Physical matter whose characteristics are unique to a single source constitutes a specific category of forensic data. This type of material can be associated with a particular person or object with a high degree of certainty. Examples include fingerprints, DNA profiles, and tool marks from a specific instrument. The analysis of these unique characteristics allows for a definitive connection between the evidence and its origin.
The significance of such definitive material lies in its power to directly link a suspect or instrument to a crime scene or victim. This contributes substantially to building a robust legal case. Historically, the development of techniques to identify and analyze these singular attributes has revolutionized criminal investigations, leading to more accurate and reliable conclusions. The precision afforded by this type of investigation minimizes ambiguity and strengthens the evidentiary foundation.