- Process that involves analyzing and constructing hypotheses of the identity of human remains and reconciling the information collected using several lines of evidence by comparing antemortem and postmortem data (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Scientific / comparative methods of identification:
- Fingerprint comparison
- Comparative dental radiography
- Surgical hardware and implants (with unique numbers)
- Radiographic comparison
- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
- Nonscientific methods of identification:
- Circumstantial evidence:
- Jewelry
- Clothing
- Eyeglasses found on body
- Location of the body (residence, car registered to an individual)
- Dentures
- Medical alert bracelets
- Papers or identification cards found with the body
- Visual identification
- Distinctive marks:
- Tattoos
- Scars
- Piercings
- Birthmarks
- Other cutaneous lesions
- Physical attributes:
- Biological sex
- Apparent age
- Apparent ethnicity
- Body length
- Body weight
- Acquired and congenital anomalies
- Prior surgeries or medical procedures
- Head hair color (caution: can be dyed)
- In skeletal remains, a biological profile needs to be completed by an anthropologist
- Circumstantial evidence:
- Disaster victim identification process:
- Phase 1: scene (processing human remains and property at the disaster site)
- Phase 2: postmortem (detailed examination of human remains in mortuary)
- Phase 3: antemortem (collection of missing person data from various sources)
- Phase 4: reconciliation (matching postmortem and antemortem data)
- Mass disaster identification
- Mass casualty identification
- Identification is paramount in death investigation systems
- Those that have died in the community and enter the death investigation system are often unknown to the coroner or medical examiner that is investigating their death; the coroner or medical examiner must therefore rely on other means to determine identification
- The integrative process of identification begins at the death scene where human remains are discovered; the location, wallet containing official identification cards, physical appearance can be used to formulate a hypothesis of identity (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- All information should be documented and recovered from the scene before it is lost and the surrounding location changed forever (ICRC: Forensic Identification of Human Remains [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- It is imperative that confirmation bias be recognized and mitigated to avoid misidentification
- Identification should be supported by lines of evidence based on technical opinion or the decision of experts (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Description of the method used for identification must be documented (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Identification is positive if achieved when the consistency of individualizing traits and lack of excluding discrepancies is sufficient to conclude that the individual in question is the expected person (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- The opinion of multiple experts may be required; these may include forensic pathologists, forensic anthropologists, law enforcement, radiologists, forensic dentists and forensic biologists (ICRC: Forensic Identification of Human Remains [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Established procedures exist for identification of the deceased and are classified into scientific and nonscientific methods (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Comparative fingerprint analysis, comparative dental analysis and DNA analysis are the most reliable identifiers; however, nonscientific identifiers such as physical attributes, distinctive marks, medical findings, medical records and circumstantial evidence are usually the starting place in identification and are often used in conjunction with or to complement the primary identifier (Forensic Sci Criminol 2016;1:1)
- All lines of evidence are important and need to be considered; however, not all lines of evidence carry the same weight (i.e., hair color consistency but fingerprint incompatibility) (ICRC: Forensic Identification of Human Remains [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- To avoid preanalytical errors, it is the pathologist's responsibility to ensure that proper tagging of the body has occurred prior to commencing the autopsy (DiMaio: Handbook of Forensic Pathology, 2nd Edition, 2006)
- Every unidentified individual should be assigned a unique alphanumeric identifier to ensure that all individuals involved are referring to the correct case (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- During the autopsy, physical characteristics, clothing and personal belongings should be documented and photographed (ICRC: Forensic Identification of Human Remains [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Review missing person data reports, including information collected from multiple sources containing the physical and medical profiles and circumstantial information related to their disappearance (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Families should be notified regarding identification of their loved ones before the public and media (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Body should not be released for burial until all attempts at identification have been exhausted (ICRC: Forensic Identification of Human Remains [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- After exhaustive comparison and investigation, it may be impossible to confirm the identity of human remains (ICRC: Forensic Identification of Human Remains [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Identification of unknown deceased and human remains is critical for ethical, legal and humanitarian reasons
- Identify deceased individuals and notify families
- Establish identification for legal and statistical reasons
- Administrative record of an individual's death (death certificate and official records)
- Record of identity for ceremonial and burial practices
- To allow for legal proceedings
- Reference: INTERPOL: Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) [Accessed 6 October 2022]
