Forensic Identification of Human Remains PDF

**OUTLINE** I. **General Principles, Concept and Approach to Forensic Identification** A. **What is Identification** B. **Typical Unknowns** C. **Importance of Establishing the Identity of Human Remains** II. **Classification of Identification Based on Degree of Certainty** A. **Defin...

**OUTLINE** I. **General Principles, Concept and Approach to Forensic Identification** A. **What is Identification** B. **Typical Unknowns** C. **Importance of Establishing the Identity of Human Remains** II. **Classification of Identification Based on Degree of Certainty** A. **Definitive Identification** B. **Presumptive Identification** C. **Speculative Identification** III. **General Approach to Identifying Human Remains** IV. **Methods of Identification of Human** A. **Non-Scientific Methods** B. **Scientific Methods** V. **Techniques in Comparing the Remains with Antemortem Information and Records** A. **Autopsy -- External Examination** B. **Autopsy- Internal Examination** C. **Radiographic Examination** D. **Photosuperimposition** VI. **Establishing Broad Groupings for Exclusionary Purpose (Biological Profile: Age, Sex, Stature, Ancestry)** A. **Age Determination- Autopsy** B. **Age Determination- Radiographic Examination** C. **Age Determination- Anthropologic Examination** D. **Sex Determination- Autopsy** E. **Sex Determination- Anthropologic Examination** F. **Sex Determination- Skull** G. **Sex Determination- Pelvis** H. **Sex Determination- Others** I. **Stature Determination- Autopsy** J. **Stature Determination- Anthropologic Examination** K. **Ancestry Determination** VII. **Approach to Forensic Identification** +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **LEGEND** | | | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | ⭐ | 🖊️ | 📖 | | | | | | Must | Lecture | Book | | | | | | Know | *\[lec\]* | *\[bk\]* | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES, CONCEPTS, AND APPROACH TO FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION {#i.-general-principles-concepts-and-approach-to-forensic-identification.TransOutline} ======================================================================== A. WHAT IS IDENTIFICATION? {#a.-what-is-identification.TransSubtopic1} -------------------------- - **What is Identification? ** - 🖊️The determination of the individuality of a person or thing.  - *We're talking about the identity of a dead person, and this involves mainly comparing antemortem data that is associated with a known identity to post-mortem data that we can gather from an unknown corpse. * B. TYPICAL UNKNOWNS {#b.-typical-unknowns.TransSubtopic1} ------------------- - 🖊️*For whatever reason cannot be visually identified e.g.  face severely injured, badly decomposed, or they have been charred or they have been reduced to their skeletons * - homeless  - trauma to the head and face  - bodies recovered from the water  - charred remains  - decomposed bodies  - skeletonized remains  C. IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING THE IDENTITY OF HUMAN REMAINS {#c.-importance-of-establishing-the-identity-of-human-remains.TransSubtopic1} ----------------------------------------------------------- - 🖊️*Important for humanitarian reasons, allows the family to start their grieving process. * - Permits notification of next of kin  - For the proper discharge of legal claims and obligations in relation to property, estate, and debts  - 🖊️*Say for instance, that person left a will, unless it can be established that the executor of the will is really dead, then they can't start probate proceedings on that, they can't execute the will. So, it'd be necessary to establish the identity of the dead person for that purpose. * - Completion of death certificate  - For official, statistical, and legal purposes (*Policymaking) * - May be helpful in determining the cause and manner of death in non-criminal cases  - Facilitates death investigation by law enforcement - 🖊️*Many times, the identity of the deceased is necessary in order to get good leads, in order to trace back what the dead person was up to before he died. * II. CLASSIFICATION OF IDENTIFICATION BASED ON DEGREE OF CERTAINTY {#ii.-classification-of-identification-based-on-degree-of-certainty.TransOutline} ================================================================= A. DEFINITIVE IDENTIFICATION {#a.-definitive-identification.TransSubtopic1} ---------------------------- - **Definitive Identification ** - Legally sufficient identification based on objective comparison of antemortem and postmortem information. B. PRESUMPTIVE IDENTIFICATION {#b.