- determination of identity of an unknown person important part of the common work of forensic pathologists
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON - N.N. - the
Latin term "Nomen Nescium" (unknown name)
ID of the living persons
ID of the dead persons
ID of the parts of the body and human remains
IDENTIFICATION OF THE LIVING PERSONS treating physicians forensic pathologists if it is not possible to obtain reliable
information about identity from the treated person (coma, amnesia, mental defect, infancy, language barriers)
IDENTIFICATION OF THE LIVING PERSONS check the identity before each medical
examination especially carefully if it is intended for
medicolegal purposes – medical certificate about body injuries (clinical medicolegal examination)
clinical medicolegal examination for expertise he survived a stab wound to the neck
IDENTIFICATION OF THE LIVING PERSONS willful concealment or imitation of identity
EXAMPLE – The perpetrator of Arkan’s homicide escaped from the place of assassination, but he was wounded and admitted to hospital in Sabac giving false information about his identity – finally the physician was one of the accused in the court procedure with explanation that he was intentionally involved in hiding the murderer.
statements obtained from relatives can be false S-898/03 A 59-year-old woman was admitted to hospital her husband gave information about her name, but without personal documents
on discharge it was shown that her husband gave false
information – in fact, she was a Polish citizen without Serbian citizenship
IDENTIFICATION OF THE LIVING PERSONS
in
the medical records the method of identification must be registered
- personal statement - relatives
- documents
IDENTIFICATION OF THE DEAD PERSONS forensic pathologist in cooperation with
other specialists and experts (any doctor may be called upon to assist in ID) humanitarian legal administrative reasons ONE INDIVIDUAL
- un-witnessed death - found without personal documents
unidentified exhumed body cca 2 years after burial
a dead infant found in a container
MORE INDIVIDUALS - mass disasters (air crush, earthquake, fire, terroristic attack in New York, Cunami) - wars (former Yugoslavia)
This photo was found in one digital camera a month after Cunami on the island Sumatra. The wave was 32 m high. It was probably the last photo of the author who died a few seconds after taking this picture.
PROCEDURES external examination
medicolegal autopsy other procedures
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE RESULTS OF ID: ID of the whole body or only the parts of the
body supposed identity (expected victims) - air
crush (list of the passengers, bombing of RTS building) the extent of alteration of the body - post-
mortem changes or injuries (putrefaction, carbonization, traumatic destruction)
advanced putrefaction
an unidentified putrefied body found in the river
post-mortem injuries – inflicted by a dog
post-mortem injuries
decapitation - running over by a train
destruction of the body- running over by a train
destruction of the head – firearm injuries
S-523/03 & 524/03 combined homicide and suicide by means of an explosive device – destruction of the bodies
fire a carbonized (charred) body
fire a carbonized (charred) body
fire a carbonized (charred) body
exhumed body – cca 2 years after burial with effects of the flame
BASIC ELEMENTS OF ID 1. determination of sex 2. estimation of age 3. determination of personal identity
METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION 1. ID by means of personal documents
METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION the methods of identification of the living and
dead are mostly the same - use of medicolegal autopsy for deceased identification
by
means
of
personal
documents document
with an individual photograph (identity card, passport) - the face must be preserved so that comparison with photograph is possible
document with an individual photograph passport - identity card - driving license -
for medicolegal purposes – type of
document and its number should be recorded serious mistakes are possible by using
documents without photographs EXAMPLE The body of a dead male was found lying in the street, and transported to the Institute of Forensic Medicine as identified - the name and the age were registered on the order of the investigating judge (Hanic Bajazit, 42 years old). The autopsy was performed, it was the natural death due to myocardial infarction.
After the autopsy had been finished, one man came to the institute in order to give the information about his deceased brother, and he said that his own name was Hanic Bajazit. It was surprising for us, because it may happen that father and son have the same name, but for the brothers it is quite unusual. When we checked up the method of identification, the whole situation was cleared up. Hanic Bajazit was really alive, though his two years younger brother Emir died.
