El Testigo Único En El Proceso Penal Colombiano: Coherencia Del Relato, Corroboración Periférica Y El Estándar De Prueba Más Allá De Toda Duda Razonable.

Abstract

This article claims to analyze the validity and limitations of convictions based on a single witness testimony in the Colombian criminal justice system, particularly in crimes where the victim is the primary or sole source of evidence. Through a doctrinal, jurisprudential, and analytical study, the criteria that must be met for a single testimony to constitute a reliable and sufficient source for a conviction are examined. The methodology includes an analysis of relevant judgments, as well as a review of legal doctrine and principles, to establish a rigorous standard of evaluation. The results demonstrate that Colombian jurisprudence allows for convictions based on a single witness, provided that the testimony withstands rational scrutiny and is supported by other evidence that reinforces its reliability. In conclusion, the article argues that a conviction based on a single witness testimony is legally legitimate if it meets the requirements of substantial coherence and peripheral corroboration, thus guaranteeing respect for the presumption of innocence and the rationality of the Colombian criminal justice system.