Which of the following is an example of trace evidence?

• A. Hair and fibers
• B. Blood spatter
• C. Tool marks
• D. DNA analysis

Answer: (A)

Trace evidence consists of tiny materials that are transferred during a crime and can link a person to a scene or item. Hair and fibers are classic examples because they’re small, easily transferred, and can be collected from clothing or surfaces for microscopic comparison. Blood spatter is about the pattern and distribution of blood, which falls under pattern evidence rather than trace. Tool marks are impressions left by tools, a type of physical/impression evidence, not trace. DNA analysis is a lab process used to analyze genetic material, not the trace material itself. So hair and fibers best illustrate trace evidence.