What do class characteristics of evidence allow for in forensic analysis?

Class characteristics of evidence enable forensic analysts to compare the physical or chemical properties of evidence against a set of known groups or categories. These characteristics do not provide the ability to pinpoint a specific individual but rather define the evidence within a broader group that shares similar traits. For example, class characteristics can include the make or model of a shoe print or the type of fibers found, which can be matched to a larger category of items that share those common attributes. This is instrumental in narrowing down suspects or matching evidence to common sources, contributing to the overall investigation by linking evidence to a particular class rather than any single individual.

In contrast, identifying a specific individual involves the use of individual characteristics, which are unique and can definitively link evidence to a specific source. Determining the exact location of evidence and establishing a timeline of events rely on different investigative techniques and forms of evidence, which are not directly related to class characteristics.