What is circumstantial evidence?

Circumstantial evidence refers to indirect evidence that does not directly prove a fact but instead requires a person to infer the truth based on the presented evidence. This type of evidence can suggest or imply a conclusion rather than outright stating or demonstrating it. For example, finding someone's fingerprints at a crime scene can lead to the conclusion that the person was present, but it does not directly show that they committed a crime.

The other choices do not accurately characterize circumstantial evidence. Direct evidence directly supports a fact without needing inference, while obsolete documentation is simply out-of-date information that may not be relevant. Statements made in court usually pertain to witness accounts or testimony, which can be direct or circumstantial but are not inherently defined as circumstantial evidence in themselves. Hence, the definition that focuses on indirect evidence requiring inference correctly identifies circumstantial evidence.