LEGAL MED Flashcards
the determination of the individuality of a person or thing
identification
2 methods of identificaion
by comparison
by exclusion
identification criteria recovered during investigation are compared with records available in the file, or post mortem finding are compared with ante- mortem records.
By comparison-
if 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.
By exclusion
The bases of human identification may be classified as:
2
Those which laymen used to prove identity
Those which are based on scientific knowledge-
no special training or skill is required of the identifier and no Instrument or procedure is demanded.
Those which laymen used to prove identity -
identification is made by trained men, well-seasoned by
experienced and observation, and primarily based on comparison or exclusion,
Those which are based on scientific knowledge-
POINTS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN FINDING HUMAN DEAD BODY ELSEWHERE:
7
- Place where the body was found
- Date and time when found
- Cause of death
- Time when death occurred
- Approximate age
- Possible Occupation
- Complete description of the body
Characteristics which may easily be changed:
Growth of hair, beard or mustache
Clothing
Grade of Profession
Body Ornamentation
this may be easily be shaved or grown within a short time.
Growth of hair, beard or mustache
a person may have special preference for certain form, texture or style. e. Frequent place of visit
Clothing
Characteristics that may not easily be changed:
Mental memory
Speech
Gall
a recollection of time, place and events may be a clue in identification.
Mental memory-
a person may stammer, slutter or lisp.
Speech-
a person, on account of disease or some inborn traits may show characteristic manner of walking
Gall
a galt in which a foot is raised high, thrown forward and brought down suddenly is seen in persons suffering from tabes dorsalis.
Ataxic Galt-
a galt associated with staggering movement is seen in cerebellar diseases.
Cerebellar Gait-
a swaying movement due to knock knee.
Cow’s Gait
gait in which the steps are short, the feet are dragged and the legs are held more or less widely apart.
Paretic Gait
a gait in which the legs are held together and move in a stiff manner and the
toes dragged.
Spastic Gait
involuntary movement in short accelerating steps.
Festinating Gait
a hopping gait resulting from infantile paralysis
Frog Gait
exaggerated alteration of lateral trunk movement similar to the movement of the duck.
Waddling Gait-
stereotype movement or habit peculiar to an individual. e. Hands and Feet- size, shape and abnormalities of the hands and feet may be the bases of identification.
d. Mannerism-
can be determined when the whole body is exposed preferably to ordinary sunlight.
Complexion-
A person identified because he is near sighted. far sighted, color blind.astigmatic, presbyopic, or cross-eyed.
Changes in the Eyes-
the nose is pinched, the temple hollow. Eyes sunken, ears cold, lips relaxed and skin livid. The appearance of the face is indicative of approaching death.
Hippocratic Facies-
almond eyes, pale complexion, prominence of cheekbones. h.3.
Mongolian Facies-
pale face, edematous swelling which does not pit on pressure, associated with dullness of intellect, slow monotonous speech, muscular weakness and tremor,
Myxedemic Facies-
the determination must be in relation to the height and age
Degree of Nutrition-
a person ceases to increase in height after the age of 25. The growth of a person rarely exceeds five centimetres after the age of 18. The rate of growth is variable but it is most active from 5 to 7 and from 13 to 16 years of age.
Stature-
introduction of coloring pigments in the layers of the skin by multiple puncture.
Tattoo Marks-
This is not a good point of identification for it is easily changed from time to time.
Weight-
- Congenital or acquired eg clubfoot, cleft palate, amputation etc.
Deformities
Male organ may show previous circumcision. In female the uterus and breasts may show signs of previous pregnancy.
Sexual Organ-
- a genetic defect wherein an individual show intermingling. In varying degrees, of the characteristics of both sexes including physical form, reproductive organs, and sexual behaviour.
Intersexuality
the sex organs (testes or ovaries) have never developed. This condition can be determined very early in fetal life.
GONADAL AGENESIS
the sex organs (testes or ovaries) have never developed. This condition can be determined very early in fetal life.
GONADAL AGENESIS
the external structures are present but at puberty the testes or the ovaries fail to develop.
GONADAL DYSGENESIS-