Which of the following best describes the term ‘presumptive’ evidence?

Presumptive evidence is defined as evidence that suggests a certain conclusion or inference but does not definitively prove it. It is generally considered to be suggestive and requires further investigation to attain conclusive evidence. For instance, if a forensic test indicates that a substance is likely to be blood, this is presumptive evidence; however, additional testing would be necessary to confirm the identity of that substance conclusively. This nature of presumptive evidence makes it a useful starting point in investigations, guiding the path for further analysis and confirmation while highlighting its inherent limitations that necessitate additional verification.

The other options describe characteristics that do not align with the definition of presumptive evidence. Conclusive and definitive evidence would imply that the evidence is undeniable and does not require further validation. Irrelevant and inconclusive evidence indicates that the information does not pertain to the case and is not useful, while directly observable and reliable evidence suggests that the information can be easily verified and is trustworthy, neither of which apply to the nature of presumptive evidence.