NCJ Number
60053
Date Published
1978
Length
43 pages
Annotation
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO FORENSICS, WITH COMPREHENSIVE STUDY IN A UNIVERSITY FORENSIC PROGRAM, IS NEEDED TO DEVELOP THEORY AND STANDARDIZE PROCEDURES OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN REMAINS.
Abstract
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF REMAINS CAN BE MATCHED WITH THE RECORD OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MANIFESTED THOSE CHARACTERISTICS IN LIFE. REMAINS CAN BE EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE SEX, RACE, MUSCULARITY, DENTITION, AGE, STATURE, COLORING, ANOMOLIES AND OTHER UNUSUAL DATA. MILITARY AND POLICE RECORDS MAY BE USED TO AID IN IDENTIFICATION. THE FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGIST MUST WORK CLOSELY WITH EXPERTS IN OTHER DISCIPLINES TO ESTABLISH THE UNIQUENESS AND IDENTITY OF REMAINS AND TO PROVIDE SOUND LEGAL BASIS FOR CIRCUMSTANTIAL AND SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS. THE SPECIFIC STEPS FOR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION ARE DESCRIBED. SINCE THE UNDERLYING THEORY OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION HAS BEEN NEGLECTED AND IS NOT STANDARDIZED, SUCH STANDARDS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED AND MONITORED BY A SUPERVISORY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND/OR WITH AN ORGANIZATION OF QUALIFIED SCIENTISTS. THE AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS USED IN COMPARING CHARACTERISTICS OF REMAINS WITH THE SOCIAL RECORDS AND OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION MAY SHAPE FUTURE APPROACHES TO FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY. REFERENCES, AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY, TABULAR DATA, AND CHARTS AND DIAGRAMS ARE PROVIDED. ALSO, A SUMMARY OF PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL DATA OBTAINABLE FROM DOCUMENTS AND EVENTS (I.E., BIRTH CERTIFICATE, VISIT TO DENTIST) AND A LIST OF BASIC SKILLS REQUIRED OF IDENTIFICATION SPECIALISTS ARE INCLUDED.