In the context of evidence, what characterizes circumstantial evidence?

• A. It is always physical evidence.
• B. It requires inference to prove a fact.
• C. It directly proves a fact with eyewitness testimony.
• D. It is always hearsay.

Answer: (B)

Circumstantial evidence is evidence that requires the fact-finder to draw an inference to prove a fact. It doesn’t prove the fact directly on its own. For example, finding a suspect’s fingerprint at the scene suggests they were present, and when combined with other facts, it helps establish guilt, but by itself it doesn’t directly prove that the suspect committed the crime. This type of evidence can be physical or based on testimony, but the key is that a reasonable inference is needed to connect the shown facts to the conclusion. In contrast, direct evidence would conclusively prove a fact (such as someone who actually witnessed the crime). Hearsay concerns the source of a statement rather than whether the evidence requires inference, so circumstantial evidence isn’t defined by hearsay status.