Describe the methods of identification of the deceased likely to be used in the

Question

Describe the methods of identification of the deceased likely to be used in the following scenarios. What problems might be encountered when identifying the bodies?

1. Dr. and Dr. Jones were catching the few remaining rays of the sun late one fall evening in their garden. Dr. Jones (aged 59) was swimming in the pool. As Dr. Jones (aged 58) rose from her deck-chair to pour another gin and tonic she noticed that her husband had climbed out of the pool and was lying slumped over the diving board. She summoned an ambulance but Dr. Jones was found to be dead when they arrived.

2. A collision between a high speed train and a bus carrying old age pensioners from a local care home, who were on a day trip.

Explanation / Answer

The methods of identification usually used are :
1) DNA comparative analysis
2) Fingerprint matching
3) Dental records

--> In the first scenario, since the body has been in the swimming pool, there might be a possibility of the body's skin being unable to produce prints, however the chance of this happening depends on any serious injuries faced or amount of chlorine exposure. So the method of dental records can be used, considering that the dentist has it all. DNA comparative analysis can be an extremely tedious as well as expensive method and is used as a last measure of sorts. Cross questioning of the wife as well as request for identification cards can also be the preliminary measures used.

--> In the second case, travel records of the pensioners can be used. Travel records can state which passenger had which seat, however this can be difficult since in a collision, bodies can be displaced from their seats. If preliminary methods are not helping, then methods like dental records and Fingerprint analysis can be used.

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