The differences between class characteristics and individual characteristics

Sample Answer

In forensic science, evidence is categorized based on how specifically it can be linked to a particular source. The distinction between class and individual characteristics determines whether a piece of evidence can "identify" a suspect or merely "include" them in a group.

1. Class Characteristics

Class characteristics are physical qualities of evidence that can be associated only with a group and never a single source. These are features common to all items of a specific model, brand, or type.

Definition: Properties that can be attributed to a group of objects.

Purpose: To narrow down a search and exclude suspects/items that do not fit the criteria.

Examples:

Automobile paint: A chip of red paint from a 2024 Toyota. Millions of cars share this exact chemical composition.

Blood type: Type O+ blood found at a scene. Approximately 37% of the population shares this characteristic.