MEDICO-LEGAL

ASPECTS OF
IDENTIFICATION
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IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFICATION OF
PERSON
1. In prosecution of the criminal offense, the identity of the offender and that of the victim must be
established, otherwise it will be a ground for the dismissal of the charge or acquittal of the
accused.
2. The identification of a missing person or presumed dead will facilitate settlement of the state,
retirement, insurance and other social benefits. It vests on the heirs and the right over the
properties of the identified person.
3. Identification resolves the anxiety of the next-of-kin, other relatives and friends as to the
whereabouts of a missing person or victim of calamity or criminal act.
4. Identification of may be needed in some transactions, like cashing of check, entering a premise.-,
delivery of parcel or registered mail in post office, sale of property, release of dead bodies to
relatives, parties to a contract, etc..
RULES IN PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
1. The greater the number of points of similarities and dissimilarities of two person compared,
the greater is the probability for the conclusion to be correct. This is known as the Law of
Multiplicity of Evidence in Identification.
2. The value of the different points of identification varies in the formulation of conclusion. In
a fresh cadaver, if the fingerprints on file are the same as those recovered from the crime
scene, they will positively established the identity of the person. while bodily marks, like
moles, scars, complexion, shape of nose, etc. Are merely corroborative. Visual recognition by
relative or friends may be of lesser value as compared with fingerprints or dental
comparison.
3. The longer the interval between the death and the examination of the remains for purpose
of identification, the greater is the need for experts in establishing identity. The process of
taking fingerprints and its examination under a magnifying lens requires the service of an
expert. When putrefaction has set in, the external bodily marks useful in identification
might be destroyed so that it is necessary to resort to an anatomical or structural
examination of the body which requires knowledge of medicine and chemistry.
RULES IN PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
4. Inasmuch as the object to be identified is highly perishable, it is necessary for the team to
act in the shortest possible time specially in cases of mass disaster.
5. There is no rigid role to be observed in the procedure of identification of persons.

METHODS IN IDENTIFICATION
1. By Comparison - Identification criteria recovered during investigation are compared with
records available in the file, or post-mortem finding are compared with ante-mortem records.
Examples:
➢ Latent Fingerprints recovered from the crime scene sre compared with the fingerprints on the file of an
investigating agency.
➢ Dental Findings on the skeletal remains are compared with the dental record of the person in possession of the
dentist.
2. By Exclusion – if two or more persons have to be identified and all but one is not yet identified,
then the ones whose identity has not been established may be known by the process of
elimination.
IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS
Based on human Identification may be classified as:

1. Those which laymen used to prove identity- No special training or

skill is required of the identifier and no instrument or procedure
is demanded.

2. Those which are based on specific knowledge- identification is made

by trained men, well-seasoned by experience and observation, and
primarily based in comparison or exclusion.
I. ORDINARY METHODS OF 6

IDENTIFICATION

Points of Identification Applicable to the Living Person Only:

1. Characteristics which may be easily changed:

✓ Growth of Hair, beard or mustache – artificial hair may be
worn or ornamentation may be placed.
✓ Clothing – preference for certain form, texture, or style.
✓ Frequent place of visit – change of environment, scenario.
✓ Grade of Profession – change of profession may be
resorted to as a means of concealing identity.
✓ Body ornamentations – earrings, necklace, rings etc..
I. ORDINARY METHODS OF 7

IDENTIFICATION

Points of Identification Applicable to the Living Person Only:

1. Characteristics which may not easily changed:

a) Mental Memory – Collection times
b) Speech – the manner of talking and quality of the voice
are dependent on the vocal cavities.
c) Gait – a person, on account of disease or some inborn
traits, may show a characteristics manner of walking.
TYPES OF GAIT 8

