Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) Practice Exam

Which of the following is not a class characteristic of evidence?

1. Fiber

2. Soil

3. Hair

4. Liquid

The correct answer is: Liquid

The identification of liquid as not being a class characteristic of evidence hinges on understanding the definitions of class characteristics and individual characteristics in forensic science. Class characteristics refer to attributes that can be associated with a group but not a specific source. For example, fibers, soil, and hair can be analyzed and linked to certain materials or environments—thus, they can share properties or origins with other samples, categorizing them as class characteristics. Liquids, however, often have unique compositions influenced by various factors, including their source, filtering processes, and even potential contaminants that come into play when samples are taken. While some liquids may share common characteristics with others, the analysis often provides enough specificity to narrow down to potential sources. This makes it less about class identification and more about unique sourcing, which does not fit the traditional notion of class characteristics as defined in forensic contexts.