Introduction

Now that you understand what physical evidence is, let’s discuss the difference between class characteristics (evidence) and individual characteristics (evidence). Class characteristics are common to a group of objects or person. Individual characteristics can be identified with a particular person or object. Physical evidence can be categorized into having class or individual characteristics or both depending on the type of evidence. For example, a piece of hair evidence can be considered class evidence if no root is attached but if a root is attached and DNA can be obtained it is considered to be individual evidence.

Take a look at some examples of class evidence:

• Fibers
• Small fragments of glass that could not be matched to a particular source
• Powders
• Hair without root attached

Here are some examples of individual evidence:

• Hair with root containing DNA
• Fingerprints
• Large pieces of glass that can be matched to another piece of glass
• Any type of tear patterns that can be matched together and are considered individual characteristics.