-presumptive-identification.TransSubtopic1} ----------------------------- - **Presumptive Identification ** - 🖊️A *tad lower in terms of certainty to definitive identification; we think that the corpse is this person, more likely it's this person, but we can't be sure that he could be someone else * - positive identification has more likely than not been established, however, all other possibilities could not be excluded. C.SPECULATIVE IDENTIFICATION {#c.speculative-identification.TransSubtopic1} ---------------------------- - **Speculative Identification ** - *almost as good as the deceased not being identified* - lowest degree of certainty and for all intents and purposes, renders the decedent unidentified.  III.GENERAL APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING HUMAN REMAINS {#iii.general-approach-to-identifying-human-remains.TransOutline} ================================================= - 🖊️*In general, if we have a method that is capable of providing us a definitive identification, if that's available, we SELECT that. Whatever is the easiest way to get the identification fast, that's what we do, but sometimes it's not available. * - Apply a method that will result in definitive identification  - If not available, apply multiple other methods (may result in enough circumstantial evidence to be sometimes sufficient to produce a definitive identification)  - Multifaceted Team Approach  - Combined efforts and resources of local law enforcement agencies in consultation with forensic experts of various fields  - 🖊️*It would be best to have input from your fingerprint examiner, from your odontologist doing the dental examination. If you have skeletal remains, it would be best to have input from an anthropologist. * - 🖊️*If you have a body or flesh there, then the Forensic Physician, the Medicolegal Physician, or the Medicolegal Officer would play an important role. * - In most cases, the body is tagged at the scene  - 🖊️ *Many times, the identity that has been attached to the body at the scene is considered DEFINITIVE. * - *But the rule is, if there's any reason to doubt the accuracy of the identity tagged to the body at the scene, you have to verify with these acceptable methods of identification. * - Generally accepted as definitive, but should be confirmed when  IV. METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN REMAINS {#iv.-methods-of-identification-of-human-remains.TransOutline} ============================================== A.NON-SCIENTIFIC {#a.non-scientific.TransSubtopic1} ---------------- - 🖊️W*hatever you can gather from the scene * - Clothing and other personal effects  - The fact that the decedent is found in one's residence/ property --- *especially if it doesn't seem like the person is living with someone else or if it's a very secure residence. * - **⭐ Visual identification** is *the MOST COMMON method of identification.* VISUAL IDENTIFICATION {#visual-identification.TransSub-subtopic2} --------------------- - 🖊️*Definitive, Presumptive --- in certain circumstances because* of the limitations.  - **By someone with personal knowledge** about the decedent's appearance.  - **The most common method** ---*involves a person who knows the deceased saying "Yes, this is the person that I know". * - This may be done directly or indirectly  - **Directly** *--- as in the identifier visualizing the actual face of the decedent; or visualization through a looking glass*. - **Indirectly ** - Photograph - CCTV - Artist's sketch - Facial reconstruction - Depends on knowledge of the usual thickness at a multitude of points on the normal skull  - 🖊️*thinking about just how much tissue usually would be over this point of the skull, the hope is if you can get a 3D reconstruction of the face from the skull, you can show it to people, and somebody would recognize that 3D reconstruction, and give you a lead at least * - *if made from 3D reconstruction/ mere visage/ facial approximation then it is **likely SPECULATIVE, Presumptive at best. *** - Sculptors using modeling clay and graphic artists  - Accuracy is currently not known  #### LIMITATIONS OF VISUAL IDENTIFICATION {#limitations-of-visual-identification.TransSub-subtopic3} - **Relies on memory** and ability to make a **rapid** mental comparison of physical features **under stressful conditions** --- 🖊️ *If the identifier is supposed to be someone who knows the deceased (like the mother or father), then you can imagine that the mother or father at the time would be under severe stress, they might be in denial. Even though the corpse is actually his son or his daughter, they might not want to acknowledge that fact, and that could lead to misidentification. Or they might actually be pressured to think that it's their son even though it's not and cause a false identification. * - **Facial and bodily distortion** from injury and postmortem changes --- *when you're dead, you lose a lot of muscle tension, and you become flaccid. * - Facial distortion in indirect methods --- *the more that your body decomposes, the more your body gets distorted, you go through a phase of bloating and then purging, causing facial bodily distortion. Or maybe the face is injured. * - *The face is **without usual adornments** --- maybe the identifier has not seen the deceased without makeup (limits reliability).