Which feature of eccrine sweat is important for identification?

The identification of individuals through eccrine sweat largely hinges on the presence of organic compounds. Eccrine sweat is known to contain a variety of organic substances, including amino acids, urea, lactate, and other metabolites. These compounds can vary significantly among individuals due to factors such as diet, health, and genetics. This variability makes organic compounds a valuable source of information for forensic science, as they can contribute to a unique profile that can aid in identification.

In contrast, while the other features such as the type of salt, water content, and presence of odor may have some relevance, they do not offer the same level of individual uniqueness or specificity that organic compounds do. For instance, the primary salt in sweat is sodium chloride, which is common across many individuals. The water content tends to be relatively consistent as well, and the presence of odor can be influenced by numerous external factors like personal hygiene and environment, making them less reliable as distinguishing features. Thus, focusing on organic compounds provides a more robust basis for identification in forensic contexts.