Moderate to marked putrefaction. Identification may sometimes be challenging with advancing decomposition. This individual had a tattoo on his left arm that was initially difficult to view due to putrefactive change. Cleaning of this area with removal of the superficial layers of skin made visualization and thus identification much easier.
Fig.1 Moderate to marked putrefaction.
The identification of unknown bodies is the fulfilment of a moral obligation towards the deceased, serves to maintain legal security within a society, and gives families the certainty they need to mourn. Taking into account respective local conditions, the aim should always be to achieve a secure and quick identification. To achieve this goal, a functioning cooperation between investigating authorities and forensic sciences is essential.
Fig.2 This individual had a tattoo on his left arm that was initially difficult to view due to putrefactive change.
With the rising number of tattooed people tattoos have become increasingly important for the identification of unknown corpses. Tattoos can be helpful in both phases of the identification process, either by providing clues to the identity of an unknown person or body or as a means of verifying a postulated identity.
Fig.3 Cleaning of this area with removal of the superficial layers of skin made visualization and thus identification much easier.
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