When these methods fail other forms of identification will be required.
Tattoos are good in identification, as they are unique to the individual and as painter singe they are the tatooiest will initial his as well. The more extended time the body is in the water the more obvious it may become.
Forensic Odontology is a valued method of identifying people through dental identification. The teeth are strong and will survive longer than other parts of the body. This can be seen when pre-historic bodies are found and their jawbone may still have the person's teeth in place. The structure of teeth is so strong they may even withstand intense heat. Between 15 and 21 years wisdom teeth appear but after this age it is more difficult to age a body by this method. .
Dental records will be examined and compared to the victims. Different methods will be used to record this information. Diagrams will be drawn, x-rays will be taken and model cast may be made.
Dental records will provide valuable information and show which teeth are missing, which teeth have had dental treatment i.e. fillings, crowns, bridges or other forms of cosmetic dentistry. Dental records can then be compared to the teeth of a victim ante mortem and post mortem. .
.
The drawback to using this method of identification is that the investigators need to be able to locate the appropriate dentist in order to compare records. The records may not be up to date or the victim may have lost or had other treatment since the last recording. Another problem is that there is not a set method of recording dental information and each dentist may use different shorthand/codes for their recording.
Scares are often a good way of identifying a body and there are different types of scars:.
Injuries (stabbing, bights marks, falls as children.).
Chickenpox scares.
Surgical scars. .
Bullet wounds.
These also depend on how good their medical records are.
Determining the cause of death.
