Which of the following is NOT considered a type of evidence?

The correct answer is character references because they do not serve as direct evidence in a legal context. In the framework of criminal investigations and court proceedings, evidence is categorized into various types based on how it relates to the facts of a case. Physical evidence, testimonial evidence, and circumstantial evidence are all forms of evidence that can be objectively measured, observed, or presented in court.

Physical evidence includes tangible items that can be collected, such as fingerprints, weapons, or DNA. Testimonial evidence comes from witnesses who provide their accounts, either live or through written statements, about what they have seen or experienced. Circumstantial evidence refers to information that does not directly prove a fact but implies a conclusion or supports an inference, such as a suspect's presence at a crime scene.

Character references, while they may be presented in court to speak to an individual's character or background, do not fit into these categories of direct evidence required to establish facts about a crime. They are subjective opinions that may be used to influence a jury's perception rather than serve as factual evidence related to the specifics of a case.