Criminalistics II

At the crime scene, you have completed the initial walk-through and are planning your collection of the evidence at the scene, when a new investigator approaches you and asks about the differences between individual and class characteristics of physical evidence.

"Didn't they teach you this at the academy?" another investigator mutters under her breath.

The new investigator looks sheepish, but you assure him that you will get him up to speed regarding these characteristics of physical evidence. In this assignment, you will explain to the new investigator the differences between class and individual characteristics of physical evidence.

Assignment Guidelines

• Address the following in 3–5 pages:
  • Specifically, what are class characteristics of physical evidence? Explain in detail.
    • Provide 3 different examples that illustrate your explanation
  • What else must exist for evidence with class characteristics to be used in court? Explain.
  • Can a type of physical evidence be considered a class characteristic at one crime scene and an individual characteristic at another? Why or why not? Explain in detail.
    • Provide 2 different examples that illustrate your explanation.
  • What must an investigator consider regarding the use of class characteristics as evidence in court? Explain.
  • What must an investigator consider regarding the use of individual characteristics as evidence in court? Explain.
• Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.