- Circumstantial evidence:
- Items, personal effects or the location associated with a deceased individual (Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021;3:100154)
- Jewelry
- Clothing
- Eyeglasses found on body
- Location of the body (residence, car registered to an individual)
- Dentures
- Medical alert bracelets
- Papers, identification cards found with the body
- Family members and friends are excellent resources (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Limitation:
- Personal effects can be variably present
- Circumstantial evidence should be interpreted in the appropriate context (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
Clothing on the decedent
can function as means
to collect evidence of
identification of the decedent
- Items, personal effects or the location associated with a deceased individual (Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021;3:100154)
- Visual identification:
- Visual confirmation of the identity of the deceased individuals by a living human, such as a relative or friend (Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021;3:100154)
- Limitation:
- Alteration in physical features caused by death (e.g., postmortem changes such as corneal clouding, postmortem hypostasis, pallor and muscle flaccidity) may be profound and can lead to doubt for family and friends making visual identifications (J Forensic Sci 2018;63:662)
- Injury, decomposition, coupled with the emotional state of the deceased's friends or relatives may lead to misidentification (J Forensic Sci 2018;63:662)
- Distinctive marks:
- Record of distinctive findings recorded at time of autopsy and compared to antemortem records (J Forensic Radiol Imaging 2015:3:29)
- Process:
- Visual recognition of distinctive marks, including
- Tattoos
- Scars
- Piercings
- Birthmarks
- Other cutaneous lesions
- Skeletal or joint abnormalities
- Amputations
- Visual recognition of distinctive marks, including
- Limitation:
- Comparison to known characteristics of an individual from numerous sources, including medical records, licensing information, police records, etc. (J Forensic Radiol Imaging 2015:3:29)
- Decomposition and maggot activity can obscure marks such as scars and tattoos (Forensic Sci Int 2012;222:394.e1)
- Removal of skin slippage from putrefactive decomposition may reveal an underlying tattoo (Forensic Sci Int 2012;222:394.e1)
- Infrared photography and ultraviolet light may be used to highlight tattoos that are otherwise not visible due to mummification or decomposition (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:338)
- Distinctive marks and physical attributes can lead to tentative or presumed identification (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
Right axillary freckling and café au lait
spot is associated with neurofibromatosis,
which is often a hereditary condition
that can be used in identification
- Physical attributes:
- Comparison of physical attributes used to establish identification, leading to tentative or presumed identification (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Process:
- Record of physical attributes at time of autopsy, compared to antemortem records (Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2006;27:200)
- Photographs of the face and body, using a scale with the unique case number, documents and preserves the appearance at the time of identification (Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2006;27:200)
- Physical attributes used for identification:
- Biological sex
- Apparent age
- Apparent ethnicity
- Body length
- Body weight
- Acquired and congenital anomalies
- Prior surgeries or medical procedures
- Head hair color (caution: can be dyed)
- In skeletal remains, a biological profile needs to be completed by an anthropologist
- Limitation:
- Some surgeries and medical procedures are more common in a population (i.e., appendectomy, as compared to a pancreaticoduodenectomy); in the proper context, a pancreaticoduodenectomy would carry a higher discriminatory value
- Comparison to known characteristics of an individual including medical records, government issued photo identification, etc. (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Scientific means is the ideal method for identifying the deceased
- There are 5 means to perform scientific identification through a comparison of the antemortem to postmortem record:
- Fingerprints
- Dental
- Surgical numbers on surgical hardware
- Radiology
- DNA
- Expertise in different fields is required to perform the comparison of the postmortem to antemortem record; both forensic pathologists and their pathology assistants arrange and facilitate the acquisition of the postmortem record for the experts
- There are 5 means to perform scientific identification through a comparison of the antemortem to postmortem record:
- Fingerprint comparison:
- System of identification based on the classification and comparison of finger ridge patterns and minutiae (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:293)
- Process:
- The science of fingerprints, their classification, retrieval from records and methods of recording typically lie in the domain of police procedure
- The forensic pathologist's role is to facilitate the process of obtaining the postmortem fingerprints
- Fingerprints are unique (no 2 fingerprints have been found to be identical, including among monozygotic twins, who share the same DNA) (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:293)
- To establish identity based on fingerprints, an antemortem record must exist for the deceased to serve as a comparison
- Fingerprints can be uploaded into databases such as the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for comparison, which does not require a tentative identification for comparison (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Skin from a decomposed body may detach in a glove-like fashion, which can be slipped over the hand of an investigator so that classifiable prints can be made (S Afr Med J 2005;95:665)
- It is unnecessary to amputate fingers to obtain fingerprints
- In case of diffuse rigidity or charring, a local dissection of the tendons at the base of the hands will help opening the fingers to obtain fingerprints
