Forensic Human Identification An Introduction

Forensic Human Identification: An Introduction explores the variety of biological indicators used in human identification and illustrates the basic principles of each discipline. The text explains how identity is established either irrefutably or statistically through diverse characteristics and markings including tattoos, fillings, retinal scans, and footprints. The first section covers analysis of biomolecular evidence, impression evidence, external and internal physical evidence, facial recognition and reconstruction, methods of communication, and identification from personal effects. The second section illustrates the context and applications of the science through high profile cases, including identity theft and fraud, crimes against humanity, and missing persons.

Identity theft, criminal investigations of the dead or missing, mass disasters both by natural causes and by criminal intent – with this as our day to day reality, the establishment and verification of human identity has never been more important or more prominent in our society. Maintaining and protecting the integrity of out identity has reached levels of unprecedented importance and has led to international legislation to protect our human rights. Forensic Human Identification: An Introduction examines the variety of biological indicators that are available to investigators and illustrates the basic principles of each discipline. While DNA and fingerprints are clearly the favored methods of identification, they require a prior record and verifiable baseline for comparison. When these tools cannot be used it is necessary to employ those biological factors with higher variation and lower diagnostic probability. This reference introduces a number of different specialties such as, foot- and earprinting, dental interventions, skeletal anomalies, tattoos, facial reconstruction, personal effects, and handwriting. While recognizing that no single factor is an absolute indicator of identity, the contributors explain how a multitude of factors taken into summative consideration can establish a probability for confirmation. They discuss the difference between positive and probable identification and the use of exclusion to confirm identity. Using three high profile case studies, the book addresses the context of human identification in today’s society and illustrates the use of techniques described in the text. Heavily referenced and using more than 120 charts, figures, photographs, and tables, Forensic Human Identification: An Introduction provides detailed introductory and extended information to newcomers and experts alike on the wide range of identification techniques in international practice.

Part A BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS AND METHODS OF DETERMINATION IDENTIFICATION FROM BIOMOLECULAR EVIDENCE DNA Stable Isotope Fingerprinting — Chemical Element “DNA”? IDENTIFICATION FROM LATENT PRINTS Fingerprints Earprints IDENTIFICATION FROM THE SOFT TISSUES Physical Appearance Soft Tissue Pathology Soft Tissue Trauma Surgical Intervention Hair and Nail IDENTIFICATION FROM THE HARD TISSUES Odontology Osteology Radiography FACIAL IDENTIFICATION Facial Anthropology and Reconstruction Facial Recognition and Imagery Analysis Identifying Persons by Their Iris Patterns IDENTIFICATION FROM METHODS OF COMMUNICATION Handwriting IDENTIFICATION FROM PODIATRY AND WALKING The Foot Footwear Marks Gait IDENTIFICATION FROM PERSONAL EFFECTS Personal Effects Body Modification Part B THE CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF FORENSIC HUMAN IDENTIFICATION THE CONTEXT OF FORENSIC HUMAN IDENTIFICATION Identity Fraud and Theft Biometric Identity Cards Missing Persons in the United Kingdom Crimes Against Humanity and Other War Crimes FORENSIC HUMAN IDENTIFICATION CASE STUDIES The Rolex Murder, Southwest England The “Adam” Case, London The World Trade Center — September 11, 2001