See how experts identify identity of dead people

An autopsy identifies the cause of death due to epidemics, natural disasters or being plotted to become a hot topic in today's society.

Usually on film, you will often encounter the case of the victim's missing teeth, deformed face or damaged body makes the identification process very difficult. Under such circumstances, forensic examiners can rely on the following body parts to identify the victim's identity.

1. Finger

Fingerprints are one of the most commonly used legal evidence worldwide. In many places, fingerprints are more numerous than all other forensic assessments combined.

The fingerprint testing process is implemented in the following order. First, analyze whether the fingerprint can be used. If the quality or quantity does not match, there will not be enough data to compare with the "fingerprint bank" available.

If fingerprints meet the requirements, the examiners perform the second step, collating them with the fingerprint database stored on the computer by the government. The computer will base on special points on a person's fingerprint to determine whether it comes from. Thus, the quality of fingerprints is very important.

2. Teeth

It is possible that each person's teeth are not quite as special as fingerprints, but dental evidence can also be a tool to identify themselves. The size of the teeth can give us a clue about the relative age of the victim based on their growth rate.

People of different ethnicities also have different dental characteristics. Their eating habits as well as their lifestyles over time will affect the shape of their teeth.

In some cases, teeth are the only thing left on the victim who can be tested. Forensic examiners will compare their teeth with dental data (if available) or look for specific points on the teeth to identify the owner's identity. In addition, each person's bite can be a very important sign.

3. Bones

Although we all try to avoid wanting to break a bone, it may be important evidence to help identify one's identity after death.

Signs of serious bone injuries helped Canadian police identify a corpse in 1998. The results of DNA analysis and the victim's teeth did not reach a conclusion.

But forensic examiners have found cracks in the ribs and the sign of the victim undergoing trephine drilling. This feature is similar to the one that was reported missing a month earlier.

His family said he had been hit by a car a few months ago and was hospitalized. Comparing the X-ray film still in the hospital, the experts concluded, the traces of injuries completely coincided with the victim.

4. Hair

The results obtained from hair analysis to identify the dead are often quite controversial. There are many different factors that can influence the final conclusion, including the area of ​​the corpse found, the age and race of the victim.

In addition, the analytical criteria must also be changed based on the way hair and hair are used regularly by victims.

However, if the expert examiners are highly qualified, external factors such as air pollution, water components used for shampooing, substances present in shampoo, hair spray, or hair dye can be Essential elements help the identification process go smoothly.

5. Skin

Traces of the skin can give us a sense of individuality and can be used to identify corpses. Expert examiners have combined medical testing, police records and testimony of victims' families to identify their identities.

A scar is formed due to many causes such as surgery, accident or attack. Acne scars from a young age, until adulthood can still exist and of course they will become a tool for experts to identify.

Some scars left by surgery will normally be in the medical record. Concerning the longevity of scars, forensic experts will have a lot of useful information to make a final conclusion.

6. DNA

In most cases, DNA testing is one of the best ways to identify one or more victims.

DNA is the abbreviation of Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid - an element that carries genetic information encoded for the growth and development of organic matter. In order to recognize the identity of the body, DNA from the corpse must match the DNA of the person who was supposed to be the victim or the victim's relative.

Normally, to test DNA, there should be cell types such as blood samples, mucous cells inside the mouth, tissue samples, nails, hair roots, umbilical cord, bones, teeth .

In the case of the determination of the remains by DNA testing, bone samples (or teeth) of suspected remains and blood samples (hair or nail) must be obtained from relatives of foreign relatives for comparison. The sample of a foreign relative is one of the following: mother, mother, sibling .