Circumstantial
Circumstantial evidence describes information that doesn't directly connect a defendant to a crime but implies connection to it. Examples of circumstantial evidence include:
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An eyewitness account stating that the defendant was in the vicinity of a crime around the time it occurred
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Fingerprints at the scene of a crime taken from a location where the defendant would be present anyway, such as at their home or workplace
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A witness claim that the defendant stated threats or said they would commit the crime before it occurred
These examples don't directly prove that a defendant is guilty, but they provide background or context to a crime. Attorneys often rely on circumstantial evidence if direct evidence isn't available or compile a timeline of a crime.