1. Ataxic gait – which the foot is raised high, thrown forward and
brought down suddenly is seen in persons suffering from tabes
dorsalis.
2. Cerebellar Gait – Associated with staggering movement is seen in
cerebellar disease.
3. Cow’s Gait – Swaying movement due to knock-knee.
4. Paretic Gait – the steps are short, the feet are dragged and the legs
are held more or less widely apart.
5. Spastic Gait – the legs are held together and move in a stiff
manner and the toes dragged.
6. Festinating Gait – Involuntary movement in short accelerating
steps.
7. Frog Gait – A hopping resulting from infantile paralysis.
8. Waddling Gait – Exaggerated alteration of lateral trunk
movement similar to the movement of the duck.
Points of Identification Applicable to the Living Person Only: 9

1. Characteristics which may not easily changed:

d) Mannerism – Stereotype movement or habit peculiar to
an individual (way of sitting, movement of hand, body,
facial muscles, expression of the mouth, manner of
learning.)
e) Hands or Feet – (foot or hand expression, footprint or
handprint)
f) Complexion
g) Changes in the eyes – color of the iris, shape of the eyes,
deformity of eyeball
h) Facies - different kind of facial expressions brought about
by disease or racial influence.
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SELECTING
VISUAL AIDS
Enhancing your presentation
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SELECTING
VISUAL AIDS
Enhancing your presentation
POINTS OF IDENTIFICATION
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Applicable for Both Living and Dead before Onset of

Decomposition.

1) Occupational Marks - Certain occupations may 8) Injuries leaving permanent results

result in some characteristics marks or identifying
guides 9) Moles

2) Race – in the living race may be presumed 10) Scar

3) Stature - a person ceases to increase in height after 11) Tribal Marks

the age of 25. the growth of a person rarely exceeds 12) Sexual Organ
five centimeters after the age of 18.
13) Blood Examination
4) Tattoo Marks
5) Weight
6) Deformities
7) Birth Marks
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ANTHROPOMETRY
(BERTILLON SYSTEM)

1. Alphonse Bertillon, a French criminologist, devised a scheme utilizing

anthropometrical measurement of the human body as the basis of
identification.

BASIS OF BERTILLON SYSTEM OF IDENTIFICATION:

1. The human skeleton is unchangeable after the twentieth year. The
thigh none continues to grow somewhat after the period, but this is
compensated by the curving of the spine which takes place at about
the same age.
2. It is impossible to find two human beings having bones exactly alike.
3. The necessary measurement can easily be taken with the aid of the
simple instrument
INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THE 14

SYSTEM
1. Descriptive Data – Color of the hair, eyes and
complexion, shape of the nose, ear etc.
2. Body marks - moles scars, tattoo marks, deformities,
etc.
3. Anthropometrical measurements:
a. Body measurements – Height, width of
outstretched arms, and sitting height.
b. Measurement if the head – Length of breadth of
head, bizygomatic diameter, and length of the
right ear.
c. Measurement of the limbs – Length of the left
foot, length of left arm and hand from the elbow
to the tip of the outstretched middle finger.
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PORTRAIT PARLEY
In many instances an investigator does not have a picture of the wanted or missing person. The only
way to have an idea of the prominent physical features is for the witnesses or someone who has
knowledge of the identity to tell him.
Portrait parley (spoken picture) is a verbal, accurate and pictures-que description of the person
identified. Such information may be given the witness, relatives, or other persons who are acquainted
with the physical features of the person to be identified.
The following basic requirement must be included in the verbal description:

