What type of evidence proves a fact directly without inference or presumption?

Direct evidence is a type of evidence that directly establishes a fact without the need for any additional inference or presumption. It provides straightforward proof of a fact in question, such as an eyewitness account of an event or a video recording of an incident. For instance, if a witness testifies that they saw someone commit a crime, that statement serves as direct evidence because it directly supports the fact being established—the act of the crime itself.

This contrasts with circumstantial evidence, which relies on pointing to a conclusion through a series of indirect facts that suggest a certain outcome—this does not provide proof of the fact itself but rather allows for conclusions to be drawn based on the evidence presented. Similarly, while witness testimony can sometimes be classified as direct evidence when it is firsthand knowledge, it can also be circumstantial if it's based on assumptions or secondary observations. Documentary evidence refers to records or documents that can support claims, but they may also require further interpretation or context to establish the facts, distinguishing them from the clear straightforwardness of direct evidence.