What type of evidence is described as being provided by eyewitnesses?

The type of evidence that is provided by eyewitnesses is classified as direct evidence. This is because direct evidence consists of facts that directly support the truth of a statement or fact being asserted in a legal proceeding without the need for inference or presumption. When an eyewitness testifies about what they personally observed—such as seeing an event occur or identifying a person—they provide information that directly relates to the matter in question.

In contrast, circumstantial evidence relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact. For example, finding a suspect's fingerprint at a crime scene is circumstantial and requires further evidence to establish a direct link. Testimonial evidence, while it encompasses statements made under oath, is a broader category that includes both direct and circumstantial elements. Documentary evidence refers specifically to documents like contracts or letters that can support claims in legal proceedings. Therefore, direct evidence is the most accurate descriptor for eyewitness testimony, reinforcing the idea that it conveys firsthand accounts of events.