What type of evidence relies on inference rather than direct proof?

Circumstantial evidence is a type of evidence that relies on inference rather than direct proof. It refers to evidence that suggests a fact may be true based on the circumstances surrounding the case, without directly establishing it. For example, if someone is seen near a crime scene shortly after a crime occurs, this can infer that they might be involved, but it doesn't prove their involvement directly. Circumstantial evidence is vital in many cases because it helps build a narrative or context around the events in question, allowing a conclusion to be drawn based on the combination of various pieces of evidence and their logical connections.

In contrast, direct evidence would provide straightforward proof, such as eyewitness testimony that explicitly confirms an event occurred. Testimonial evidence consists of statements made by witnesses about what they observed, which can include direct evidence but is not limited to inference alone. Physical evidence encompasses tangible items that can be linked to the crime, like fingerprints or weapons, which also don't rely on inference in the way circumstantial evidence does.