What term describes evidence that links to a single person?

What term describes evidence that links to a single person?

• A. Marker
• B. Class
• C. Individual
• D. Locard Exchange

Answer: (C)

Individual evidence is any evidence that can be linked to a single person or source. Its value comes from distinctive characteristics that allow a direct association with one individual—examples include a fingerprint, DNA profile, or a highly unique tool mark. These traits are rare enough that they point to a specific person rather than a group. In contrast, class evidence points to a group rather than a unique source—for instance, blood type, shoe size, or generic fiber type—so it narrows the possibilities to a category but not to a single individual. The Locard Exchange Principle describes how contact between objects results in transfer of material, which explains why evidence can move between people and places, but it’s a guiding concept rather than a type of evidence that links to a person. The term marker isn’t used here to describe evidence that identifies a single individual.

Individual evidence is any evidence that can be linked to a single person or source. Its value comes from distinctive characteristics that allow a direct association with one individual—examples include a fingerprint, DNA profile, or a highly unique tool mark. These traits are rare enough that they point to a specific person rather than a group.

In contrast, class evidence points to a group rather than a unique source—for instance, blood type, shoe size, or generic fiber type—so it narrows the possibilities to a category but not to a single individual. The Locard Exchange Principle describes how contact between objects results in transfer of material, which explains why evidence can move between people and places, but it’s a guiding concept rather than a type of evidence that links to a person. The term marker isn’t used here to describe evidence that identifies a single individual.