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Week 4 - Forensic PDF

This document discusses various methods of personal identification. It begins by introducing Alphonse Bertillion, who developed anthropometry, one of the first scientific methods of identification using body measurements. It then covers the "Law of Municipality of Evidence" and lists several ordinary methods of identification that can be used on living individuals, including gait, mannerisms, race, stature, teeth, and tattoos. Additional identifying features that can be used on both living and deceased individuals are also outlined. The document concludes by describing several key methods of identification, including portrait parle, anthropometry, fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, blood grouping, and DNA testing.

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Shirsendu Mondol
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
215 views

Week 4 - Forensic PDF

This document discusses various methods of personal identification. It begins by introducing Alphonse Bertillion, who developed anthropometry, one of the first scientific methods of identification using body measurements. It then covers the "Law of Municipality of Evidence" and lists several ordinary methods of identification that can be used on living individuals, including gait, mannerisms, race, stature, teeth, and tattoos. Additional identifying features that can be used on both living and deceased individuals are also outlined. The document concludes by describing several key methods of identification, including portrait parle, anthropometry, fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, blood grouping, and DNA testing.

Uploaded by

Shirsendu Mondol
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WEEK 4

INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION


“Law of Multiplicity of Evidence” The greater number of similarities or
dissimilarities; the greater is the probability for the conclusion to be correct.

Alphonse Bertillion = Father of Personal Identification. The first to devise a


scientific method of identification called Anthropometry. He is also known to be
the father of “Mug shot” photography.

Anthropometry = is the first scientific method of personal identification which is


done by measuring the various bony structure of the human body.

Law of Municipality of Evidence (is true in the case of identification.)


The greater the number of similarities or dissimilarities, the greater is the
probability for the conclusion to be correct.
* The value of the different points of identification varies in the formulation of
conclusion.
* The longer the interval between the death and the examination of the remains
for purposes of identification, the greater is the need for experts in establishing
identity.
* It is necessary for the team to act in the shortest possible time specially in cases
of mass disaster.
* There is no rigid rule to be observed in the procedure of identification of persons.
Importance of Identification of Persons:
1. In Criminal case, 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. Identification of missing person or presumed dead will facilitate
settlement of the estate, retirement, insurance and other social
benefits. It vests on the heirs 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 crime.
4. Identification may be needed in some transaction, like cashing of
check, entering a premise, delivery of parcels or registered mail in post
office, sale of property, release of dead bodies to relatives, parties to a
contract, etc.

Methods of Identification:
1. By comparison – with the used of standard specimen, evidence under
question can be compared in order to effect identification.
2. By exclusion - is two or more persons have to be identified and all but
one is not yet identified, then the one whose identity has not been
established may be known by the process of elimination.

Ordinary methods of Identification


I. Points of Identification applicable to the living only:
a. Characteristic that may easily be changed:
- Growth of chair, beard or mustache
- Clothing
- Frequent place of Visit
- Grade of profession
- Body ornamentation
INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE
b. Characteristic that may not easily be changed:
- Mental memory
- Speech
- Gait a manner of walking or moving on food (Webster dic.)
1. Ataxic Gait- a gait which the foot is raised high, thrown
forward and brought down suddenly.
2. Cerebellar gait- a gait associated with staggering
movement.
3. Cow’s Gait- a swaying movement due to knock-knee.
4. Paretic gait- a gait in which the steps are short, the feet
dragged, the legs held more or less widely apart.
5. Spastic gait- a gait in which the legs are held together and
moves in stiff manner, and the toes to drag and catch.
6. Waddling gait- a gait resembling duck
7. Frog gait- a hoping gait in infantile paralysis.

Gait line = the straight line connecting the center of the succeeding steps. It is
more or less in zigzag fashion especially when the legs are far apart while
walking.
Foot line = the longitudinal line drawn on each foot mark.
Mannerisms- These are the characteristic movement of the body peculiar to a
person.
a. Way of sitting
b. Movement of the hands
c. Movement of the body
d. Movement of the facial muscles
e. Expression of the mouth while articulating
f. Manner of learning

II. Points of identification applicable to both living and dead before onset of
decomposition:

Race- In the living, race may be presumed on:


a. Color of the skin
Caucasians- fair
Malayans- brown
Negroes- Black
b. Feature of face:
Caucasian- prominent sharp nose
Malayan- flat nose with round face
Mongolian- almond eyes such and prominent cheek
bones.
Negroes- thick spreading lips
c. Shape of Skull
Red Indians- Flat head
Malayan- Round head
Stature (height)
Methods of approximating the height of a person
a. measure the distance between the height of a person fingers of
both hands with the arms extended laterally and it will be equal to the
height of the person.

b. Two time the length of one arm plus 12 inches for the clavicle and
1.5inches for the sternum is the approximate height.

c. Two times the length from the vertex of the skull to the public
symphyses.

[AUTHOR NAME] 2
INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE
Teeth
The following points must be considered in the study of the teeth for
identification process:
a. Determine whether it is temporary or permanent set;
b. Number of teeth present;
c. Number of teeth lost, including evidence of length of time lost;
d. Nature of the teeth present, whether reverse, crooked, mal-aligned
or straight;
e. Condition of those present, whether carious, colored, presence of
cavities, erosion, filling and cleanliness;
f. Presence of supernumenary teeth;
g. Odontoid gum; and
h. Extraction, dental fitting, permanenet bridge work, fitting of crown and
filling cavities.

*the most convenient way of identifying a person by means of the teeth


is the use of dental diagram or chart.

Tattoo marks
Importance of Tattoo marks
a. It may help in the identification of the person
b. It may indicate memorable events in his life
c. It may indicate the conial stratum to which the person belongs
d. It implies previous commitment in prison or membership in a gang.

Other Identifying Features


1. Deformities
2. Birth marks
3. Injuries leaving permanent result
4. Moles
5. Scars

Methods of Identification
1. Portrait Parle (Personal description) “speaking likeness”
Is a verbal, accurate and picturesque description of the person identified.
2. Photography
3. Anthropometry (Bertillion System)
A system of identification based on the measurements of the various bony
structure of the human body came to be known when it was introduced in the police
department in Paris, France in 1882 by Alphonse Bertillon.
Bases of the Bertillions method of identification
a. Human skeleton does not change after 20 years.
b. It is impossible for two human beings to have bones alike.
c. Measurement easily taken with the aid of simple instrument.
West case:
In 1903, Will West arrived at the US Petretentiary at the Leavenworth, kaneas.
While West was being processed in through identification, a staff member said
that there was already a photograph and Bertillon measurement for him on the
file. But a comparison on fingerprints showed that despite identical appearances
and nearly identical Bertillon measurements, the identification card on file
belonged to a William West, who had been in Leavenworth since 1901.
4. Fingerprint Identification
5. Handwriting Identification
6. Blood Grouping and Blood Typing
7. DNA Testing (Deoxyribonucleic acid) (A-adenine, C- cytosine, T- thymine,
and G- guamine Sequence)

[AUTHOR NAME] 3

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