evidence in a trial which is not directly from an eyewitness or participant and
requires some reasoning to prove a fact. There is a public perception that such
evidence is weak ("all they have is circumstantial evidence"), but the probable
conclusion from the circumstances may be so strong that there can be little doubt
as to a vital fact ("beyond a reasonable doubt" in a criminal case, and "a preponderance
of the evidence" in a civil case). Particularly in criminal cases, "eyewitness"
("I saw Frankie shoot Johnny") type evidence is often lacking and may be unreliable,
so circumstantial evidence becomes essential. Prior threats to the victim, fingerprints
found at the scene of the crime, ownership of the murder weapon, and the accused
being seen in the neighborhood, certainly point to the suspect as being the killer,
but each bit of evidence is circumstantial.
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