Body Identification

Information & Guidelines

Identification

  • Definition of Identification:   - Identification is defined as the determination of a person’s individuality based on certain physical characteristics.   - Establishing the identity of a person, whether they are dead or alive, is crucial because an individual exists as a distinct entity within society and is dealt with as such by the legal system.

Need for Identification

  1. In Living Persons:    - Cases such as amnesia, unconscious states, imposters.    - Issues related to identity cards, passports, etc.    - Specific ages addressed in the penal code (e.g., infanticide, criminal responsibility, rape, consent, domestic employment).

  2. In Dead Persons:    - To provide information to surviving relatives.    - For statistical and legal purposes.    - Registration of death, arrangements for burial or cremation.    - Processing property claims, life insurance claims, conducting inquests, and facilitating police investigations.

  3. Specific Cases:    - Identification in scenarios involving skeletonized material.    - Intact fresh corpses, decomposed corpses, mutilated and dismembered corpses.

Five Methods of Identification

  • Visual Identification

  • Fingerprint Analysis

  • DNA Analysis

  • Anthropologic/ Radiologic Methods

  • Dental Comparison

Identification Papers

  • Common identification papers people possess include:   - Driving licenses.   - Bank cards.   - Diaries.   - Phones.   - Occasionally, clothing may be labeled (e.g., with identifiers).

Fingerprints

  • Formation of Fingerprints:   - Sweat and secretions from sebaceous glands cover fingers with oil, contributing to fingerprint formation.   - The skin on fingers, palms, and soles has a ridged texture.

  • How Fingerprints are Revealed:   - When touching surfaces, oils leave an impression that reflects the unique patterns of skin folds.   - Techniques to reveal fingerprints include:     - Aluminium powder.     - Magnetic powder.     - Ninhydrin spray (which reveals amino acids present in sweat as purple prints).

Forensic Radiology/ Imaging

  • Definition:   - Forensic radiology/imaging encompasses X-ray examinations used for various forensic purposes including:     - Determining age.     - Detecting pregnancy (presence of a fetus).     - Diagnosing head injuries.     - Identifying live births.

Importance of Forensic Radiology

  1. Age Determination:    - Age can be estimated through skiagrams taken at various anatomical views (shoulder, elbow, wrist, pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, and skull).    - The estimates are relatively accurate in children and adolescents.

  2. Detection of Fetus / Diagnosis of Pregnancy:    - X-rays accurately diagnose pregnancy once ossification centers have developed (after the 16th week).    - Later on, it can help in diagnosing twin pregnancies, fetal malformations, or determining if a fetus is deceased.

  3. Missile Detection:   - Utilized to detect foreign objects lodged in the body.

  4. Diagnosis of Head Injury and Other Fractures:   - X-rays help in diagnosing various types of injuries.

  5. Diagnosis of Live Birth:    - Demonstration of air in the stomach and intestines via radiography confirms respiration.

Determination of Sex from Skeletons

  • According to Krogman:   - Accuracy in Identifying Adult Skeletal Remains:     - Entire skeleton: 100%     - Pelvis + Skull: 98%     - Pelvis alone: 95%     - Skull alone: 90%     - Long bones alone: 80%

  • Characteristics:   - Male skeletons typically have more pronounced crests and ridges.   - Male chins tend to be more square.   - Males generally have wider and more robust jaw structures and mastoid processes.   - Foreheads often have a steeper slope in males than in females.

Sex Determination from Mandible

  • Comparison of male and female mandible characteristics is essential in forensic analysis.

Superimposition Technique

  • Definition:   - A technique applied to determine if a skull matches with a person's photograph, using either frontal, lateral, or semi-lateral views.   - A recent photograph is preferred for higher accuracy in assessment.

Genetic Fingerprinting

  • Definition:   - A technique that operates on the premise that every individual's DNA is unique.   - Genetic material is processed using restriction enzymes, cutting it into sections for analysis.

  • Procedure:   - The DNA segments are run through an electrophoresis gel.

Genetic Fingerprinting Analysis

  • Target of Analysis:   - Focuses on repeated sections of DNA found within introns.

  • Types of Repeats:   - Micro-Satellites: Small repeats (2 to 4 bases).   - Mini-Satellites: Larger repeats (20 to 50 bases).   - Repeats are variable, ranging from 5 to 500 times, creating a unique identification method for individuals.

Body Identification Guidelines (Dental)

Outline

I. Collection and Preservation of Postmortem Dental Evidence:    - A. The Remains - Examination Procedures    - B. Photography    - C. Jaw Resection    - D. Techniques for Dissection/Resection    - E. The Postmortem Dental Record      - 1. Dental Examination      - 2. Narrative Description and Nomenclature

II. Sources for Antemortem Data:    - A. Local Agencies    - B. State Agencies    - C. Federal Agencies    - D. International Resources    - E. Insurance Carriers    - F. Other Sources

III. Comparison of Antemortem and Postmortem Evidence:    - A. Dental features useful in identification

IV. Categories and Terminology for Body Identification:    - A. Positive Identification

Basis for Dental Identification

  • Unique Characteristics of Human Dentition:   - The dental morphology and arrangement are unique among individuals, such that no two people have identical teeth.   - Dental Identity Defined:     - Refers to the total characteristics of individual teeth and associated structures which, while not unique in isolation, provide a unique overall identity when considered together.   - Teeth are relatively resistant to environmental factors postmortem.

Critical Examination in Postmortem Procedures

  • Elements of examination include:   - Gender, ethnicity, build, wounds, scars, and tattoos.   - Photographs, radiographs, fingerprints, fingernail scrapings, and hair samples should be collected as needed.   - Oral examination is critical during postmortem procedures:     - Rigor mortis techniques (e.g., mouth gags, intra-oral myotomies) assist in jaw separation.     - It is essential to thoroughly examine soft tissue injuries, fractures, and the condition of each tooth (carious, restored, or missing).

Dental Status of Human Remains

  • The condition of dental remains can be assessed to aid in identification and comparison.

Comparing Postmortem and Antemortem Dental Records

  • Features for Comparison:   - Tooth morphology, associated bony structures, any pathology, and restorations.   - Individuals with multiple dental treatments and unique dental characteristics have a higher likelihood of being identified compared to individuals with no distinctive dental features.

Racial Determination from Teeth

  • Characteristics Observed:   - In civilized societies: 1 molar is usually the largest and the 3rd molar is typically the smallest.   - In primitive societies, this pattern is reversed.

  • Unique dentition characteristics:   - Mongolians may have three cusps in first premolars with lower molars possessing three roots.   - Enamel pearls are seen in Mongolians; Carbelli's cusps are noted in Caucasians.   - Taurodentism (bull tooth, where teeth are fused and bent) is prevalent among Mongoloids.   - Shovel-shaped upper central incisors are also indicative of Mongoloid ancestry.   - Congenital absence of the third molar is frequently found in Mongoloids.