Fingerprints and DNA are examples of which type of evidence?

Fingerprints and DNA are examples of which type of evidence?

• A. Direct evidence
• B. Indirect evidence
• C. Individual evidence
• D. Class evidence

Answer: (C)

Fingerprints and DNA are powerful because they can identify a specific person. The ridge patterns in a fingerprint are unique to each individual (with identical twins as the only exception), and DNA profiles are highly distinctive, matching only one person in most cases. This ability to single out an individual makes them individual evidence. They are physical clues that link a person to a crime scene, rather than pointing to a broad group of people, which is what class evidence would do. They aren’t eyewitness testimony, which is a form of direct evidence based on observation; fingerprints and DNA require a match to establish identification.

Fingerprints and DNA are powerful because they can identify a specific person. The ridge patterns in a fingerprint are unique to each individual (with identical twins as the only exception), and DNA profiles are highly distinctive, matching only one person in most cases. This ability to single out an individual makes them individual evidence. They are physical clues that link a person to a crime scene, rather than pointing to a broad group of people, which is what class evidence would do. They aren’t eyewitness testimony, which is a form of direct evidence based on observation; fingerprints and DNA require a match to establish identification.