Evidence in its broadest sense includes everything that is used to determine ordemonstrate the truth of an assertion.
Giving or procuring evidence is the process of using those things that are either (a) presumed to be true, or (b) were themselves proven via evidence, to demonstrate an assertion’s truth.
Evidence is the currency by which one fulfills the burden of proof. Many issues surround evidence, making it the subject of muchdiscussion and disagreement.
In addition to its subtlety, evidence plays an important role in many academic disciplines, including science and law, adding to the discourse surrounding it.
An important distinction in the field of evidence is that between circumstantial evidence and direct evidence or evidence that suggests truth as opposed to evidence that directly proves truth.
Many have seen this line to be less-than-clear and significant arguments have arisen over the difference.
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character.
The direct opposite of truth is falsehood, which can correspondingly take logical, factual or ethical meanings.
Various theories and views of truth continue to be debated among scholars and philosophers.
There are differing claims on such questions as what constitutes truth; what things are truth bearers capable of being true or false; how to define and identify truth; the roles that revealed and acquired knowledge play; and whether truth is subjective or objective, relative or absolute.
Direct evidence supports the truth of an assertion (in criminal law, an assertion of guilt or of innocence) directly, i.e., without an intervening inference.
Circumstantial evidence by contrast, directly supports the truth of evidence, from which the truth of the assertion may be inferred.
The law of evidence encompasses the rules and legal principles that govern the proof of facts in a legal proceeding.
These rules determine what evidence can be considered by the trier of fact in reaching its decision and, sometimes, the weight that may be given to that evidence.