* - ***Deliberate misidentification** to disguise a homicide or collecting death benefits and insurance --- there's always the possibility wherein the identifier might be in cahoots with the living person pretending to be dead so they can claim death benefits. * {#section.TransSub-subtopic2} CLOTHING AND PERSONAL EFFECTS {#clothing-and-personal-effects.TransSub-subtopic2} ----------------------------- - 🖊️***Presumptive, Definitive *** - Useful information on clothing:  - Names, initials, other markings  - Uniform, uniform logos  - Social class or groupings  - Useful personal effects:  - IDs, credit cards --- 🖊️ *Especially the ones with the full name and face of the deceased, that way you can make the Visual Identification yourself. * - Documents bearing the decedent's name or writings - Eyeglasses, watches, jewelry *engraving * - Dog tags  B. SCIENTIFIC {#b.-scientific.TransSubtopic1} ------------- FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS {#fingerprint-analysis.TransSub-subtopic2} -------------------- - 🖊️***Definitive if you can get it matched, Presumptive** (if depending on the quality of the prints, the ability of the examiner) * - Based on principles of fingerprint individuality and permanence  - 🖊️ *No two persons have the same set of fingerprints* - *it is said that the probability of 2 persons having the same set of fingerprints is 1:64 billion and there are not 64 billion people in the world, so you're not going to share it with anyone else not even your twin * - *fingerprints are permanent that's why it's IDEAL for identification. * - *you are born with them, and you will die with them.  They are impressions of your friction ridges which are formed in the 3rd month AOG, by the 12th week AOG, you would have generally already formed all of it, in your hands, fingers, soles of your feet, and toes. They are based on the same characteristic of individuality. * - The easiest and one of the most reliable methods - Antemortem exemplars are commonly available - 🖊️*from civilian records to criminal records, you leave fingerprints in the office, school, on your doorknobs, from everywhere. * - Even when damaged, usable prints are often **recoverable ** - 🖊️ *useful, reliable even when you cut your finger, your friction ridges grow back the same exact way. The only way you lose it is when you damage your finger to the dermis, and since you have friction ridges all over your palms, not just the tip of your fingers, you have it in your feet, and toe, you still have some usable prints somewhere. * - A single partial print may suffice for comparison - *even if you lose all 9 fingers, one finger is enough to link you to your fingerprints. That\'s enough to make you **Definitive Identification. *** - Collecting prints does not require much training - Facilitated by the **Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) --** *arrived in the Philippines only in 2015. Has millions of fingerprints in its database*. Capable of comparing up to 3M sets of fingerprints in 1 minute, that's how fast it is. - Permits rapid entry, comparison, and identification (but not confirmatory) - The computer compares patterns of minutiae **Figure 1.** The 3 MAIN FINGERPRINT PATTERNS. - 🖊️Figure interpretation: - Top to Bottom: - 1\) Plain arch, - 2\) Single Loop - 3\) Plain Whorl - 🖊️***Minutiae** are formed in 3 ways: (1) either the friction ridge bifurcates, (2) the friction ridge ends (called an Ending Ridge), (3) or the friction ridge is so short it looks like a dot (called A Dot) (explained in detail in Forensic Identification lecture video: Part 1, 19:40-20:20) * - *Suddenly splits into two- bifurcation (4 parang letter Y; from one line nagiging two) * - *Following a ridge then leading to nothing-ridge ending (isang guhit tapos biglang walang karugtong as in natapos lang siya, naputol na) * - *What the AFIS does: it detects all these minutiae, all the ridge endings, bifurcations, and dots, that\'s the pattern it stores and compares. * - **Fingerprint Types ** - **Latent -** Not readily available to the eye; detected and developed through processing.  - 🖊️*prints not readily visible, so you do something to make them visible such as the powder-and-brush technique or **cyanoacrylate fuming method**. * - **Patent -** Readily visible; carried or created using some other medium *like ink or blood or paint * - **Plastic ** - Created when the finger is pressed into a soft material that then takes on 3D aspects of the fingerprint.  - 🖊️*3D prints, when you press your finger to a soft material and it hardens and retains the 3D aspects of the print * - *e.g. resin, putty, modeling clay * #### LIMITATION OF FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS {#limitation-of-fingerprint-analysis.TransSub-subtopic3} - Lies in the analysis of the matching of the sets of prints with one another, that's where the errors come in. AFIS only generates possible matches. In order to confirm identity, the analyst would have to confirm it - Availability of exemplars - Quality of the prints - Ability of the fingerprint examiner #### ROLE OF MEDICOLEGAL MD {#role-of-medicolegal-md.TransSub-subtopic3} - 🖊️ *We are not the fingerprint examiner * - Our role is to facilitate fingerprint recovery from the corpse. - **What if the Corpse is Not Fresh Anymore? What if: ** - **Strong rigor** --- force the flexed fingers back or slitting the flexor tendons  - **Mummified prints** --- soaked in water then injected with water/ glycerol subcutaneously 🖊️ before *you have the fingers rolled * - **Charred fingers** --- amputated at DIP (distal interphalangeal joint)  - **Sloughed skin** --- may be placed in formalin, alcohol or glycerin solution; wear sloughed skin over gloved hand and roll the fingers  - If skin is sloughed and unavailable --- print the dermis - **Note**: lip prints are unique enough to permit identification --- 🖊️ problem *is finding exemplars to compare your lip prints with, not just as common as fingerprints; if you don't have antemortem comparative data, then all of it is just an exercise in futility*.  DENTAL ANALYSIS {#dental-analysis.TransSub-subtopic2} --------------- - *Definitive, Presumptive * - Teeth are unique and the most durable structures of the  human body  - 🖊️ *can withstand decomposition, heat, and other environmental elements * - One of the most reliable methods of identification - 🖊️ *No two persons have the same set or configuration of teeth; durable structure*--- *withstand decomposition, heat* - Involve comparing a multitude of dental features - 🖊️e.*g., restorations, configuration, residual fragments, alignment, spacing * - Major antemortem records used for comparison: **Dental and skull radiographs ** - 🖊️ ***Dental radiograph*** --- *you*'*re getting the BEST quality data analysis from that * - Photographs of the subject smiling --- 🖊️ *The odontologist can try to use these * - Dental charts --- *least reliable since they are not written for the purpose of forensic identification; so might be short of useful information * - May also be used for age\*, race, and sex determination - 🖊️*Biological profile--- helps narrow down the possible identities of Jane or John Doe * - 🖊️*Teeth are **MOST USEFUL for AGE determination/ estimation**. Race and sex determination are better for anthropological methods or comparison of anatomical features in autopsy* +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Table 1.** Dental Analysis | | +===================================+===================================+ | **Age Determination in Children, | **Age Determination in Older** | | Young Adults** | | | | **Adults** | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Predictable sequence of tooth | - 🖊️As age increases, value of | | eruption in younger | teeth in age determination | | | diminishes, not as accurate, | | - Predictable closure of root | but can still be used. | | apices and eruption of 3^rd^ | | | molar in older | - Lamendin Method is most | | | reliable: | | - Accurate within several | | | months | | | | | | | - Most accurate method of | | | aging, especially 40-60 years | | | old | | | | | | - Formula may need correction | | | factors for ancestry and sex | | | 🖊️ *used in French | | | population* | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dentine translucency and | | | periodontosis increase with | | | age | | | | | | | | | | | | - Uses the proportion of | | | periodontosis | | | | | | - Periodontium degenerates with | | | age | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+  #### LIMITATIONS OF DENTAL ANALYSIS {#limitations-of-dental-analysis.TransSub-subtopic3} - Availability of antemortem records  - Quality of antemortem records  - Recency of antemortem records - Ability of the odontologist - Error ranges in age, sex, and race determination DNA ANALYSIS {#dna-analysis.TransSub-subtopic2} ------------ - 🖊️ *Definitive (if strong match like 99.9%), Presumptive (if* *probability is lower like 90%)* - 🖊️*King in Forensic Identification, nowadays; taken over dental analysis*. - The DNA profile is unique to each person, except in monozygotic twins - DNA is found throughout the body - PCR allows for testing of minute samples --- 🖊️ *Vaginal secretions, semen, sweat, saliva, buccal swabs, blood, tissues, etc. Easy to leave on inanimate objects; can be amplified using PCR*. - Similarity of DNA profile with relatives - **The cornerstone