- Mummified tissue may need to be rehydrated to obtain fingerprints (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:338)
- If the epidermis is missing from the fingers, it may be possible to obtain classifiable prints from the finger pads (Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2006;27:200)
- Limitations:
- Fingerprints can be affected by multiple factors including postmortem decomposition, chemicals and immersion changes, altering the fingerprint quality and comparison ability (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:293)
- In homicides, fingers can be cut out by the offender(s) to avoid fingerprinting
Skin from a decomposed body which
detached in a glove-like fashion is placed
over the hand of an investigator;
fingerprint impressions can then be made
- Comparative dental radiography:
- System of identification based on dental characteristics and features (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:303)
- Process:
- Positive identification can often be established based on dental fillings, bony structures of the jaw, roots of teeth and sinuses, as these are unique to individuals (J Forensic Radiol Imaging 2015:3:29)
- Examination of the dentition of the deceased may give information as to the age, nutrition and hygiene, which can be clues to identity (Open Dent J 2015;9:250)
- Determination of age is evaluated based on crown and root development and eruption (Open Dent J 2015;9:250)
- Identification via dental records is performed in conjunction with a forensic odontologist (dentist with forensic training) or an oral pathologist (J Forensic Radiol Imaging 2015:3:29)
- Interpretation:
- Antemortem record must be available for comparison to postmortem records as no central database exists (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Dentition of all unidentified human remains should be charted and radiographed and a tooth extracted for DNA sampling if no other DNA sample is available (J Forensic Radiol Imaging 2015:3:29)
Comparative dental radiography on the
left is the antmortem radiograph and on
the right is the postmortem radiograph;
the dental implant is apparent in both
- Surgical hardware and implants:
- Devices found at the postmortem examination that can be compared with antemortem medical records (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:303)
- Process:
- Implanted devices can have unique serial numbers or lot numbers (i.e., specific to a group of implanted devices manufactured at the same time) (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:303)
- Radiographs:
- System of identification based on antemortem radiological comparison to postmortem radiographs (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Limitation:
- Antemortem record must exist and be locatable for comparison to postmortem records (Acta Stomatol Croat 2017;51:227)
- Interpretation:
- Individual bones may possess distinctive markings or characteristics (cranial sinuses, prior orthopedic procedures, healed fractures, etc.) (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Consultations with radiologists or anthropologists may be required (Acta Stomatol Croat 2017;51:227)
- Antemortem radiographs may have been performed at multiple institutions or in different film formats, making collection difficult (J Forensic Radiol Imaging 2015:3:29)
Comparative radiography on the
left is the antmortem radiograph
and on the right is
the postmortem radiographPostmortem shoulder radiograph with
evidence of surgical hardware that
can be used to make an identification
if antemortem radiographs are available
- Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA):
- System of identification based on antemortem DNA comparison to postmortem DNA (J Forensic Radiol Imaging 2015:3:29)
- Process:
- DNA is a proven source for identification as the genetic information contained in a cell can connect biological relatives (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- Identification of human remains by DNA is possible because of multiple alleles and DNA regions that can be amplified and used to compare genetic patterns (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- DNA methods for identification require a sample from human remains to be compared to the biological sample of the closest living relative
- DNA matching to biological relatives is the only method for primary identification that is independent of direct comparison, unlike other forms of scientific identification (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- Common foci that are examined include: short tandem repeat (STR), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- Routine postmortem samples should be collected and stored for all cases as future DNA analysis may be required (Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2006;27:200)
- DNA samples collected for identification purposes must be correctly labeled, sealed, handled, stored and traceable through a proper chain of custody to avoid contamination (ICRC: Forensic Identification of Human Remains [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Postmortem samples include (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:51)
- Whole blood, fluid or tissues
- Buccal swab if not too decomposed or if taphonomy impairs collection
- Bone window ideally from an intact weight bearing bone (i.e., femur) as the dense cortical portion of lower limb bones tend to yield more consistently reliable DNA profiles compared to less dense spongy bone
- Limitations:
- Success depends on the ability to obtain a sufficient quality and quantity of DNA from the remains and the availability and willingness of family members to provide a DNA sample for the purpose of identification (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- Degradation of the postmortem sample, absence of nucleated cells and DNA extraction difficulties may be due to taphonomic and putrefactive changes that inhibit PCR techniques (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- Biological sample for DNA identification from biological relatives must be obtained with informed consent (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- A routinely obtained DNA sample can be compared with surgical specimens from the decedent, if they exist (Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2006;27:200)