The explanation for confusion was that only Bajazit had social and healthy insurance, so that both brothers used it on the basis of one medical-care booklet named on Hanic Bajazit. As it is document without photograph, the same document may be used by more than one person.
In the moment of dying, Hanic Emir had this medical-care booklet of his brother Bajazit in his pocket, and when the police found this document, they wrongly determined the identity by means of it. Therefore the complete proper procedure of identification was performed from the beginning in our institute.
DETERMINATION OF SEX
primary and secondary sexual characteristics (eventual problem of hermaphroditism)
possible even in advanced putrefaction (uterus and prostate highly resistant to decomposition)
exhumed body – cca 2 years after burial male external genitals were recognizable
DETERMINATION OF AGE THE ASSESSMENT OF AGE IS ALWAYS APPROXIMATE EXTERNAL SIGNS - body stature (child or adult),
sexual characteristics (age before or after the puberty), grey or white hair, arcus senilis, wrinkling and senile skin pigmentation, arthritic changes, tooth eruption INTERNAL
SIGNS - ossification centres and epiphyseal union, examined directly or by roentgenography; senile changes (atherosclerosis, osteoporosis)
EPIPHYSEAL UNION - the proximal part of the humerus - cartilaginous boundary between epiphysis and diaphysis - up to around 15; ossificated, but distinct boundary - around 21-22; the boundary is disappeared over 22
Q
DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL BODY FEATURES
height, weight, general physique and colour of the skin
general body characteristics - hair, beard, moustache, other body hair, eyes, ear lobes, nose, lips, fingers, nails, length of feet, teeth, etc.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL FEATURES EXTERNAL FEATURES - scars, old injuries,
congenital deformities, striae, moles, warts, vitiligo, circumcision, tattoos (tattoos - from Polynesian "ta tau", meaning "to mark") TEETH - special importance in identification OCCUPATIONAL
manual work
STIGMATA
-
rough
rhinophyma
circular scars from cigarette burns
scars after a firearm injury
recent scars from shot-gun pellets
scars after a firearm injury and surgery
exhumed corpse adipocere
preserved characteristic tattoo
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL FEATURES FUNCTIONAL
DESCRIPTION OF CLOTHES AND OTHER OBJECTS clothes, jewellery, pencils, keys, etc. -
should be - described - photographed - retained (book of belongings)
PRESENTATION (SHOWING) the showing of the
- living person – recognising of perpetrators - dead body firstly
it is essential to get detailed description from the family members
comparison
of the post-mortem data obtained by the ID procedure and antemortem data obtained from the family members of the deceased
PRESENTATION (SHOWING) recognising procedure performed by the
family members of the deceased
showing of the dead body - must be
adequatly prepared for the presentation
if the body is highly altered the presentation should be avoided
PRESENTATION (SHOWING) - SHORTCOMINGS recognition of dead persons - embarrassing
and stressful subjectivity even in fresh bodies, the facial appearance is
altered due to post-mortem changes (muscular flaccidity) possible mistakes - a common occurrence in
mortuary viewing rooms for a close relative, even a parent or a spouse, to have doubts about - or even to deny or mistakenly agree to the identity of the deceased person
showing
clothes objects
of the and other
uncertain method (possibility of changing of personal belongings, e.g. clothes)
IDENTITY FROM TEETH FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY (DENTISTRY) the teeth are the hardest and most resistant tissues in the body – can survive decomposition, even severe fire
the putrefied corpse found in the river
exhumed corpse – adipocere ante-mortem loss of upper teeth preserved lower teeth for ID
teeth can survive even severe fire
ESTIMATION OF AGE if less than 20-25 years
- the eruption of both the deciduous and permanent teeth senile,
wear and degenerative changes, loss of teeth in advanced age
DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS
Q
individuality of the dental status number, appearance and arrangement of teeth comparing
of post-mortem and antemortem status
naked
eye appearance
examination
-
external
accurate ante-mortem dental essential for ID (in Serbia available)
record is is rarely
specific external appearances
specific external appearances
ROENTGENOGRAPHY - internal appearance (shape of dental roots, extractions, caries, fillings, crowns, dental plates) - ante-mortem X-rays must be available for ID 1990