of modern forensic science identification** #### LIMITATION OF DNA ANALYSIS {#limitation-of-dna-analysis.TransSub-subtopic3} - Degradation of the sample (due to decomposition) - Availability of antemortem comparative data - 🖊️ *Doesn't rely so much on the ability of the analyst, the odontologist, or the fingerprint examiner since the results/ probabilities are generated by a computer* +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Table 2. DNA Analysis -- | | | Techniques** | | +===================================+===================================+ | Autosomal DNA STR Analysis | Mitochondrial DNA Analysis | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Current technique of choice | - mtDNA are inherited | | used in forensic | maternally and the sequence | | identification. | does not change from to child | | | | | - 🖊️*Takes advantage of the | | | existence of **short-tandem | | | repeats** in the human genome | - 🖊️ *Not a method of choice* | | which comprises about 3% of | | | the human genome; everyone | - Does not allow | | has these STR's* | individualization | | | (establishes only that | | - Number of repeat units in an | subject is a biological | | STR fragment is highly | relative on the mother side) | | variable between persons | | | | | | - Combined DNA Index System | | | (CODIS) uses a standard 13 | - Important when decomposition | | STR genetic locations | has degraded DNA from the | | | usual sources | | - STR locations can be | | | amplified using PCR and then | | | analyzed by | | | **electrophoresis** to | - High copy number (hundreds) | | separate the STR fragments | of mtDNA molecules in each | | according to size. | cell. | | | | | | - May be obtained from hair | | | without roots. | | | | | | - 🖊️*May be superior since you | | | have hundreds of copies of | | | mitochondrial DNA in* *a | | | single cell. And you only | | | have one copy of autosomal | | | DNA in a single cell which | | | you find in the nucleus.* | | | | | | | | | | | | - 🖊️*So if the tissue is | | | degrading, the chances that | | | you can still get | | | mitochondrial DNA from that | | | is still greater compared to | | | quality Autosomal DNA from | | | the same tissue; can get | | | mtDNA from hair without | | | roots, from the shaft of | | | hair. That is how helpful | | | that is.* | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Table 3. DNA Analysis -- | | | Results Interpretation** | | +===================================+===================================+ | Complete DNA Profile | Complete complement of | | | | | | DNA types detected at all | | | | | | the genetic locations | | | | | | tested. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Partial DNA Profile | DNA types detected at | | | | | | some, but not all, of the | | | | | | genetic locations tested | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Profiles "Match" | - Two DNA specimens give | | | | | | the same DNA types at | | | | | | every genetic location | | | | | | Reported as an estimate | | | | | | of how frequently the | | | | | | DNA profile is expected | | | | | | to be seen in a given | | | | | | population. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ #### ROLE OF MEDICOLEGAL MD {#role-of-medicolegal-md-1.TransSub-subtopic3} - To facilitate recovery of DNA samples from the corpse. - 🖊️*can get samples from*: - **Blood** - ⭐**Deep skeletal muscle** (*been challenged recently; if decomposing, you may resort to hyaline cartilage)* - **Bones** *(flat bones, ribs, long bones)* - **Hyaline cartilage** *(🖊️ One study says this might be superior to deep skeletal muscle because hyaline cartilage decomposes later than deep skeletal muscle)* - **Teeth** *(pulp)* - ⭐Note: fixative (formalin) denatures and destroys DNA so freeze the sample instead until submitted to the DNA lab 🖊️ *If you're getting samples from your corpse to send to the DNA lab, DON'T FIXATE them with formalin, it denatures DNA. Freeze instead!* ANALYSIS OF ANATOMICAL AND MEDICAL FEATURES {#analysis-of-anatomical-and-medical-features.TransSub-subtopic2} ------------------------------------------- - 🖊️ *Where our central role will be* - Autopsy - Radiographic Examination - Photosuperimposition - Anthropologic Examination -- 🖊️anthropologist in the team #### TWO MAJOR ASPECTS OF IDENTIFICATION FROM ANALYSIS OF ANATOMICAL AND MEDICAL FEATURES {#two-major-aspects-of-identification-from-analysis-of-anatomical-and-medical-features.TransSub-subtopic3} - Comparison of The Remains with Antemortem Information and Records - Limitations - Availability, quality, and recency of the antemortem information and records quality of the corpse - Establishing broad groupings for exclusionary purposes (Biological profile: age, sex, stature, ancestry) - 🖊️*If you can't get Definitive Identification of the corpse,* *then you