1. General Impression: Type, personality, apparent 10. Face – general impression

social status a. forehead – High, low, bulging or receding
2. Age and Sex b. eyebrows – brushy or thin, shape
3. Race or color c. Mustache – Length, color, shape
4. Height d. Ears – Size, shape, size of lobe, angle of set
5. Weight e. Eyes – small, medium or large; color; eyeglasses
6. Built – thin, slender, medium or stout f. Cheeks – high, low or prominent medium check
7. Posture – Erect, slouching, round shoulder bones; flat or sunken
8. Head – size, shape g. Nose – Short, Medium or big; or long; straight,
9. Hair – color, length, baldness aquiline or flat or pug
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PORTRAIT PARLEY
h. Mouth- Wide, small or medium; general impression
i. Lips – Shape; thickness; color
j. Teeth – Shade; condition, defect; missing elements
k. Chin – Size, shape, general impression
l. Jaw – Length, shape, lean, heavy or medium
11. Neck – Shape, thickness, length; Adam’s apple
12. Shoulder – Width and shape
13. Wrist – Size, shape
14. Hands – length, size; hair; condition of the palms
15. Fingers – Length; thickness; stains; shape of nails; condition of the nails.
16. Arms –Long, medium or short; muscular; normal or thickness of the wrist.
17. Feet – size, deformities
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II. SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF
IDENTIFICATION
Aspects of Identification of Requiring Scientific Knowledge:
A. Fingerprint – considered to be the most valuable method of identification. (i. There are no
two-identical fingerprints: ii. Fingerprints are not changeable)
B. Dental Identification – the role of teeth in human identification is important for the
following reasons (i. The possibility of two persons have the same dentition is quite remote, ii.
The enamel of the teeth is the hardest substance of the human body, iii. After death, the grater
the degree of tissue destruction, the greater is the importance of dental characteristics as a
means of identification)
C. Handwriting – evidence respecting the handwriting my also be given by a comparison, made
by the witness party against whom the evidence is offered, or proved to be genuine to the
satisfaction of the judge.
D. Identification of Skeleton – the shape, size and general nature of the remains, especially that
of the head, must be studied. The oval or round shape of the skull and the less prominent
lower jaw and nasal bone are suggestive of human remains.
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E. Determination of Sex – test to determine the sex, (I. Social test, dress, hairstyle , generally bodily
shape provide an immediate and accurate answer to the vast majority of cases. ii. Genital test, we
may look for the tastes in the scrotum and if they are absent we must not conclude that the
individual is not male. Iii Gonadal test
F. Determination of Age –
G. Identification of Blood and Blood Stains –
H. Identification of Hair and Fibers –
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MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECT OF DEATH

BASED ON THE CRITERION USED IN ITS DETERMINATION, DEATH MAY BE:

• Brain Death - Occurs when there is deep irreversible coma, absence of electrical brain
activity and complete cessation of all the vital functions without possibility of
resuscitation.
➢ Irreversible Coma – Unreceptivity and Unresponsibility, No movement or breathing,
No reflexes, Flat electro-encephalogram.

• Cardio-Respiratory Death – death occurs when there is a continues and persistent

cessation of heart action and respiration. Cardio-Respiratory Death is a condition in
which the physician and the members of the family pronounced a person to be dead
based on the common sense or intuition.
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A. KINDS OF DEATH
✓ Somatic Death or Clinical Death: the state of the body in which there is
complete, persistent and continuous cessation of the vital functions of the
brain, heart and lungs which maintain life and health.
✓ Molecular or Cellular Death: after cessation of the vital functions of the body
there is still animal life among individual cells, this is evidence by the
presence of excitability of muscles and ciliary movements and other functions
of individual cells.
✓ Apparent Death or “State of Suspended Animation” : This condition is not
really death but merely a transient loss of consciousness or temporary
cessation of the vital functions of the influence.
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B. SIGNS OF DEATH

1. CESSATION OF HEART ACTION AND CIRCULATION: There must be an

entire and continuous cessation of the heart action and flow of blood in the
whole vascular system. A temporary suspension of the heart action is still
compatible with life.
▪ Examination of the heart (Palpitation of the Pulse, Auscultation for the
Heart Sound at the Precordial Area, Fluoroscopic Examination, By the Use
of Electrocardiograph)
▪ Examination of the Peripheral Circulation (Magnus Test, Opening of Small
Artery, Icard's Test, Pressure on the Fingernails, Diaphanous Test,
Application of Heat on the Skin, Palpation of the Radial Pulse, Dropping
of Melted Wax)
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B. SIGNS OF DEATH
2. CESSATION OF RESPIRATION: Cessation of Respiration in order to considered as a sign of
death must be continuous and persistent. A person can hold his breath for a period not longer
then 3 - ½ minutes.

3. COOLING OF THE BODY (ALGOR MORTIS): no more heat is produced but the body loses
slowly its temperature by evaporation or by conduction to the surrounding atmosphere. The
progressive fall of the body temperature is one of the most prominent signs of death. The rate
of cooling of the body is not uniform. It is rapid during the first 2 hours after the death and as
the temperature of the body gradually approaches the temperature of the surroundings, the rate
becomes slower.

