What are the two important categories of evidence?

The two important categories of evidence are direct and circumstantial. Direct evidence is information that directly links a person to a crime or an event without the need for any inference or presumption. Examples of direct evidence include eyewitness testimony or a confession. Circumstantial evidence, on the other hand, does not directly prove a fact but instead provides a basis for inference. This type of evidence may require reasoning or deduction to connect it to a conclusion or fact related to the case; for example, finding a suspect's fingerprints at a crime scene serves as circumstantial evidence, suggesting that the suspect was present.

Understanding these categories is crucial in investigations and legal proceedings, as both types of evidence serve important roles in building a case. They can complement each other, with circumstantial evidence often strengthening a narrative constructed by direct evidence.