Body identification

Forensic science
Physiological sciences
Forensic anthropology Forensic archaeology Forensic odontology Forensic entomology Forensic pathology Forensic botany Forensic biology DNA profiling Bloodstain pattern analysis Forensic chemistry Forensic osteology
Social sciences
Forensic psychology Forensic psychiatry
Forensic criminalistics
Ballistics Ballistic fingerprinting Body identification Fingerprint analysis Forensic accounting Forensic arts Forensic footwear evidence Forensic toxicology Questioned document examination Vein matching
Digital forensics
Computer forensics Database forensics Mobile device forensics Network forensics Forensic video
Related disciplines
Fire investigation Detection of fire accelerants Forensic engineering Forensic linguistics Forensic materials engineering Forensic polymer engineering Vehicular accident reconstruction
People
William M. Bass George W. Gill Richard Jantz Edmond Locard Douglas W. Owsley Auguste Ambroise Tardieu Juan Vucetich
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Body identification is a subfield of forensic science wherein investigators need to identify a body. Forensic (literally, "for the courts") purposes are served by rigorous scientific forensic identification techniques, but these are generally preceded by simply asking bystanders or other persons for the victim's name.

If a body is not badly decomposed or damaged, two persons (or one) who knew the deceased well should visually confirm the identity.

Authorities will also compare supportive documents such as driver's license, passport, or other authoritative photo ID before accepting a personal identification with which to further their investigative and/or forensic purposes.

Of course, any formal investigation should "reality check" additional forensic and scientific evidence to reinforce or question the supposed identity of the victim. Reliable identification becomes increasingly difficult as time passes.

See also

• Dump job
• Identification (disambiguation)

External links

• "Naming the Dead: The final stages of DVI"PDF (551 Kb) The Police Association Journal, May 2009, pp.16-17. Retrieved 28 February 2011
• "Disaster Victim Identification" INTERPOL
• "Forensic Odontology"PDF