post-mortem X-ray
1985
ante-mortem X-ray
ROENTGENOGRAPHY - internal appearance (shape of dental roots, extractions, caries, fillings, crowns, dental plates) - ante-mortem X-rays must be available for ID 1990
post-mortem X-ray
1985
ante-mortem X-ray
exhumed human body
specific dental prosthetic work
exhumed human body
specific dental prosthetic work
autopsy appearance
X-ray
X-ray - orthopantomogram positive ID if ante-mortem X-ray is available
dentures marked with metallic plates with embedded personal number
PHOTOGRAPH facial
appearance - frontal and profile photographs important in situations when recognizing of the body can not be performed immediately (the family members are not available)
specific individual features - tattoos, scars,
moles, warts, vitiligo, circumcision, etc. clothes and personal belongings - photographs
can be retained and sent to the distant places for recognizing (book of belongings)
living person
dead person
PHOTOSUPERIMPOSITION skull picture
PHOTOSUPERIMPOSITION
A photograph of the possible identitee is overlaid with a transparency of the skull, photographically enlarged and orientated to match the portrait (computerized matching is available).
PHOTOSUPERIMPOSITION - matching
PHOTOSUPERIMPOSITION
If the two fit, by correspondence of anatomical landmarks such as chin, teeth, supraorbital ridges, etc., then the two could be identical, though this cannot be totally proved. If they do not fit, at least an exclusion is obtained.
PHOTOSUPERIMPOSITION - matching
X-RAY the estimation of ossification centers
(individual age) roentgenographic dental status specific individual features - form and
size of some body parts (thorax, appearance of the frontal sinuses specific as fingerprints) callus (bony scars after previous fractures), metallic prostheses, osteomyelitis
the frontal sinus pattern individually specific as fingerprints – ante-mortem X-ray is necessary
a comparison between premortem and postmortem films – ID by identity of configuration and orientation of the prosthesis and adjacent bony structures
the healed fracture - callus
healed injuries from shot-gun pellets specific external and X-ray appearance
ID - comparing of post-mortem and ante-mortem X-rays EXAMPLE - A 48-year-old male submitted to appropriate commission an application for disability pension, with the certificate about a 7month-hospital treatment due to pulmonary TBC. On the basis of this document, the commission proclaimed him to be unable for work, and ordered him to come again one month later, for the control examination, but with the complete medical documentation. On this control examination, he enclosed only one X-ray with severe diffuse bilateral changes typical for TBC,
The place for the name on this X-ray was erased.
The commission suspected this film to be false, and on that occasion a new X-ray was made.
completely healthy lungs and totally different, cylindrical shape of thorax comparing with the appearance on the previous film
He was accused for submitting the false certificate,
and during the expertise procedure two more X-rays, as well as tomography were done, all of them showing the same appearance.
After all it was undoubtedly proved that the firstly submitted certificate was false, as well as X-ray with tuberculous changes.
FINGERPRINTS
Q
the fingerprints are unique
- even identical twins do not have identical fingerprints eventually palm and sole prints may be
used not
aplicable only if the skin of the fingertips is destroyed by injuries (burns) or post-mortem changes
the pattern of prints comprises arches, loops, whorls or composites - no less than 16 points of similarity before declaring prints to be identical
nowadays the computed comparison is available FINGERPRINTS EXAMINER
archive of fingerprints is necessary for ID for the whole population in Serbia in some countries only for criminally registered persons
advanced adipocere (saponification)
On August 22nd 2007 two friends left one restaurant near the Belgrade driving the car, and after that they disappeared, so that their families reported their missing to the police. About one and half month later, on October 6th 2007 their car was found in a 4 meters deep channel beside the way, almost completely in the water, but rolled over on the roof. Two persons were found in the car in the advanced state of adipocere. In spite of that, positive identification was done without DNA analysis on the basis of the typical body features (height, stature, hair, teeth, previous appendectomy), clothing and personal documents).
