TATTOO AND ITS FORENSIC DELIBERATIONS:

INTRODUCTION:

The word ‘tattoo’ comes from the Polynesian ‘ta tau’, meaning ‘to mark’.
Deliberate ornamentation of the skin by introducing pigments under the epidermis
has been practiced in all parts of the world. Some races such as the Ibans of
Sarawak may be tattooed over much of their body surface but many men and some
women in most countries have localized tattoos that can be of considerable help in
identification.

As tattoos and tattooing have existed for centuries, so too has an interest in the
study of such marks and their associated cultural practices. Interest in tattoos has
spanned multiple disciplines, including archeology, criminology, cultural
anthropology, history, medicine, sociology, and forensic science. The focus of
tattoo interest and scholarship has varied over time, with research addressing such
topics as symbolism and semiotics, social stratification, criminal behavior and
punishment methods, religious and medical trends, and general meaning and
viewer perception. Tattoos may serve not only to identify the head hunter, the
criminal, the slave, or the service member, but more specific details such as status
within their organizational structure, such as a number of kills, crimes committed,
ownership, or branch and rank in service, respectively. In the penal system, the
symbolism of a tattoo as displayed in design, color and location may be the only
defining identifiers of an individual, providing details of criminal history, time
served, social status inside and outside of the system, political and religious beliefs,
trade or skill set, sexual preferences and orientation, or gang affiliation.
It is the process of puncturing the skin and introducing pigments into the tissue
such that the pigment appears embedded within the skin. Tattooing is commonly
practiced by people of nearly every race and country in the world. In the last three
decades, tattoos have increased in popularity and are now seen on individuals from
a broad range of social classes.2

Toward the end of the 19th century, the basic commodities of tattoo inks were red
chalk, coal, gypsum, saffron, black clay, ox gall, carbon black, and kermes. Red
ink contained vermilion, ferric oxide, and red drawing ink. Toward the end of the
20th century, the ink contained primarily water, alcohol, glycerin, and coloring
pigments. Today, modern ink is usually free of alcohol. Modern tattoo inks might
contain shellac, preservatives, aromatic amines, azo dyes, hydrochloride, food
coloring, ammonia, and nickel. Tattooing trend among individuals in war zones
and regions at high risk for terrorist activities. With the increased possibility of
individuals located in the vicinity of a bombing, or being kidnapped, tortured,
killed with their remains disposed of in a neighborhood that is not their own, being
buried on a mass grave, or somehow otherwise ending up at a morgue, some
individuals are opting to obtain tattoos with identifying information such that they
can be identified and returned to their families.

During investigations, it is not uncommon for ornamental tattoos to serve as a

preliminary means of identification of a body that is otherwise unidentifiable. Law
enforcement agencies may opt to release photographs, sketches, or descriptions of
the tattoos to the public via social media or news outlets in an effort to locate
persons that may recognize the tattoos and provide information leading to the
identity of the remains.

As tattoos become more prevalent, they are finding increased use in investigations
and prosecutions. Digital advancements, as well as biometric software and social
media, have further enabled the storage, dissemination, and retrieval of
information, allowing for the enhancement of investigations featuring tattoos as
critical traces.

In addition to archeological discoveries that have advanced the knowledge of tattoo

practices, prevalence, and meanings in antiquity, tattoos and tattooing have been
studied in an effort to understand the cultural practices of indigenous populations
over time through observation of existing peoples and their rituals. Artists and
practitioners have also published on their experiences, techniques, tattooing
meanings, or tattoo design trends during the course of their time as a tattooist. As
such, a substantial body of data has been developed pertaining to the practices and
cultural significance of tattoos throughout history.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND