V.   Occurrence

Inferential (or circumstantial) evidence is any evidence “inferred” through the application of the tools of Logic and Reason based on prevailing physical and/or testimonial evidence.

The validity and therefore admissibility of Inferential evidence relevant to an Argument is dependent upon four (4) major qualities being Induction, Reduction, Deduction, Conclusion, namely:

(i) Induction is the derivation of general principles from specific instances of at least three (3) forms of Physical Evidence and / or Testimonial Evidence; and

(ii) Reduction is the logical elimination of possible alternatives to the conclusion derived from Induction to validate the Inductive conclusion is sound; and

(iii) Deduction is the testing of both induction and reduction conclusions by the determination of a conclusion from existing known truths; and

(iv) Conclusion is a summary of all three (3) methods of Induction, Reduction and Deduction to validate the consistency of any postulation.

Unlike Physical Evidence and Testimonial Evidence, the existence of Inferential Evidence is mandatory in any legal argument as the application of inference in accordance with these Canons ensures the integrity and correct interpretation of the other forms of evidence.

The absence of any valid Inferential Evidence, negates the validity of all other claimed evidence.