ABSTRACT
The term is commonly used by way of contrast with what may be described as evidence bearing directly on the main problem, and denotes evidence concerning, or consisting of, certain facts or factors which, so to say, surround the main event. For example, take the case of a theft. Perhaps the simplest illustration of inference from circumstantial evidence is the process of piecing together the parts of a picture puzzle. Inference from circumstantial evidence is a very common method of historical reconstruction, even apart from the unravelling of political crimes. The task of the political historian may be described as that of so utilizing the available evidence as to reconstruct by means of it the drama of the events in question. Inference from circumstantial evidence can be abundantly illustrated from the files of newspapers, and from political and literary histories.
