What type of evidence is referred to as inculpatory evidence?

Inculpatory evidence is defined as evidence that tends to establish a person's guilt or shows that they committed a criminal offense or civil wrong. This means it is directly associated with proving that someone is responsible for a crime or has engaged in a wrongful act. The presence of inculpatory evidence can significantly impact the outcome of a trial, as it provides support for the prosecution's case against the defendant.

For example, if there are fingerprints found at a crime scene that match those of a suspect, that fingerprint evidence is inculpatory because it suggests the suspect's involvement in the crime. This type of evidence is crucial in establishing a link between the defendant and the alleged offense, thus playing an essential role in the judicial process.

Other options, such as evidence that proves innocence, evidence that is irrelevant, or hearsay evidence, do not fit the definition of inculpatory evidence and instead fall into different categories of evidence that do not directly establish guilt.