Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) Practice Exam

What type of evidence tends to prove a fact at issue through inference?

1. Circumstantial Evidence

2. Direct Evidence

3. Physical Evidence

4. Digital Evidence

The correct answer is: Circumstantial Evidence

Circumstantial evidence refers to evidence that suggests a conclusion through inference but does not directly prove that conclusion. This type of evidence relies on the context or surrounding facts to imply that a particular fact is true. For example, if a person is seen leaving a building shortly after a crime occurs, circumstantial evidence could be used to infer that the person might be involved in the crime, though it does not directly prove their involvement. In contrast, direct evidence provides direct proof of a fact, such as eyewitness testimony or a video recording of the event. Physical evidence consists of tangible items that can be presented in court, such as fingerprints or weapons, and digital evidence includes data stored electronically, such as emails or recordings. Both physical and digital evidence can corroborate a fact but do not require inference in the way circumstantial evidence does.