Computer-Assisted Postmortem Identification (CAPMI) System: A Computer-Based Identification Program

• NCJ Number: 113156
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1988) Pages: 977-984
• Author(s): L Lorton; M Rethman; R Friedman
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This report summarizes the concepts of the Computer-Assisted Postmortem Identification (CAPMI) system, describes how it works, and reviews suggested applications and limitations.

Abstract

The CAPMI system was originally developed by the U.S. Army Institute of Dental Research in 1983 to improve efficiency in examining repetitive chart-by-chart comparisons of antemortem and postmortem dental and nondental records. The CAPMI system always compares the record of interest, known as the 'key' record, to every record in the database. The CAPMI system has been effective in expediting prompt matching of individual antemortem dental records to complete and fragmented dental remains in both simulated and actual disaster identification problems. CAPMI is useful with a large number of antemortem records and a small or large number of postmortem remains, a large antemortem database and a few postmortem remains, a small antemortem database and a large number of fragmented postmortem remains, and a small number of antemortem remains and a small number of antemortem records. The CAPMI system's limitations are similar to those of any forensic science identification technique. 1 table, 3 figures. (Author abstract modified)