Forensic anthropology in the service of judicial authorities

Abstract

The paper presents the application of forensic anthropology in the identity of expert evidence in courts. Every person's head, face and skull are unique. Specific features and descriptors (such as scars, moles, gross anomalies) may be sufficient for identification. In more complex cases, four main disciplines are involved in the identification: DNA, fingerprint analysis, odontology, and anthropology. While DNA and fingerprints are clearly the favored methods of identification, they require a prior record and verifiable baseline for comparison. When these tools cannot be used it is necessary to employ those biological factors with higher variation and lower diagnostic probability. Superposition has greater negative probative value (exclusion of identification) than positive (possible identification).

Keywords

• Identification
• Forensic anthropology