What does circumstantial evidence mean?

Definitions for circumstantial evidence
cir·cum·stan·tial ev·i·dence

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word circumstantial evidence.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. circumstantial evidence, indirect evidencenoun

    evidence providing only a basis for inference about the fact in dispute

Wikipedia

  1. Circumstantial evidence

    Circumstantial evidence is evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact—such as a fingerprint at the scene of a crime. By contrast, direct evidence supports the truth of an assertion directly—i.e., without need for any additional evidence or inference. On its own, circumstantial evidence allows for more than one explanation. Different pieces of circumstantial evidence may be required, so that each corroborates the conclusions drawn from the others. Together, they may more strongly support one particular inference over another. An explanation involving circumstantial evidence becomes more likely once alternative explanations have been ruled out. Circumstantial evidence allows a trier of fact to infer that a fact exists. In criminal law, the inference is made by the trier of fact in order to support the truth of an assertion (of guilt or absence of guilt). Reasonable doubt is tied into circumstantial evidence as circumstantial evidence is evidence that relies on an inference, and reasonable doubt was put in place so that the circumstantial evidence against someone in a criminal or civil case may not be enough to convict someone fairly. Reasonable doubt is described as the highest standard of proof used in court and means that a juror can find the defendant guilty of the crime to a moral certainty. Therefore, the circumstantial evidence against someone may not be enough to convict, but it can contribute to other decisions made concerning the case.Testimony can be direct evidence or it can be circumstantial. For example, a witness saying that she saw a defendant stab a victim is providing direct evidence. By contrast, a witness who says that she saw the defendant enter a house, that she heard screaming, and that she saw the defendant leave with a bloody knife gives circumstantial evidence. It is the necessity for inference, and not the obviousness of a conclusion, that determines whether evidence is circumstantial. Forensic evidence supplied by an expert witness is usually treated as circumstantial evidence. For example, a forensic scientist may provide results of ballistic tests proving that the defendant’s firearm fired the bullets that killed the victim, but not necessarily that the defendant fired the shots. Circumstantial evidence is especially important in civil and criminal cases where direct evidence is lacking.

ChatGPT

  1. circumstantial evidence

    Circumstantial evidence is indirect evidence that implies something occurred, but does not directly prove it. It requires an inference or deduction to connect it to a conclusion of fact. Unlike direct evidence — which directly proves or disproves a specific fact or event, like an eyewitness testimony — circumstantial evidence is used to establish the truth through reasoning or deduction based on the circumstances or facts surrounding the situation.

Wikidata

  1. Circumstantial evidence

    Circumstantial evidence is evidence in which an inference is required to connect it to a conclusion of fact, like a fingerprint at the scene of a crime. By contrast, direct evidence supports the truth of an assertion directly—i.e., without need for any additional evidence or the intervening inference. On its own, it is the nature of circumstantial evidence for more than one explanation to still be possible. Inference from one piece of circumstantial evidence may not guarantee accuracy. Circumstantial evidence usually accumulates into a collection, so that the pieces then become corroborating evidence. Together, they may more strongly support one particular inference over another. An explanation involving circumstantial evidence becomes more valid as proof of a fact when the alternative explanations have been ruled out. Circumstantial evidence allows a trier of fact to deduce a fact exists. In criminal law, the inference is made by the trier of facts in order to support the truth of assertion. Testimony can be direct evidence or it can be circumstantial. If the witness claims they saw the crime take place, this is considered direct evidence. For instance, a witness saying that the defendant stabbed the victim is direct evidence. By contrast, a witness who says that she saw the defendant enter a house, that she heard screaming, and that she saw the defendant leave with a bloody knife gives circumstantial evidence. It is the necessity for inference, and not the obviousness of a conclusion, that determines whether or not evidence is circumstantial.

Suggested Resources

  1. circumstantial evidence

    Read the full text of the Circumstantial Evidence poem by Ellis Parker Butler on the Poetry.com website.

How to pronounce circumstantial evidence?

How to say circumstantial evidence in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of circumstantial evidence in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of circumstantial evidence in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of circumstantial evidence in a Sentence

  1. Misty Marris:

    This all under the guise of those very, very damaging social media searches that really was that blueprint of his actions, according to prosecutors, this really put the puzzle together to show the story, which is what was needed in a circumstantial evidence case to establish probable cause.

  2. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff:

    Some employees working for Petrobras did engage in corruption or acts of corruption, the circumstantial evidence that is available from the prosecutors are pretty substantial.

  3. Henri Barkey:

    There is circumstantial evidence that people close to Fethullah Gulen were involved in the coup, but this was a coup that was not just related to Fethullah Gulen, but a coalition of different officers, each of whom had their own reasons to participate, it does n’t mean that Fethullah Gulen did have a hand, it does n’t mean that Fethullah Gulen did not. We don’t know.

  4. Ian Harrison:

    The whole of the circumstantial evidence satisfies me that Mr Dawson is dead, that Mr Dawson died on or about 8 January 1982, and that Mr Dawson did not voluntarily abandon Mr Dawson home, i'm satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the only rational inference that the circumstances enable me to draw is that Mr Dawson died or on about 8 January 1982 as the result of a conscious and voluntary act committed by Mr Dawson with the intention of causing Mr Dawson death.

  5. Ziv Cohen:

    That, again, is circumstantial evidence, but it could point to something that's more suggestive of intimate partner violence.


Translations for circumstantial evidence

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"circumstantial evidence." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/circumstantial+evidence>.

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