Background of Personal Identification

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What is personal identification?

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The process of establishing the identity of a particular individual using different techniques, means, or methods.

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Why is the identification of persons important?

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It establishes the identity of the offender and victim, provides criminal history, prevents baby mix-ups in hospitals, and prevents impersonation in financial transactions.

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What does the Law of Multiplicity of Evidence state?

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The greater the number of points of similarities and dissimilarities of two persons compared, the greater the probability for the conclusion to be correct.

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What are the two methods of identification?

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By comparison and by exclusion.

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What is tattooing in the context of personal identification?

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Making a permanent picture, design, or other markings on the skin by pricking it or staining it with an inedible dye.

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What is the Bertillon System?

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A scientific method for identifying people, especially criminals, devised by Alphonse Bertillon in 1879, which records anthropometric measurements and personal characteristics.

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What is anthropometry?

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The system that records anthropometric measurements of the bones and extremities and personal characteristics such as eye color, scars, and deformities.

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What is forensic odontology?

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A branch of dentistry that deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence in the interest of justice.

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What is iris recognition?

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The process of using visible and near-infrared light to take a high-contrast photograph of a person’s iris.

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What is DNA typing?

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Forensic DNA analysis that examines subsets of genetic variation in the human genome to differentiate among individuals.