engleski

The role of personal belongings in identification process

INTRODUCTION It is well-known that the personal belongings (artifacts) may give significant contribution to the process of identification of the unknown human remains. Although personal documents have the greatest significance for the family members, clothing and footwear as well as jewellery also facilitate family decision to accept that the remains are belonging to their family member. However, before the final identification with family members personal belogings also might assistance to the forensic pathologist during the preparation of autopsy report. The features of clothing and footwear might correspond to the data about the gender, age and stature resulting from anthropological analysis. Comparison of damages on the clothing or personal belongings with injuries on the body remains may help forensic pathologist to conclude on the cause of death. AIM The aim of this presentation is to provide forensic pathologist with guidelines for handling with personal belongings, which might be helpful during the identification process. METHODS The paper presents an overview of the handling procedure for personal belongings from the moment of exhumation, during the work in the autopsy room including cleaning, drying, photography taking and storing by the time of final identification. CONCLUSION Personal belongings may be very helpful and informative in identification process. In some cases, they can be even the major identification element. Careful and proper handling is mandatory in order to achieve maximal amount of information from them and to prevent any loose of data. We hope that guidelines presented will be helpful for that purpose.

identification; war victims; personal belongings

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