MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECT OF IDENTIFICATION Flashcards
is the recognition of an individuals determine, by characteristics which distinguish that individual from all others
IDENTIFICATION
IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFICATION OF PERSON
- To establish the identity of the offender and that of the victim in the prosecution of the criminal offense otherwise it will be a ground for the dismissal of the charge or acquittal of the accused.
- To identify a person missing or presumed dead in order to facilitate the settlement of the estate, retirement, insurance, and other social benefits. It vests on the heirs the right over the properties of the identified person.
RULES IN PERSONAL INDENTIFICATION
- The greater the number of points of similarities and dissimilarities of two persons compared, 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.
It is known as the Law of Multiplicity of Evidence in Identification
PERSONAL INDENTIFICATION
Methods of Identification
BY COMPARISON; and
BY EXCLUSION
Identification criteria recovered during investigation are compared with records available in the file, or postmortem finding are compared with ante-mortem records.
BY COMPARISON
If two or more persons have 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
ORDINARY METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION
- Characteristics which may easily be changed
- Characteristics that may not easily be changed:
Characteristics which may easily be changed
a. Growth of hair, beard or mustache
b. Clothing
c. Frequent place of visit
d. Grade of profession
e. Body ornamentations
This may easily be shaved or grown within a short time. Arrangement
may be changed artificial hair may be worn or ornamentation may be placed to change its natural condition.
Growth of hair, beard or mustache
A person may have special preference for certain form, texture, or style.
Clothing
A person may have a special desire or habit to be in a place if ever he has the opportunity to do so.
Frequent place of visit
A medical student of the upper clinical year may be recognized by the stethoscope, a graduate or student nurse by her cap, a mechanic by his tools, a clergyman by his robe, etc. A change of grade,
trade, vocation or profession may be resorted to as a means of concealing identity.
Grade of Profession
Earrings, necklaces, rings, pins, etc. ^-^usually worn by persons may be points to identify a person from the rest.
Body Ornamentations
Characteristics that may not easily be changed
a. Mental memory
b. Speech
c. Gait
d. Mannerism
A recollection of time, place and events may be a clue in identification. Remembering names, faces and subjects of common interest may be initiated during interview to see how knowledgeable a person is
MENTAL MEMORY
A person may stammer, stutter or lisp. However, if the manner of talking is due to some physical
defects, like harelip and cleft palate, that have been corrected by surgery, there may be a change in his manner of speech
SPEECH
It refers to the manner of walking and it may show in some person on account of disease or some inborn traits.
GAIT
Forms of Gait
- Ataxic gait
- Cerebellar gait
- Cow’s gait
- Paretic gait
- Spastic gait
- Festinating gait
- Frog gait
- Waddling gait
A gait in which the foot is raised high, thrown forward and brought down suddenly is seen in persons suffering from tabes dorsalis.
ATAXIC GAIT
A gait 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 alternation of lateral trunk movement similar to the movement of the duck.
WADDLING GAIT
the series of foot marks by a person walking or running. Examination of the gait includes the direction line, gait line, foot angle, principal angle and the length and breadth of the steps.
GAIT PATTERN
GAIT PATTERN
a. Direction line
b. Gait line
c. Foot line
d. Foot angle
e. Principal angel
f. Length of step
g. Breadth of step
Expresses the path of the individual.
Direction 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. Stout, elderly people and those who want stability while walking have a more zigzag gait line.
Gait line
The longitudinal line drawn on each foot mark. There may be a difference in the foot line of the left and right foot
Foot line
The angle formed by the foot line and the direction line. In normal walking the foot angle is very characteristic of a person and cannot be altered immediately. However, it may be altered when a person is running, carrying a heavy weight or moving on a rugged terrain.
Foot angle
The angle between the two succeeding foot angles
Principal angel
When the distance between the center points in two successive heel prints of the two feet exceeds 40 inches, there is a strong presumption that the person is running.
Length of step
The distance between the outer contours of two succeeding foot marks or steps.The more apart the legs are while walking, the greater is the breadth of the step
Breadth of step
Stereotype movement or habit peculiar to an individual.
MANNERISM
A form of neurosyphilis, which is a complication of late stage syphilis infection.
TABES DORSALIS
A bacterial infection that spread sexually
SYPHILIS
