Individualisation
Definition
The ability to distinguish one individual organism from all others of the same species. In plant forensics, individualisation requires profiling a locus (or set of loci) that varies between individuals within the relevant population.
- Core purpose
- Narrowing evidence to a single origin, person, or individual
- Common example
- Matching a fingerprint to one person
- Contrast
- Contrasted with classification, which places evidence in a group or category
Common questions
What's the difference between individualisation and classification in forensics?+
Classification sorts evidence into groups or categories, like matching a fingerprint to a common pattern type. Individualisation goes further, narrowing that evidence to a single origin, like matching a fingerprint to one specific person.
How does individualisation work in plant forensics?+
Plant forensics requires profiling genetic loci (specific locations on DNA) that vary between individual plants within the same species. By finding variation at one or more loci, investigators can distinguish one organism from all others of that species.
Can broken tools be individualised?+
Yes. A broken tool can be individualised by matching it to a specific blade, showing it came from one unique source rather than just a general class of tools.
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