. Smell, touch, and hearing are all sensory modalities that provide direct, tangible information to an investigator. They can be used to gather evidence or support findings based on real experiences. For example, smell can alert an investigator to the presence of substances like alcohol or chemicals, touch can help assess the condition of items or surfaces, and hearing can allow for the detection of sounds that might indicate specific events or activities.

Guessing, on the other hand, is not based on direct sensory perception but rather on conjecture or speculation. It lacks the confirmatory nature of the other senses, making it unreliable as personal knowledge in an investigative context. Investigators rely on information that can be substantiated through observation, rather than on assumptions or guesses. This distinction is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the investigation and ensuring that conclusions are drawn from factual evidence rather than uncertainty.