Which type of evidence is defined as something that proves a fact if it is true?

Direct evidence is defined as evidence that directly proves a fact without the need for any inference or presumption. This type of evidence provides a straightforward connection to a fact in question, such as a witness testimony that states they saw the crime occur or a video recording of the event. Essentially, if the evidence is accepted as true, it definitively establishes the fact being contested in a legal situation.

In contrast, circumstantial evidence requires a jury or judge to make inferences beyond the evidence presented. Physical evidence and class evidence also serve important roles in forensic science but do not serve to directly prove facts in the same clear manner as direct evidence does. Physical evidence, while tangible and valuable, can still rely on context and additional information to form conclusions, whereas class evidence often links an item to a group rather than an individual, requiring further evidence for individualization.