Exculpatory evidence is the evidence favorable to the defendant in a criminal trial, which clears or tends to clear the defendant of guilt. It is the opposite of inculpatory evidence, which tends to prove guilt.
In many countries such as the United States, police or prosecutor are not required to disclose to the defendant any exculpatory evidence they possess before the defendant makes a plea (guilty or not guilty). Per the Brady v. Maryland decision, prosecutors have a duty to disclose exculpatory evidence even if not requested. Though it is true that the prosecution is not required to search for exculpatory evidence and must only disclose the evidence it has in its possession, custody or control, the prosecution's duty to disclose includes all information known to any member of its team, e.g., police, investigators, crime lab, etc.
In Brady v. Maryland, the U.S. Supreme Court held that such a requirement follows from constitutional due process and is consistent with the prosecutor's duty to seek justice.
Read more about Exculpatory Evidence: Example
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