4. INSENSIBILITY OF THE BODY AND LOSS OF POWER TO MOVE: After death the whole
body is insensible. No kind of stimulus is capable of letting the body have voluntary
movement. This condition must be observed in conjunction with cessation of heart beat and
circulation and cessation of respiratory.
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B. SIGNS OF DEATH
5. CHANGES IN THE SKIN: changes undergone by the skin after death: (Pale and waxy,
Loss of Elasticity of the Skin, Opacity of the Skin, Effect of the Application of Heart)

6. CHANGES IN AND ABOUT THE EYE: Loss of Cornea Reflexes, Clouding of the
Cornea, Flaccidity of the Eyeball, The Pupil is in the Position of Rest, Ophthalmoscopic
Findings, “Tache noir de sclerotique – after death a spot may be found in the sclera. The
spot which may be oval or round or may be triangular with the base towards the cornea
and may appear in the sclera a few hours after death.
7. ACTION OF HEAT ON THE SKIN: This test is useful to determine whether occurred
before or after the application of heat. The heat is applied to a portion of the leg or arm,.
If death is real, only a dry blister is produced. The epidermis is raised but on pricking the
blister, no fluid is present.
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C. CHANGES IN THE BODY FOLLOWING DEATH

1. Changes in the Muscle: after death there is a complete relaxation of the whole muscular
system, the entire muscular system is contractile for three to six hours after death, and later
rigidity sets in.
The Entire Muscular Tissue Passes Three Stages After Death.
a. Stage of Primary Flaccidity (post-mortem muscular irritability) : the muscles are relaxed
and capable of contracting when stimulated. The pupils are dilated, the sphincters are relaxed
and there is incontinence of urination and defecation.
b. Stage of Post-mortem rigidity ( Cadaveric Rigidity, or Death Struggle of muscles or
Rigor Mortis) : the whole body becomes rigid due to the contraction of the muscles: This
developed three to six hours after death and may last from twenty-four to thirty-six hours.
c. Stage of Secondary Flaccidity or commencement of putrefaction (decay of muscles) : the
muscles become flaccid, no longer capable of responding to mechanical or electrical stimulus
and the reaction becomes alkaline.
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C. CHANGES IN THE BODY FOLLOWING DEATH

a. Stages of Primary Flaccidity or Period or Muscular Irritability : Immediately after death,

there is complete relaxation and softening of all the muscles of the body.

b. Stages of Post-mortem Rigidity, or Cadaveric Rigidity, or Death Stiffening, or “Death

Struggle of Muscles” or Rigor Mortis: three to six hours after death the muscles gradually
shifted.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE TIME OF
ONSET OF RIGOR MORTIS

Internal Factors:
a. State of the Muscles
▪ Age
▪ Integrity of the Nerves

b. External Factors
▪ Temperature
▪ Moisture
CONDITIONS STIMULATING RIGOR
MORTIS

a. Heat Stiffening – the body is exposed to temperature above 75 degrees

Celsius it will coagulate the muscle proteins and cause the muscles to be rigid.

b. Cold stiffening – may be manifested when the body is frozen, but exposure
to warm condition will make such stiffening disappear.

c. Cadaveric Spasm or Instantaneous Rigor – this is the instantaneous rigidity

of the muscles which occurs at the moment of death due to extreme nervous
tension, exhaustion and injury to the nervous system or injury to the chest.
CHANGES IN THE BLOOD
1. COAGULATION OF THE BLOOD : the state of the blood due to the cessation or circulation
enhances the coagulation of blood inside the blood vessels.

2. POST-MORTEM LIVIDITY OR CADAVERIC LIVIDITY, OR POST-MORTEM

SUGGILLATION OR POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS OR LIVOR MORTIS: The stoppage of
the heart action and the loss of tone of blood vessels cause the blood to be under the influence of
gravity.
THANK
YOU
Brita Tamm
502-555-0152
brita@firstupconsultants.com
www.firstupconsultants.com