The identification of human remains.

In modern societies identification of human remains is necessary for both legal and social reasons. There are various methods, but all of them employ the basic process of comparison. Thus, identification is dependent upon the available ante-mortem records as well as the completeness and degree of preservation of the remains. The most frequently used and simplest method of identification is personal recognition by relatives and friends--a method that has led to innumerable mistakes. Evidence from clothing and personal belongings is also widely relied upon. It too leads to mistakes since loose objects can be mislaid or switched between bodies. The more reliable methods of identification rest upon features inherent in the body itself. Fingerprinting is the most accurate and precise method. If it cannot be used, the dental method becomes of the utmost importance. In cases of mutilated, decomposed, burned or fragmented bodies, other methods--medical, radiological, skeletal, serological and hair examinations--must be employed. Skeletal examination can lead to the reliable determination of age, sex, race and stature of the individual. From birth to adolescence, accurate age estimation can be obtained from tooth development and in adults by examination of the pubic symphysis. The data derived from these methods when pooled together provide sufficient comparison for conclusive identification to be established. The identification procedures in the Israel Defence Forces are described.