should at least try to get a Biological Profile* ⭐**Table 3. Review Table** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- **Non-Scientific** Visual Definitive, Presumptive Clothing and Personal Effects Definitive, Presumptive **Scientific** Fingerprint Analysis Definitive, Presumptive Dental Analysis Definitive, Presumptive DNA Analysis Definitive (90%), Presumptive (10%)  Techniques in Comparing the remains with antemortem information and records Autopsy- External Examination Presumptive, Speculative Autopsy- Internal Examination Definitive, Presumptive Radiographic Examination Definitive, Presumptive Photosuperimposition Definitive, Presumptive V. Techniques in Comparing the Remains with Antemortem Information and Records {#v.-techniques-in-comparing-the-remains-with-antemortem-information-and-records.TransOutline} ============================================================================== A. Autopsy -- External Examination {#a.-autopsy-external-examination.TransSubtopic1} ---------------------------------- - 🖊️ *Gross examination; Presumptive identification or possibly just a speculative one; unlikely to get definitive ones.* - Facial appearance  - **Eye color ** - 🖊️ *Eye color degrades very fast within hours; the cornea clouds, so it's hard to appreciate the eye color within hours. And everyone's eye color eventually turns dark brown with progressing decomposition.* - **Skin pigmentation ** - 🖊️ *As we decay, as we decompose, everyone's skin darkens and becomes discolored.*  - **Hair color and structure ** - 🖊️ *Hair is very durable, existed even for millennia, but it's also easily changed like a rebonded corpse, and that's not how they were remembered. * - *🖊️ The more unique the feature, the better for identification.* - **Birthmarks ** - **Tattoos ** - 🖊️ *The more unique the feature, the better. * - *Like if it is a tattoo of his own name or his/her spouse, then you can get a **Definitive Identification** on the basis of the tattoo, BUT if the tattoo is something like a generic barb wire that might not be as useful as the name of a person. * - **Scar ** - 🖊️ *The more distinctive, the better for the purpose of identification*  - **Other evidence of prior injury ** - **Congenital abnormalities ** - **Ear shape ** - 🖊️ *The more distinctive, the better for the purpose of identification*  - **The pattern of veins in the hand dorsum ** - 🖊️ *Also, unique; also a problem with the antemortem comparative data; cannot draw the vein patterns* B. Autopsy- Internal Examination {#b.-autopsy--internal-examination.TransSubtopic1} -------------------------------- - 🖊️ *Definitive, Presumptive*  - **Surgically implanted devices** - 🖊️ **Serial numbers or manufacturer information** because that can lead to the manufacturer, leading where the hospital where the  surgery occurred, and that hospital can provide the identity of  "John/Jane Doe"  - **Surgical absence of organs or other anatomical anomalies due to surgery** - 🖊️ *Not going to give you a definitive identification like surgically implanted devices.*  - **Diseases, injury, congenital abnormality** C. Radiographic Examination {#c.-radiographic-examination.TransSubtopic1} --------------------------- - 🖊️ *Definitive or Presumptive -- depending on the uniqueness and the level of match you get.*  - Involves **superimposition of ante- and postmortem x-rays.** - Assumes the predominant role of cases of fire, advanced decomposition, mutilation  - Good practice to take full-body X-rays of all unviewable bodies - Forensic anthropologists may be consulted  - **Limitations: ** - The degree to which the postmortem X-ray matches the position of the antemortem X-ray - 🖊️ *if you can't match the positioning right, you will never get a match based on superimposition.*  - Currently no standard as to how comparison is done. - 🖊️ *It's been suggested that if you can find unique skeletal features or one distinctive skeletal feature with no discordant skeletal feature, that would provide you with **definitive identification.***** ** - Useful skeletal parts/features  - **Vertebral column ** - Probably **most useful**  - There is great individual variability in the size, shape, and configuration of the bone  - Commonly shows degenerative changes that may be compared  - **Frontal sinus ** - Most unique among skull sinuses, **no two individuals have the same frontal sinus** even if you have a twin: as good as the fingerprint or dental analysis  - Well-protected  - Only fully develops by early adulthood  - **Other skull features ** - Mastoid air cells  - Sphenoid bones  - Arterial and venous markings  - Suture markings  - **Axial skeleton features ** - Clavicle  - Ribs   - Shoulder  - Hip  - Specific bony anomalies  E. Photosuperimposition {#e.-photosuperimposition.TransSubtopic1} ----------------------- -  🖊️ *Presumptive or Definitive -- depending on how distinctive the features you're able to match*  - Involves superimposition of antemortem head photographs and photographs of the skull  - Major anatomical landmarks are assessed if they match - Nasion  - Supraorbital ridges  - Angles of jaw  - Nasal aperture  - External auditory meatus  - ⭐ **Teeth ** - Limitation  - The degree to which the skull photo matches the position of the antemortem photo  IV. Establishing Broad Groupings for Exclusionary Purpose (Biological Profile: Age, Sex, Stature, Ancestry) {#iv.-establishing-broad-groupings-for-exclusionary-purpose-biological-profile-age-sex-stature-ancestry.TransOutline} =========================================================================================================== A. Age Determination- Autopsy {#a.-age-determination--autopsy.TransSubtopic1} ----------------------------- - Indicators of advanced age:  - Hair graying  - Loss of skin elasticity, skin thinness and hyperkeratosis - ⭐**Campbell de Morgan spots** -- 🖊️ *They are said to appear only after the age of 40 * - ⭐**Arcus senilis** -- 🖊️*pretty good determination of advanced age * - Degenerative changes A close up of a person\'s skin Description automatically generated **Figure 3.** Campbell de Morgan Spots  **Figure 4.** Arcus Senilis - Height and weight in children may be compared with standard tables  - Limitation- genetic, nutritional factors, developmental defects, and diseases can alter the appearance and a wide margin of error  B. Age Determination- Radiographic Examination {#b.-age-determination--radiographic-examination.TransSubtopic1} ---------------------------------------------- -  For \ Radius (Knight's 4E) - Femur + Tibia \> Tibia in male, humerus in female \> Femur (Gocha et. al 2013) - Limitation: Population-specific, amongst the usual variables - Trotter and Glesser formulae (1952): **most widely used** Based on American White and Negroid populations ⇨ Gocha, et. al. formulae (2013): Modern Southeast Asian - Based on Thai population 🖊️*also used in the PH* - Krogman and Iscan formulae: - Or fragmentary bones and immature bones missing epiphyses K. Ancestry Determination {#k.-ancestry-determination.TransSubtopic1} ------------------------- - Three (3) main racial groups: Caucasoid, Negroid, Mongoloid - Much depends on common knowledge and recognition of various ethnic traits - The skull is the most reliable but long bones have also been used Limitation -- wide variability due to extensive interbreeding and the marked variations even within coherent racial groups **Figure 11.** Ancestry Determination VII. Approach to Forensic Identification {#vii.-approach-to-forensic-identification.TransOutline} ======================================== - Quality of the Corpse: - Fresh - Decomposed/Burned - Mutilated/Dismembered - Skeletalized - For all of these: Use comparative antemortem data if possible - Skeletalized remains -- answer 2 questions first before making comparisons - "Are they bones?" - Usually recognizable by shape, texture, and weight - When in doubt, microscopic or chemical tests ⇨ "Are the bones human?" - Usually, recognizable too for their correspondence with human bones - Difficulties arise with small bones of the hands and feet, and in incomplete or fragmented bones - Best consult a forensic anthropologist or anatomist - Histologic examination - Serologic and DNA testing  **Figure 12.** Striking similarity between chicken bones and human metatarsal - 🖊️Figure interpretation: - A. Chicken bones - B. Human metatarsals - C. Fetal long bones GUIDE QUESTIONS {#guide-questions.TransOutline} =============== 1. What is the importance of establishing the identity of human remains? - Grieving process - For the proper discharge of legal claims and obligations in relation to property, estate, and debts  - Completion of death certificate  - Facilitates death investigation by law enforcement 2. What are the levels of forensic identification of human remains? - **Definitive Identification ** - Legally sufficient identification based on objective comparison of antemortem and postmortem information. - **Presumptive Identification ** - positive identification has more likely than not been established, however, all other possibilities could not be excluded. - **Speculative Identification ** - lowest degree of certainty and for all intents and purposes, renders the decedent unidentified.  3. Describe the approach to identifying human remains. - Apply a method that will result in definitive identification  - If not available, apply multiple other methods (may result in enough circumstantial evidence to be sometimes sufficient to produce a definitive identification)  - Multifaceted Team Approach  - Combined efforts and resources of local law enforcement agencies in consultation with forensic experts of various fields  In most cases, the body is tagged at the scene  4. What are the non-scientific methods of identifying human remains? - **NON-SCIENTIFIC** - Visual Identification - **By someone with personal knowledge** about the decedent's appearance.  - **The most common method** - **Directly** - **Indirectly ** - Photograph - CCTV - Artist's sketch - Facial reconstruction - CLOTHING AND PERSONAL EFFECTS - Useful information on clothing - Useful personal effects 5. What are the scientific methods of identifying human remains? - **SCIENTIFIC** - Fingerprint analysis - Based on principles of fingerprint individuality and permanence  - The easiest and one of the most reliable methods - Antemortem exemplars are commonly available - Even when damaged, usable prints are often **recoverable ** - A single partial print may suffice for comparison - Dental Analysis - Teeth are unique and the most durable structures of the  human body  - May also be used for age, race, and sex determination - DNA Analysis - The DNA profile is unique to each person, except in monozygotic twins - **The cornerstone of modern forensic science identification** 6. What are the strengths and limitations of the various scientific methods of identifying human remains? - LIMITATIONS OF VISUAL IDENTIFICATION - **Relies on memory** and the ability to make a **rapid** mental comparison of physical features **under stressful conditions** - **Facial and bodily distortion** from injury and postmortem changes - *The face is **without usual adornments*** - LIMITATION OF FINGER ANALYSIS - Lies in the analysis of the matching of the sets of prints with one another, that's where the errors come in. AFIS only generates possible matches. In order to confirm identity, the analyst would have to confirm it - Availability of exemplars - Quality of the prints - Ability of the fingerprint examiner - LIMITATION OF DENTAL ANALYSIS - Availability of antemortem records  - Quality of antemortem records  - Recency of antemortem records - Ability of the odontologist - Error ranges in age, sex, and race determination - LIMITATION OF DNA ANALYSIS - Degradation of the sample (due to decomposition) - Availability of antemortem comparative data REVIEW QUESTIONS {#review-questions.TransOutline} ================ 1. Fingerprint analysis is the best scientific method in identifying human remains a. True b. False +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **RATIONALE** | | | | A close-up of a sign Description automatically generated | | | | ANSWER: **FALSE** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ 2. At best, DNA testing can yield a presumptive identification a. True b. False +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **RATIONALE** | | | |  | | | | ANSWER: **FALSE** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ 3. Visual identification can yield a definitive identification c. True d. False +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **RATIONALE** | | | | A close-up of a sign Description automatically generated | | | | ANSWER: **TRUE** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ 4. Antemortem records for Dental analysis are always available e. True f. False +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **RATIONALE** | | | |  | | | | ANSWER: **FALSE** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ 5. Medicolegal MD analyzes fingerprint recovery from the corpse g. True h. False +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **RATIONALE** | | | | A close up of a sign Description automatically generated | | | | ANSWER: **FALSE** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ 6. Canines are the most active tissue removers i. True j. False +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **RATIONALE** | | | |  | | | | ANSWER: **FALSE** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ 7. Cold and dry environment hastens the decomposition a. True b. False +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **RATIONALE** | | | | A list of different types of clothing Description automatically | | generated | | | | ANSWER: **FALSE** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ 8. Moist putrefaction is the most common way of decomposition a. True b. False +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **RATIONALE** | | | |  | | | | ANSWER: **TRUE** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ 9. A body decomposing at 36^th^ hour is expected to be rigid a. True b. False +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | **RATIONALE** | | | | A close-up of a text Description automatically generated | | | | ANSWER: **FALSE** | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------+ REFERENCES {#references.TransOutline} ========== - 2025COM-Transcription - Atty. Kristienne Apostol (2024). Forensic Identification of Human Remains APPENDIX ======== - No appendices