When comparing and analyzing evidence, properties that can be associated with a common source to a high degree of certainty, such as the ridge characteristics in two fingerprint samples, are best described as **individual characteristics**.
Here's why:
1. **Individual Characteristics:**
- Individual characteristics are unique and specific to a single source. In the case of fingerprint ridge characteristics, each person has a distinct pattern that differs from others, making it possible to identify an individual based on these unique features.
- These characteristics provide strong evidence linking a piece of evidence (like a fingerprint) to a particular person due to the high level of specificity and uniqueness they possess.
By recognizing and matching these individual characteristics in evidence, investigators can establish a direct link between the evidence and a specific source, helping to solve crimes and establish identities with a high degree of certainty.
