Identification principles and the use of forms and codes

1. Identification principles and the use of forms and codes • Tore Solheim • 2010 • Identification = to prove the identity of a person by objective comparison

2. Recognition of a person • Proof of identity • Subjective • Mistakes? • Affectionate state • Psychological trauma • Later doubt • Use with outmost caution

3. Person identification • Comparison of a.m. with p.m. information • Objective • By neutral experts • Must never be wrong • Save relatives

4. Identification • Who is responsible? • Police • Coroner/medical examiner • Judge • ID-commission (team) • How important? • Different countries • Correct body for burial? • Many unidentified bodies? • Recognition easy and cheap

5. Work in respect of the dead and their families • Respect of the individual after death • Ethics of identification • Must use time and effort • Only the police have sufficient resources • Only the police have international co-operation • Interpol • Working committee • Forms with computer program (DVI-system) • Guide • Recommendation for international co-operation

6. Odontologic comparison • Comparison of odontologic data • Radiographic comparison • Photographic comparison • Superimposition techniques • Facial reconstruction techniques • Final Identificationmust be a result of a compete evaluation of all evidence • Team work

7. Odontologic comparison report • Conclusions • Odontologic identity established • Odontologic identity probable • Odontologic identity possible • Odontologic identity excluded • Subjective assessment • No guide • Statistical evidence

8. Statistical considerations • Keiser-Nielsen • Od.id. established • At least 12 concordant uncharacteristic features • Calculation of possibilities • Possibilities are not the same as probabilities • Interrelation of fillings • Skinner want to reduce the population • The dead person can be anyone • Only the police can guarantee the missing person list (population) • A person not reported missing

9. Wrong identification? • Identification by elimination • What is the possibility of a wrong identification • DNA comparisons • <1/1000 000 • Odontologic comparison? • Identity established???

10. How frequent occurs another person with the same features? • Identityestablished • < 1/10 000 • Identity probable • < 1//100 • Identitypossible • >1/100 • Epidemiologic data??

11. Forms • Forensic examinations -> written report • Also identification • A form • Saves time • Not forget anything • Help for inexperienced • All fields should be filled in • National forms • Often too simple • US after Sept 11. form from 2 to 40 pages • Prepared for big disasters

12. The Interpol form • International co-operation • Revised several times • Comprises all 3 fields of Identification • 2 out of 15 pages for forensic odontology • Used in all Nordic countries • Designed for electronic use • Cross off boxes • DVI system computer program made in Denmark • Print the forms • Comparison sheet

13. The odontologic form • A.M and P.M forms • F1 administrative page • F2 odontologic description • A legal report • Not a working document • Registrations should be complete • The report should stand alone • All important background information • Main police findings • Main forensic medical findings • All fields should be filled in

14. The comparison form • Formulation of conclusion • Reason for the conclusion • Explain non-concordant details • Write which details the conclusion is based upon • Which details (filling) and which tooth • 4 amalgam fillings (17,27,36,35) • Signature of two dentists