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negative evidence

[/ˈnɛɡətɪv ˈɛvɪdəns/]
noun
prova negativa
1. Evidence that something did not happen or does not exist, based on the absence of proof or lack of occurrence
The absence of fingerprints at the crime scene served as negative evidence that the suspect was not present.
A ausência de impressões digitais na cena do crime serviu como prova negativa de que o suspeito não estava presente.
2. In logic and epistemology, evidence derived from the non-occurrence or non-existence of something expected
The negative evidence of no written records suggests the meeting never took place.
A prova negativa da inexistência de registros escritos sugere que a reunião nunca ocorreu.
Synonyms
absence of evidencelack of evidencenon-occurrence
Antonyms
positive evidenceaffirmative evidencedirect evidence

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
prova negativa
Standard usage in legal and academic contexts
Portugal
prova negativa
Common in Portuguese legal terminology

Related Idioms & Phrases

absence of evidence is not evidence of absence
lack of proof
no smoking gun
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