What does circumstantial evidence help to indicate?

Circumstantial evidence plays a crucial role in legal and investigative contexts as it provides indirect facts that lead to conclusions about other facts. Unlike direct evidence, which offers straightforward proof of a claim, circumstantial evidence requires inference and reasoning to connect the dots between different pieces of information. This type of evidence can suggest a likelihood or probability regarding the main issue at hand, helping to build a case even when concrete proof is lacking.

For example, if a person is seen leaving a crime scene with wet clothes after a rainstorm, this fact alone does not directly prove that they committed the crime. However, when combined with other circumstantial evidence, such as fingerprints found at the scene or video footage showing their departure, it contributes to a narrative that can support or weaken a hypothesis about their involvement.

Overall, circumstantial evidence is valuable because it helps to establish a pattern or context, allowing for thoughtful conclusions to be drawn based on a variety of related facts rather than relying solely on direct observations or straightforward truths.