- Paraffin embedded tissue from prior surgical procedures can be a source of antemortem DNA (Leg Med (Tokyo) 2005;7:230)
- DNA is identical for monozygotic twins (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:303)
- Siblings of the same biological sex cannot be differentiated based on DNA alone if the comparative reference sample is from a biological relative; other primary and secondary lines of evidence would be required
- Dental pulp tissue is often used as a source of DNA from severely decomposed and skeletal remains; however, dentition will need to be charted and radiographed prior to extraction (Int J Forensic Odontol 2017;2:43)
- In burned bodies or decomposed bodies, bone is often collected as a source of DNA (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:303)
- It is imperative that all attempts have been made to acquire a genetic profile prior to release of the body; multiple samples may need to be collected to obtain a DNA profile (Forensic Sci Int 2018;289:253)
- Prior to disposition of unidentified bodies (Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2006;27:200):
- Perform a forensic autopsy
- Obtain radiographs
- Chart and radiograph dentition
- Document (including photos) clothing (with details of brand tag and size) and personal effects
- Collect DNA sample for archiving
- Collect blood in fresh bodies
- Collect bone (commonly femur) in severely decomposed bodies
- Request consultations, if required
- Anthropology
- Radiology
- Identification of skeletal remains:
- Background:
- First determine if the remains are indeed bone (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Subsequently determine if the bones are human or nonhuman, the minimum number of individuals present, the biological profile for each set of human remains and collect a DNA sample (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Fragmented human remains may be easily confused with animal bones, as well as long animal bones may be confused with human ones (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Expertise of a forensic anthropologist / archeologist is required (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Scientific means of identification (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361):
- DNA
- Radiographic comparison studies: antemortem and postmortem
- Surgical serial numbers
- Nonscientific means of identification (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361):
- Facial reconstruction (sketch, clay or computer): tentative identification of remains and subsequent positive identification if antemortem records can be obtained (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Photo superimposition: technique in which a life photograph of a missing person is superimposed on a photograph of the unidentified skull or the skull itself, using video equipment (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Careful detail of clothing including sizes, brand names, type of clothing (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:293)
- Biological sex, ethnicity, approximate age range, osseous injuries, congenital osseus anomalies and antemortem stature determination based on standard anthropometrical techniques (Acad Forensic Pathol 2016;6:361)
- Background:
- Background:
- Any incident resulting in more decedents to be recovered and examined than can be managed by the local jurisdiction's medical examiner or coroner (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Disaster victim identification forms part of the emergency response following a disaster and involves a multidisciplinary team with a command and organizational structure that must be implemented to ensure effective coordination of a disaster response (INTERPOL: Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Concept of the search universe can be highlighted in DVI:
- Open search universe: scene with an unknown number of registered individuals (i.e., explosions in public areas)
- There is typically no early registered list to assess for possible missing persons (Forensic Sci Res 2018;4:303)
- Requires development of a list of missing person reports, typically from families and friends (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Closed search universe: scene with a well known or presumptive number of individuals (i.e., airline crashes and train derailments with passenger manifests) (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Open search universe: scene with an unknown number of registered individuals (i.e., explosions in public areas)
- Multiple fatalities that arise in a disaster can be criminal or noncriminal (Leg Med (Tokyo) 2005;7:230)
- Identification of victims in disasters is one of the most important tasks of investigators (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- Once an appraisal of the situation is obtained, operational units should be formed to conduct disaster response activities (INTERPOL: Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Human remains must be scientifically identified and returned to family members expediently (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Preliminary actions and context analysis steps of the search process are essential (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- A system of organizing, recording and storing identification information and personal effects is imperative (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- Gathering of antemortem data can be very time consuming and collection of current and accurate data can be challenging (NAME: Standard Operating Procedures for Mass Fatality Management 2010 [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Disaster victim identification is often hindered by fragmentation of remains, heat damage, decomposition and comingling of remains; identification of a small part of the recovered remains can be enough to identify a person (J Appl Genet 2012;53:41)
