Personal Identification Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two things identification is based on?

A
  1. single, unique identifier and/or presence of multiple consistent features
  2. comparison of ante- and postmortem
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2
Q

Why is the biological profile important in identification?

A

need to get a short list of possibilities before you can get access to these records

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3
Q

Corroboration of multiple methods can ____ probability of correct identification.

A

increase

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4
Q

What are the three types of identification?

A
  1. tentative
  2. circumstantial
  3. positive
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5
Q

Tentative

A

suspected

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6
Q

Circumstantial

A

based on strong consistencies between the remains and the missing person (is enough for a verdict)

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7
Q

Positive

A

preponderance of evidence, agreement from multiple uncorrelated pieces of evidence

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8
Q

What are the four general methods of obtaining a positive ID?

A
  1. comparative radiography
  2. craniofacial/photographic superimposition
  3. forensic odontology
  4. non-imaged records comparison
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9
Q

What are the general structures used for comparative radiography?

A

sinuses, vertebrae, clavicles

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10
Q

What are the two methods to compare radiography?

A

point-by-point visual comparison and measurement comparison

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11
Q

True or False: All characteristics must agree for a positive identification.

A

True

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12
Q

Why is the frontal sinus significant?

A

the scalloping of the each side of the frontal sinus is unique to each individual

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13
Q

How does comparing vertebral patterns work?

A

compare outlines of inferior, superior, lateral, and anterior margins of vertebral bodies, score according to outline shape

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14
Q

Why is clavicle comparison so helpful?

A

chest xrays are super common!

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15
Q

How does clavicle comparison work?

A

uses radiograph and 3D model to calculate shape using elliptical fourier analysis

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16
Q

What are some other useful structures for comparison?

A

other sinuses, pattern of trabecular bone, antemortem pathological conditions or anomalies, surgically or dental implanted devices

17
Q

What does craniofacial superimposition use?

A

a picture of a skull with an antemortem photograph

18
Q

What are the methods of comparison used for craniofacial superimposition?

A
  1. point-by-point
  2. qualitatively
  3. quantitatively
19
Q

Why is craniofacial superimposition significant?

A

most often used to corroborate other methods, easy to get photographs in the digital age

20
Q

What is forensic odontology comparison?

A

comparing antemortem dental records with results of a postmortem examination

21
Q

What are the methods used to compare odontology?

A

shape of fillings and other dental work, and types of bite

22
Q

Can bite mark analysis be used for identification?

A

No!!!!!

23
Q

How does non-imaged records comparison work?

A
  1. identify injury or pathology
  2. obtain antemortem medical records or dental charts for the suspected deceased
  3. compare antemortem records to skeletal remains for consistencies and inconsistencies
24
Q

What are two less used methods of individualization?

A

identification by exclusion, DNA testing

25
Q

When is identification by exclusion primarily used?

A

when there are mass fatalities at a closed site (ie plane crash)

26
Q

Molecular anthropologiests

A

qualified to perform both skeletal and molecular analysis

27
Q

Forensic anthropology ____ molecular analysis, while molecular analysis can ____ assessments.

A

guides; confirm

28
Q

Why is DNA not often used in forensic anthropology?

A

its time consuming and expensive; you still need something to compare it to

29
Q

Gene

A

sequences of DNA or RNA that code for a molecule that has a function

30
Q

Genome

A

the total content of genetic information in an organism

31
Q

Base pairing

A

interaction of 2 bases through a hydrogen bond

32
Q

Locus

A

the specific location of DNA sequence on a chromosome

33
Q

PCR

A

polymerase chain reaction; process used to amplify sections of DNA

34
Q

STR

A

short tandem repeats; DNA sequence container <50 repeated short sequences

35
Q

SNP

A

single nucleotide polymorphism; change in 1 nucleotide

36
Q

What are the four types of DNA tests?

A
  1. autosomal STR profiling
  2. mtDNA
  3. DNA-based sex testing
  4. hair and eye color prediction
37
Q

How does autosomal STR profiling work?

A

analysis and profile from number of repeats of a specific loci

38
Q

Why is mtDNA best used if DNA is old or damaged?

A

found in the mitochondria and there are many mitochondria in a single cell

39
Q

What is the only genetic predication that is validated for forensic use?

A

only eye color prediction