What kind of evidence establishes a fact without needing to make inferences?

Direct evidence is the type of evidence that establishes a fact in a straightforward manner, without requiring any inferences or assumptions. This means that it provides clear and concrete proof of a fact. For example, eyewitness testimony that recounts exactly what was seen at a crime scene serves as direct evidence. Similarly, a video recording of an event is also considered direct evidence because it shows exactly what happened.

In contrast, indirect evidence, also known as circumstantial evidence, requires additional reasoning to connect it to the fact being established. For instance, finding a person's fingerprints at a crime scene does not directly prove that person committed a crime, but it suggests a possibility that requires further inference. Expert evidence, while valuable in providing insights based on specialized knowledge, often does not itself establish direct facts without further supporting evidence. Documentary evidence refers to any written or printed materials used as evidence, which can be classified as direct or indirect, depending on the context and content.