Individual vs Class Worksheet
Name: _________________________________________________ Date: _________________________
Individual vs. Class Characteristics
Individual Characteristics: Evidence that can be attributed to a single source (e.g., fingerprints, DNA).
Class Characteristics: Evidence that can be correlated only to a group.
Part A
Description
1. Brown hair
Individual or Class?
2. Tire tread marks
3. DNA extracted from red hair
4. Fitting together broken pieces of a glass bottle
4. Blood typing (Blood type A, B, AB)
5. Fibers
6. Shoe impression (worn down shoe)
7. Handwriting characteristics
Part B
Decide if the evidence is individual or class evidence and explain why it belongs to this group.
1.
Some blond hairs were found on the gloves of a suspected kidnapper who has brown hair. Would they be considered class or individual evidence?
Class Individual
EXPLAIN:
_______________________________________________________________________
2.
If a restaurant receipt was found torn into four pieces, would the pieces be class or individual evidence?
Class Individual
EXPLAIN:
_____________________________________________________________________
3.
A piece of duct tape was taken from a victim of a B & E (breaking and entering). A roll of the same brand of duct tape was found at the suspect’s home. Would this be considered class or individual evidence?
Class
EXPLAIN:
Individual
_________________________________________________________