fingerprinting could not be used due to the state of the hands
poor dental status described by his family
up to 30cm long black hair found beside the head - described by his family
preserved clothing described by his family
personal documents found in the pocket
Nikola Milutinović, 29 years
IDENTIFICATION OF THE PARTS OF THE BODY AND HUMAN REMAINS partially or completely divided bodies ante-mortem due to injuries
- individual cases - mass disasters (earthquake, air crush) post-mortem – by animals or by the
murderer in order to conceal the victim (dismemberment)
TRAUMATIC AMPUTATION OF AN ARM IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
ID of victims of bombing of RTS building human remains and parts of the bodies
A PART OF THE LEG FOUND IN THE RIVER adipocere and postmortem injuries
POST-MORTEM DISMEMBERED BODY OF A MURDERED DRUG ADDICT
parts of the living person - kidnapping - the
perpetrators cut some part of the body (an ear lobe or a finger) and send it as a proof that they posses the certain person cooperation of
calculation on the basis of the length of long bones stature of the male whites = 65.53 + 2.32 femur 3.95 cm What is the race? - racial variations are
difficult to assess
Can a personal identity be discovered?
specific characteristics and changes of skeleton Paget’s disease, osteomas, osteophytes, callus
foreign bodies such as metal prostheses, bullets
frontal sinus pattern
facial reconstruction
DNA analysis
identification of a homicide victim, buried for almost two years in a garden, was achieved by matching his callus from a previous femoral fracture, with the medical notes and radiographs obtained from a hospital. The shape and size of the callus, was identical to follow-up films taken during life
the healed fracture – callus (femur)
the healed fracture
callus
the healed fracture – callus (X-ray)
a comparison between premortem and postmortem films – ID by identity of configuration and orientation of the prosthesis and adjacent bony structures
the frontal sinus pattern individually specific as fingerprints – ante-mortem X-ray is necessary
facial reconstruction from the skull
samples for DNA analysis long bone (femur) and teeth
threshold of investigative interest lies at around 70 years
the diagnostic criteria - presence of soft tissue remnants, the density and feel of the bone (the bone with preserved organic stroma feels greasy and heavy), dryness and brittleness
the major problem in dating bones - the environment is far more potent than time in changing the state of the bone
EXAMPLE S-497/98 the bones found during the digging of ground
The opinion of the forensic anthropologist:
Skeletal remnants consist of frontal bone, both parietal bones, occipital bone, both jaws, both clavicles, three cervical and two thoracic vertebras, right scapula, and three right ribs.
These remnants belong to one person aged about 11.
On the basis of the established changed, the child suffered from some metabolic stress, such as infectious disease or malnutrition.
On the basis of their appearance and the external conditions, it may be concluded that these bones were more than 40 years in the ground.
Thank you for your attention
video presentation S-485/2001 (tape I)
a human trunk found in the Danube
adipocere
final identification – DNA profiling
SLAJDOVI specific features labium leporinum L-1121/68 pes equinovarus L-565/64 a foot with four fingers scars on the tigh - celloid D-379/95 celloid D-379/95 - hands scars - back of the trunk and butocks tetovacije S-1132/72 "smrt kurvama" tetovacije “bugar“ na dojkama scull with knife scull with the bone defect scull - entrance hole scull - exit hole scull - direction of bullit trajectory
PHOTOS – RTS, noga iz vode bones - S-497/98 SCULLS – gun shot, knife, blunt, screw driver BOOKS – odontology, anthropology VIDEO TAPE - S-485/2001 (tape I)