This document discusses the identification of unknown dead bodies using tattoo marks and hair analysis. It describes the medico-legal importance of tattoos in determining aspects like race, nationality, occupation or religion of the deceased. Tattoo marks can also indicate past drug use or sexual orientation. Hair analysis can indicate if a sample is human or animal in origin and possibly what part of the body it came from. Tattoos and hair are useful evidence in identifying unknown remains and linking suspects to crime scenes.
1. IDENTIFICATION OF UNKNOWN DEAD BODY
ON BASIS OF “TATTOO MARK” AND “HAIR”
By: Saddam Husen
2nd proff. Mbbs
Roll No: 62
Under guidence of:
Dr. Vivek Kumar
Assistant professor
NBMC&H
2. TATTOO MARKS
They are designs made
manually in the skin (upper
dermis) by multiple small
puncture wounds with
needles or an electric
vibrator dipped in colouring
matter(dye)
Derived from Polynesian
word “Ta Tau” means to
mark
3. The different dyes used are:
Black: Indian ink,
carbon(soot)
Red : Cinnabar.
Green: Chromic Acid.
Blue: Indigo.
4. MEDICOLEGAL IMPORTANCE:
In connection with
identification it speak about:
Race
Nationality
Occupation
Religion
In a dead body, previous
application of tattoo mark can be
determined by regional lymph node
biopsy where there will be presence
of dye
5. Artificial obliteration of
tattoo is suggestive of
attempt to conceal the
identity with criminal
background and intact
Illicit drugs user may have
tattoo to hide inject. site
Homosexual may tattoo on
back of hand between base of
thumb and forefinger.
Indicate culture or lifestyle.
6. TATTOO HIDING THE INJEC. SITE IN
DRUGS USER.
TATTOO INDICATING RELIGION.
7. CASE STYDY:
On 8 april,1935 James Smith
disappear.
After 14 days, a shark was
caught which vomited a
human arm at aquarium
where it was kept.
Medical examination revealed
that the arm was severed from
a dead body by a sharp
weapon.
Smith`s wife and brother
identified the arm from tattoo
8. Removal of tattoo
marks by different
method such as::
Natural
disappearance
Artificial Method
12. To reveal latent tattoo marks:
UV rays or infrared rays.
High contrast
photography.
Computer image
enhancement
In a dead body, previous
application of tattoo mark
can be determined by
regional lymph node
biopsy where there will be
presence of dye.
13. Identification from hair:
Hair is a filamentous biomaterial
that grows from follicles in the
dermis.
Found exclusively in mammals,
hair is one defining characteristics
of mammalian class.
14. Human hair is one of most frequently found
pieces of evidence at the scene of a violent
crime. It can provide a link between criminal
and the crime.
15. On examination of hair, there are some
question must be answered:
• Is the detected material is hair or fiber ?
• If hair, is it human or animal ?
16. Is it a hair or fiber ?
Complete hair
consist of :
1. Root
2. Shaft
3. Distal end or tip.
17. Is it human or animal ?
HUMAN HAIR ANIMAL HAIR
CORTEX Broad and may form
the whole thickness of
the hair.
Thin when compared
to medulla.
MEDULLA Very narrow. Broad when compared
to cortex.
MEDULLARY INDEX Below 0.3 Above 0.5
PRECIPITIN TEST Specific for human. Specific for different
animals.
18. From what part of the body derived?
Hair from the head is usually long and soft and
taper gradually from the root to the tip.
The beard and moustache hair are usually thicker
than the hair of any other part of the body.
Hair of the eyebrows, eyelashes and nostril is stiff,
thick and taper to a point.
Hair on the chest, axillae and pubic region is short,
stout and curly.
19. Medico-legal importance of hair:
IN CIVIL CASE:
Personal identification(through DNA printing)
Sex
In motor car accident:
Victim’s hair may be found upon the vehicle
involved in the accident
20. In criminal case:
Hair can found in hand of a killed person.
Hair may be found sticking to suspected
instrument.
In rape, pubic hair may be transferred from
the assailant to victim and vice versa.
21. In head injuries:
It help to differentiate
between incised and
lacerated wound by
microscopically examination
22. In burn:
Hair examination
help to differentiate
between dry
heat(singed),
scald(wetted hair)
and
corrosive(wetted
and eaten up hair).
