What is meant by Individual Characteristic in forensic evidence?

Individual characteristics in forensic evidence refer to unique identifying marks or features that are the result of a specific process or event and are not shared with other items. This means that individual characteristics can be used to link evidence to a specific source, such as a particular tool, firearm, or shoe print, making it particularly valuable in forensic investigations. For instance, the striations on a bullet caused by the barrel of a firearm can uniquely identify that bullet to the gun it was fired from, as those markings represent the unique manufacturing process and wear of that specific firearm.

These unique characteristics differ from average features or common traits among multiple items, which tend to describe general patterns or characteristics shared by a group rather than pinpointing to one distinct source. Consequently, while average features can be helpful in identifying categories or types of items, it is the individual characteristics that provide the decisive evidence in forensic science. Such uniqueness is crucial in legal contexts, as it can establish a connection between a suspect, a crime scene, and the evidence collected.