Pattern-matching and suspect identification in a neighborhood solicitation case study: compare detailed physical descriptions (age, height, weight, hair, attire, briefcase) to infer which earlier door-to-door solicitation events (#1, #2, #3) were most likely carried out by Solicitor #4 (white male, 22 years, 5'10', 140 lb, short brown hair, dark suit, briefcase)

Given data

• Prior reports: #1 (white male, 20–25, 5'9', ~145 lb, very short brown hair, dark blue suit, brown briefcase); #2 (white male, 25–30, 6'2', ~200 lb, shaved head, red T-shirt and jeans); #3 (white male, ~23, 5'10', slight build, short brown hair, blue suit).
• New suspect #4: white male, 22 years, 5'10', 140 lb, short brown hair, dark suit, carrying a briefcase.

Concept/Approach (why this method)

Use multi-attribute matching. The strongest candidate shares multiple independent features (age band, height, build/weight, hair, attire type, accessory). A single mismatch (e.g., shaved head vs. short brown hair) is disqualifying.

Step-by-Step comparison
1) Compare #4 to #1: close age (22 vs. 20–25), height (5'10' vs. 5'9'), weight/build (~140 vs. ~145/slight), hair (short brown vs. very short brown), attire (dark suit for both), accessory (briefcase for both). Strong match.2) Compare #4 to #2: age band barely overlaps, but height 5'10' vs. 6'2', weight 140 vs. 200 (large mismatch), hair short brown vs. shaved head (critical mismatch), clothes dark suit vs. T-shirt/jeans. Clear mismatch.3) Compare #4 to #3: age (~22 vs. ~23), height (both 5'10'), build (140 lb vs. slight build), hair (short brown vs. short brown), attire (dark suit vs. blue suit—same garment type). Strong match.

Verification/Alternative

Counting matched attributes (age, height, build, hair, attire type, accessory): #1 and #3 each match on ≥5 features; #2 matches on ≤1 and conflicts on ≥3 critical features.

Common pitfalls

• Overweighting a single color difference (dark blue vs. dark suit) while ignoring hair/build mismatches.
• Assuming any white male match is sufficient—must confirm multiple independent traits.

Final Answer
#1 and #3, but not #2