Which type of evidence cannot be based on hearsay?

Direct evidence is considered information that directly proves a fact without the need for any inference or presumption. This type of evidence is typically based on firsthand knowledge or direct observation, such as eyewitness testimony. Because direct evidence does not rely on second-hand accounts or interpretation, it cannot be based on hearsay, which is defined as statements made outside of the court that are offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted.

The other types of evidence, such as secondary, indirect, and primary, can involve elements that may draw on hearsay in some contexts, either by referencing information conveyed by someone else or by being interpreted through the lens of someone’s perspective or understanding. Thus, the nature of direct evidence inherently excludes hearsay by relying solely on what a witness personally experienced or witnessed.