What are identification characteristics?

Identification characteristics refer to attributes that can be positively linked to an individual or source. This concept is essential in various fields such as forensic science, criminal investigations, and identification processes, as it focuses on unique traits that can unequivocally associate evidence or individuals with a specific event or crime.

For instance, in forensic science, DNA profiling provides identification characteristics that can definitively match biological evidence to a suspect. Similarly, fingerprint patterns or handwriting samples serve as individual identifiers. These characteristics are crucial for establishing identity and corroborating evidence in legal contexts, making them pivotal for successful investigations.

The other options do not capture the essence of identification characteristics. Physical descriptions of suspects may provide general information but are not unique identifiers. Data points from investigation reports can aid in building a case but do not represent the specific link between an identity and a source. General characteristics of crime scenes may help in understanding patterns but lack the direct association with individuals or unique sources that identification characteristics provide.