- Unless there is reliable evidence, the fate of an individual is uncertain and it should not be assumed that they are deceased as not all missing persons are necessarily deceased (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- There may be a lack of medical or dental records as some populations may have limited or no access to certain health care services; records may also have been destroyed or may be of poor quality (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Integrated reconciliation of information is the final step with the aim of establishing compatibility or discrepancy and is carried out by an identification coordinator with multidisciplinary support to avoid confirmation bias (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Poor coordination, management, insufficient collection of information and improper labeling can all lead to misidentification (ICRC: The Forensic Human Identification Process - An Integrated Approach [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Jurisdictional, legal, religious and cultural considerations must be respected and adhered to (INTERPOL: Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) [Accessed 6 October 2022])
- Disaster victim identification strategy development factors (INTERPOL: Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) [Accessed 6 October 2022]):
- Existing legislation, regulations and procedures
- Local capacity and expertise
- Infrastructure and equipment
- Family / community needs
- Disaster victim identification process
- Phase 1: scene (processing human remains and property at the disaster site)
- Secure scene and ensure it is treated as a crime scene until trained examiners arrive
- Render the scene safe prior to examination (i.e., live explosives)
- Photograph, record, label, collect
- Document with standard forms / methods
- Tag human remains with a unique alphanumeric identifier
- Phase 2: postmortem (detailed examination of human remains in mortuary)
- Accession, process, examine and sort human remains at the mortuary
- Photography, fingerprinting, radiology, odontology, DNA sampling, postmortem examinations
- Examine, document and store personal property
- Phase 3: antemortem (collection of missing person data from various sources)
- Interview families, relatives or friends to obtain sufficient data
- Physical descriptions, jewelry, clothing, etc.
- Secure antemortem data (dental radiographs, medical imaging, fingerprints, DNA)
- Phase 2 and 3 can occur concurrently
- Interview families, relatives or friends to obtain sufficient data
- Phase 4: reconciliation (comparing postmortem and antemortem data)
- Identity is determined if multiple lines of evidence show consistency and compatibility, lack discrepancies and features allow for differentiation from other candidates (Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021;3:100154)
- Serious discrepancies lead to exclusion of an individual as the source of the human remains (Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021;3:100154)
- When information analysis is not sufficient to conclude with certainty in favor of one possibility or another, the case file is listed as inconclusive and the investigation should be expanded (Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021;3:100154)
- Visual identification can be very unreliable and should not be considered alone
- Assessment of reconciliation files needs to consider the reliability of evidence to conclude positive identity; the case file is then presented to an authority that has overall responsibility for the identification of the deceased (i.e., coroner, medical examiner)
- If identification is accepted, a death certificate confirming identity and cause of death is issued; once release is granted, arrangements can be made for repatriation of remains to the family
Lines of evidence used for reconciliationMissing Person Unidentified Person Location last seen Location found Date last seen Date found Biological profile Biological profile Dental comparison Dental comparison Fingerprint records Fingerprint records DNA sample DNA sample Clothing and personal effects Clothing and personal effects Health conditions Medical findings
- Identity is determined if multiple lines of evidence show consistency and compatibility, lack discrepancies and features allow for differentiation from other candidates (Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021;3:100154)
- Outcomes of the reconciliation process:
- Identification
- Exclusion
- Inconclusive
- Causes of misidentification:
- Lack of rigorous procedures
- Overreliance on a single identification technique
- Inadequate recovery of human remains
- Inadequate interpretation
- Lack of chain of custody
- Lack of adequately trained personnel
- Lack of quality control and quality assurance mechanisms
- Confirmation bias
- External pressure to complete an identification without following accepted procedures
- Phase 1: scene (processing human remains and property at the disaster site)
The antemortem image shown above is acquired from an unidentified individual. What is true about dental radiographs in the context of forensic identification?
- A central database exists to compare postmortem records to antemortem records
- If dental fillings and implants are present they can be compared to antemortem records
- It is not advisable to routinely perform dental radiographs of unidentified individuals
- There is no association between age and crown and root development
Comment Here
Reference: Forensic identification
- Dental enamel is a reliable source of DNA in this scenario
- DNA from a biological relative will not be able to differentiate between the brothers
- DNA from buccal swabs is the best source of DNA in burned bodies
- mtDNA should be used to differentiate between the brothers
Comment Here
Reference: Forensic identification
What is true about the forensic identification method shown above?
- Finger pads don't contain ridge detail or minutiae
- Fingerprints cannot be used to distinguish between identical twins
- If the skin is detached it can still potentially be slipped over the hand of an investigator in a glove-like fashion to obtain fingerprints
- Postmortem decomposition has no effect on fingerprint quality
Comment Here
Reference: Forensic identification