Text-book of forensic medicine and toxicology

by R. J. M. Buchanan

Identity of the Dead

Much of what has been said under the heading of identity of the living is applicable in examinations to establish identity of the dead. The latter requires certain special details of examination owing to the peculiar circumstances which may be present demanding them. The material subject to examination may be incomplete, and difficulties arise, so that it is essential to record every minute detail which may be of value as evidence.

The purposes of examination under this heading are mainly related to the questions of stature, age, sex, and special peculiarities of the body.

It will be useful here to emphasize the importance of making a detailed examination of the body. The examination, particularly the external inspection, should be made in daylight.

If the body be seen where first discovered, note should be taken of the exact position and attitude, of any signs of a struggle, of footprints to or from the body; of bottles, medicines, vomit, or excreta near the body, and which should be collected and retained. The expression and colour of the face, the condition of the hands, the condition of the dress as to tears and stains, the heat, amount of rigidity or putrefaction, the presence of wounds and vital reaction in them.

If the body has been removed from the place where found, make similar notes, remove the clothes, and compare any cuts if present in the clothes with those on the body. Record for identification—nævi, moles, tattoos, scars, hare-lip, cleft-palate, the mammæ, abnormalities of fingers, teeth, bones, limbs, joints, &c.

An examination of the mouth, for the presence or absence of false teeth, or of any peculiar formation of the jaw, may lead to the identification of the body. In the case of Dr. Parkman, the recognition by a dentist of the false teeth worn by the deceased led to identification of the remains, and also to the discovery of his murderer. The presence of an ununited fracture, as in the case of Livingstone, may lead to the identification of the body. In one case where a man was said to have died from a fracture of the ribs recently caused by a blow, it was found on examination that the bones were united by a firm callus, clearly showing that the skeleton produced could not be that of the man alleged to have been murdered.

Record the height and if possible the weight. Note the sex, the probable age, nutrition, and cleanliness or otherwise. Examine all wounds, bruises, and describe them carefully, and marks, e.g. strangulation or throttling. Examine the hands carefully and describe their peculiarities, also the colour of hair and eyes. Examine all the apertures of the body for foreign bodies, or abnormal conditions, and, in females, record carefully the condition of the external genitalia and the presence or absence of the hymen.

Although a more detailed account of the method of carrying out post-mortem examinations is given later on, it will not be out of place here to point out briefly the steps of examination. I would again emphasize the importance of making a thorough and complete internal examination, leaving no organ unexamined. If there be no call for special examination of the thorax or abdomen first, commence with the examination of the surface of the brain, then proceed downwards. Note the direction of any wounds and their depth. Examine all organs for morbid changes, and in females, the vagina and uterus. Examine the larynx and œsophagus. Remove injured bones and examine joints. Remove the spinal cord. Always remember to note the contents of the stomach and bladder in reference to the period at which death may have occurred. Weigh all organs. Always remember the probability of poisoning, and make your examination accordingly.

All fragments or injured parts of a body or its organs should be preserved, and photographs taken of them.