IDENTIFICATION – PART 1 (Concise PDF Notes)
1. INTRODUCTION
Identification means establishing a person’s individuality. Used in medico■legal cases such as
unknown bodies, crime investigations, accidents.
2. TYPES OF IDENTITY
• Complete Identity – name, age, sex, address established.
• Partial Identity – only some features known.
3. PARAMETERS OF IDENTIFICATION
A. Age
B. Sex
C. Race
D. Complexion
E. Stature (Height)
F. Special Features: scars, moles, tattoos, deformities.
4. AGE DETERMINATION
A. General Features
• Hair: grey/white → old age
• Skin: wrinkles → elderly
• Teeth: eruption charts (most reliable in children)
• Secondary sexual characteristics
B. Radiological (Most accurate)
• Epiphyseal fusion (varies by bone and sex)
Examples:
– Lower end of radius ulna: 17–18 years
– Iliac crest: 20–22 years
– Sternum manubrium fusion: 25+ years
C. Dental Age
• Temporary teeth: 6 months – 2.5 years
• Permanent teeth: 6 – 25 years
5. SEX DETERMINATION
A. General Features
• Males: more muscular, prominent Adam’s apple
• Females: broader hips, rounded pelvis
B. Skull (Important Exam Points)
• Male skull: heavier, prominent glabella, larger mastoid process
• Female skull: lighter, rounded forehead
C. Pelvis (Most reliable)
• Female pelvis:
– Wide subpubic angle (>80°)
– Circular pelvic inlet
– Greater sciatic notch wide
• Male pelvis:
– Narrow subpubic angle (<70°)
– Heart■shaped pelvic inlet
6. RACE DETERMINATION (General)
• Caucasoid – narrow nose, long face
• Mongoloid – broad face, shovel■shaped incisors
• Negroid – broad nose, prognathism
7. HEIGHT (STATURE) ESTIMATION
A. Methods
• Anatomical method – summation of bones
• Mathematical (Regression): from long bones (femur, tibia)
• Demorrere’s method commonly used
B. Correlation
Femur length gives most reliable height estimation.
8. FACIAL FEATURES
Used in living persons:
• Eyes, eyebrows, hairline
• Facial scars
• Moles, birthmarks
9. PERSONAL MARKS
• Scars – old vs fresh
• Moles – permanent
• Tattoos – pattern, fading, pigments
10. DOCUMENTS USED FOR IDENTIFICATION
• Aadhaar / PAN / driving licence
• Hospital records
• Dental records
• Photographs and video evidence