NCJ Number
52813
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
IN THIS VIDEO TAPE TEACHING PROGRAM FOR FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS, METHODS OF IDENTIFYING HUMAN CORPSES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
TWO BASIC METHODS OF IDENTIFYING BODIES ARE CONSIDERED: COMPARISON OF RECORDS ON PERSONS SUSPECTED DEAD OR MISSING WITH POST MORTEM FACTS OBTAINED DURING INVESTIGATION OF THE BODY AND RELIANCE ON INVESTIGATIVE DATA. BODIES CAN BE IDENTIFIED THROUGH PERSONAL RECOGNITION BY ASSOCIATES OR FROM PHOTOGRAPHS OF PERSONS THAT MATCH THE CORPSE. FINGERPRINTS, PERSONAL IDENTITY MARKS (TATOOS, BIRTHMARKS, SCARS), AND HAIR CAN REVEAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF A BODY. FORENSIC INVESTIGATORS SHOULD EXAMINE TEETH, THE SKELETON, AND BLOOD SINCE THESE FACTORS OFTEN INDICATE THE AGE, SEX, RACE, HABITS, AND OCCUPATION OF THE DECEASED. AN AUTOPSY CAN REVEAL INFORMATION ON CAUSE OF DEATH, SUCH AS DISEASE OR ALCOHOLISM, THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL ALSO IN ESTABLISHING IDENTITY. SEVERAL SKELETAL PARTS ILLUSTRATE BONE VARIANCES AMONG SEXES AND RACES. (DAG)