What is meant by "direct evidence"?

The term "direct evidence" refers to information presented in a court that directly supports a fact in question without the need for inference or additional reasoning. This type of evidence typically includes testimony from individuals who have firsthand accounts of the event being discussed. For instance, if a witness testifies that they saw a crime happen, that testimony is considered direct evidence because it directly speaks to the occurrence of the crime without relying on any external context or interpretation.

In contrast, the other concepts reflect different types of evidence: circumstantial evidence relies on indirect details and requires reasoning to connect them to the fact in issue; summaries provide an overview rather than specific details; and evidence needing further interpretation suggests it is not straightforward and might involve speculation or inference to understand its relevance. Thus, the essence of direct evidence is its straightforward nature that validates the claim being made.