Define: Circumstantial Evidence

Circumstantial Evidence
Circumstantial Evidence
Quick Summary of Circumstantial Evidence

Circumstantial evidence or indirect evidence is not based on actual personal knowledge or observation of the facts, but is evidence which is used to draw inferences. It is possible to obtain a conviction with the use of circumstantial evidence if it is backed up by corroborating evidence and other factual information.

For example, a criminal trial may include information from a witness who arrived at a murder scene to see another person holding a bloody knife. Although the person holding the knife could have committed the murder they also could have arrived on the scene after the crime had occurred and simply picked up the knife. It could have been after they picked up the knife that the witness arrived at the scene. The witness may at that time assume the defendant committed the murder, but they did not actually witness the event. Corroborating evidence may be needed from another source such as an eye witness to the crime to prove the person holding the knife actually killed the victim.

What is the dictionary definition of Circumstantial Evidence?
Dictionary Definition of Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that proves a fact by means of an inference. For example, from the evidence that a person was seen running away from the scene of a crime, a judge or jury may infer that the person committed the crime.

n. evidence in a trial which is not directly from an eyewitness or participant and requires some reasoning to prove a fact. There is a public perception that such evidence is weak (“all they have is circumstantial evidence”), but the probable conclusion from the circumstances may be so strong that there can be little doubt as to a vital fact (“beyond a reasonable doubt” in a criminal case, and “a preponderance of the evidence” in a civil case). Particularly in criminal cases, “eyewitness” (“I saw Frankie shoot Johnny”) type evidence is often lacking and may be unreliable, so circumstantial evidence becomes essential. Prior threats to the victim, fingerprints found at the scene of the crime, ownership of the murder weapon, and the accused being seen in the neighbourhood, certainly point to the suspect as being the killer, but each bit of evidence is circumstantial.

Full Definition Of Circumstantial Evidence

Circumstantial evidence is used in civil and criminal cases where direct evidence is not present in the case. Circumstantial evidence is defined as indirect evidence and requires that other supporting evidence be present for circumstantial evidence to be accepted in a court of law during a criminal case.

Circumstantial evidence falls under Title 18 of the United States Code of criminal procedure and is the criminal and penal code set forth by the Federal Government. The code deals with federal crimes and criminal procedure. There can be some situations where the evidence presented in these types of cases that may prove guilt on the part of the defendant but this indirect evidence does not provide enough information to support a guilty verdict. In criminal cases, circumstantial evidence is used to prove guilt or innocence with reasoning.

Other Types Of Evidence

In a criminal court case, there are various factors that must be provided in the case for the defendant to be found guilty. Other types of evidence used in criminal court cases include the following:

  • demonstrative evidence
  • testimony
  • documentary evidence
  • physical evidence
  • digital evidence
  • exculpatory evidence
  • scientific evidence

Why Circumstantial Evidence Is Difficult To Prove

Circumstantial evidence is difficult to prove in a criminal case because it is indirect evidence. It is easier to prove direct evidence in a case because this type of evidence is more powerful in front of a jury. Direct evidence includes eyewitness accounts, where witnesses testify in court that they saw the defendant commit the crime. Circumstantial evidence includes one or more of the following:

  • making threats
  • finding fingerprints at the scene of a crime
  • the accused in the case was seen in the vicinity of the crime when the crime was committed
  • blood analysis
  • DNA analysis

On the other side of things, circumstantial evidence is extremely strong in a criminal court case because it is hard to suppress or fabricate. In some court cases, eyewitness testimony can be inaccurate at times because it is difficult for some people to recall what occurred at the scene of a crime months later.

Other types of circumstantial evidence used in criminal cases include videotapes, sound recordings, and photographs. To lay the foundation for circumstantial evidence there must be a witness present, such as the police officer who found the evidence at the scene of the crime. That witness will provide direct testimony, but that testimony could create credibility problems, much like an eye witness does in a criminal case.

Circumstantial Evidence FAQ'S

Circumstantial evidence is evidence that indirectly proves a fact or conclusion through inference based on other facts or circumstances.

Circumstantial evidence requires inference or deduction to establish a fact, while direct evidence directly proves the fact without the need for inference.

Yes, circumstantial evidence is admissible in court, and it can be powerful and persuasive if it establishes a logical connection between the known facts and the ultimate fact in dispute.

Circumstantial evidence is evaluated based on its strength, relevance, consistency, and the logical inferences that can be drawn from it. Courts consider whether the evidence, when viewed as a whole, supports a reasonable conclusion.

Yes, circumstantial evidence alone can establish guilt in a criminal case if it proves the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The law treats circumstantial and direct evidence equally if they lead to the same reasonable conclusion.

Some examples of circumstantial evidence are:

  • Motive and opportunity
  • Fingerprints or DNA found at the crime scene
  • Footprints or tire tracks matching those of the suspect
  • Presence of the defendant’s personal belongings at the scene
  • Witness testimony about the defendant’s behaviour before or after the alleged crime

Yes, circumstantial evidence can be challenged or rebutted by presenting alternative explanations, contradictory evidence, or arguments attacking the inference drawn from the circumstantial evidence.

In some jurisdictions, juries may receive instructions emphasizing the need for caution when considering circumstantial evidence and reminding them to evaluate the evidence as a whole, considering all the circumstances of the case.

The weight given to circumstantial evidence varies depending on the circumstances of the case, the strength of the evidence, and the persuasiveness of the inferences that can be drawn from it.

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Disclaimer

This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

This glossary post was last updated: 28th March, 2024.

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