expressions

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MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF IDENTIFICATION

- determination of the individuality of a person

In Legal Medicine, the practice of identification a person is quite important. For one, it helps ascertain the identiy of the offender or the victim in criminal prosecutions. Likewise, it aids in the settlement of one’s estate, retirement or insurance proceeds. Through identification, problems regarding the determination of the next of kin are resolved.

As it is a science, there are certain rules to be followed in personal identification.

1. The Law of multiplicity of evidence - This means that the greater number of similarities obtained is the better.

2. The different points of identification have corresponding values or weight – Ex. moles or visual recognition of relatives are of lesser value than fingerprints or dental records.

3. The longer the interval between time of death and identification, the more experts are needed in establishing the identity.

4.Time is of the essence – the team must act soon because it is perishable.

5. No rigid rule in the procedure of identification of the person.

There are two Methods of identification. First, by comparison of evidence found in the crime scene and file on record. Second method is by exclusion.

The following are ordinary methods of identification:

1. Characteristics which may easily be changed: growth of hair or beard;                    ) grade of profession  

b) clothing                                        e) body ornamentations

c) frequent place of visit

2. Characteristics that may not be easily be changed: mental memory                          f) hands and feet

               b) speech                                       g)  complexion

               c) gait                                             h) changes in the eyes

               d) mannerism                                 i) facies

               e) handedness-left /right                j) degree of nutrition 

There are also points of identification applicable to both living and dead before onset of decomposition. These are Occupational marks, Race: Malay:brown, flat nose round face, Round head, Wearing apparel; Stature: Tatoo marks; Deformities, Birth marks, moles,     scars; Tribal marks, Sexual organs, blood exam             

ANTHROPOMETRY – the method of utilizing anthropometrical measurement of the human body for identification, also proved helpful because accordingly Human skeleton is unchangeable after 20 years and No two human beings have exactly the same bones.

Extrinsic factors are also helpful in identification, such as the ornamentation, personal belongings, wearing apparel, foreign bodies, identification by close friends, police records, photographs

There are however established scientific methods of identification. These are:

a.     Fingerprinting

b.     Dental identification

c.     Handwriting

d.     Identification of skeleton

e.     Determination of Sex, Age

f.      Identification of blood, blood stains

g.     Identification of hair, fibers

FINGERPRINTING is the most valuable method of identification. This is because         there are no two identical fingerprints and because it is not changeable as long as the dermis of the bulbs of the finger is not completely destroyed. The use of fingerprint is pratically helpful in the Identification of dead bodies, in the prints recovered at crime scenes, as well as a a substitute for signature.

DENTAL IDENTIFICATION also proves helpful because the possibility of 2 persons to have the same is remote. The enamel is also the hardest substance of the body, it outlasts other tissues hence a good source of identity.

The HANDWRITING is also useful. It consists of Graphology – the study of handwriting for the purpose of determining the writers personality, character and aptitude and BIBLIOTIC or the Science of handwriting analysis. Handwriting study and analysis is practically useful in resolving financial crimes, Death investigation, Robberries,Kidnapping with ransom notes, anonymous threats and in Falsification of documents cases.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE SKELETON is another helpful means. It uses the human body’s bones in identifying the deceased.  Determination of the Sex can also be done through the bones such as

•           a. Pelvis

•          b. Skull

•          c. Sternum

•          d. Femur

•          E. Humerus

Race can likewise be determined through the bones but this is rather difficult because of the amalgamation of races..

Aside from the size of the bones and dental examination , the age of a person to whom the skeleton belongs may be determined by: 1. Appearance of the ossification centers

•          2. Union of the bones and Epiphyses

•          3. Dental identification

•          4. Obliteration of cranial sutures

Determination of the Duration of the Interment or the  period from the time of death up to the time of examination may also be determined by the

•          1. nature and presence of soft tissues

•          2. the degree of erosion of the bones.

Sex determination is also important is this

1.     As an aid in identification

2.      To determine whether an individual can exercise certain obligations vested by law to one sex only.

3.     Marriage or the union of a man and a woman.

4.     Rights granted by law are different to different sexes.

5. There are certain crimes wherein a specific sex can only be the offender or victim.

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