Anyone required to manage evidence is faced with the challenge of introducing the benefit of the doubt in all cases. It is not always necessary to rely on that, because more often than not, we have all the necessary evidence to render an enlightened decision. The principle of the benefit of the doubt is intended to help us where evidence is lacking and we have to rely on the credibility of the testimony and the reasonableness of the claim. That is where the benefit of the doubt comes into play.
On November 22nd, 2007. See this statement in context.