What type of evidence allows one to draw a conclusion without directly establishing a fact?

Circumstantial evidence is a type of evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion about a fact. It does not directly establish the fact in question but allows one to deductively reason about it based on the circumstances surrounding a case. For example, if a person was seen near a crime scene around the time that a crime was committed, that observation doesn’t prove they committed the crime; however, it circumstantially suggests they may have been involved. This is distinct from direct evidence, which provides direct proof of a fact, like a witness testimony of seeing the crime occur.

Physical evidence refers to tangible objects presented in court, while testimonial evidence is based on statements made by witnesses. Neither of these types provides the underlying inferential relationship that circumstantial evidence does, leading to drawing conclusions without directly proving a fact.