There are many different methods that a forensic pathologist can use to make a positive

identification against a corpse that finds its way onto his or her autopsy table; and one

of the most useful and simplest is that of identifying scars, tattoos and birthmarks that

may be present on the body.

These identifying features are to be found anywhere on the body and can be anything

from small marks to large spreading birthmarks, tattoos that simply specify a name or

have an elaborate artistic bent or scars from previous wounds.

ScarsScars are often the result of past wounds or injuries that may have required hospital treatment and this is a good place to start for the pathologist who wants to make a positive identification.

Hospitals keep detailed records of all injuries and especially in the case of injuries that

will have required an operation of sorts to rectify the problem. These operations may

have been small - keyhole surgery - or major invasive surgery but they will have all left

their own tell tale marks: i.e. scars.

In a patient's medical files there will often be a detailed sketch of the anatomy and on it

will be marked out areas of the body that were operated upon and this is a good place

to start when it comes to identifying scars.

TattoosTattoos again are unique in that most individual's who have a tattoo do so because they want to make some sort of statement or to display their love for a loved one - a wife or child - or for an organisation or icon in their lives. This uniqueness makes tattoos another useful source of identification and again it is worth mentioning that many tattoo artists, if they have been commissioned to do a one-off tattoo will invariably take pictures of it for their own records.

These records can be useful as if they are shown a picture of the tattoo as

photographed on the deceased they can match it against their records, which should

include a name and address. It is worth remembering also that teenagers under the

legal age will try and have tattoos or ear piercing without their parents' consent, which in

itself can be a good memory jogger for the tattooist.