What is "direct evidence"?

Direct evidence refers to testimony or evidence that directly establishes a fact in a case without needing any inference or assumption. This type of evidence is usually firsthand accounts from witnesses who were present during the event in question. In this scenario, testimony from a witness who observed the event provides a clear, direct link to the facts being presented, allowing the court to consult credible firsthand accounts rather than relying on interpretation or additional reasoning.

This contrasts with other types of evidence, such as documentation, which may require further interpretation or context to be understood completely. Circumstantial evidence consists of facts that suggest a conclusion but do not directly prove it, relying on an indirect association. Expert analysis, while valuable, usually involves providing context or opinion based on complex interpretations of the evidence, rather than straightforward observation. Thus, the direct nature of eyewitness testimony makes it a fundamental form of evidence in judicial settings.