Two types of evidence?

• A. Real and hypothetical
• B. Direct and circumstantial
• C. Physical and digital
• D. Primary and secondary

Answer: (B)

Direct and circumstantial evidence describe how a fact is established in a case. Direct evidence proves a fact on its own, without needing any inference. Think of a witness who saw the crime and can testify to exactly what happened, or a video recording showing the act. Circumstantial evidence requires reasoning to connect the dots; it points to a fact by showing other facts that, taken together, imply the conclusion. For example, finding a suspect’s fingerprint at the scene and establishing their opportunity and motive can lead you to infer that they committed the act, even if there isn’t a single eyewitness account.

Both types can be compelling, depending on how strong the inferences are and how credible the evidence is. The other pairings aren’t standard ways to categorize how evidence proves a fact: real and hypothetical isn’t a legitimate evidentiary classification; physical and digital describe formats or forms of evidence rather than the relationship to the fact being proven; and primary and secondary refer to sources or how evidence is obtained, not to the fundamental distinction between proving a fact directly versus through inference.