Medico-legal Importance of Tattoo Marks in Forensic victim Identification

In Forensic victim Identification or Personal Identification tattoo marks can be a reliable evidence because of its permanency.

1. Medico-legal importance of tattoo marks In forensic victim identification By:- Dr.KHUSHALI JOSHI Dr.THAMARAI SELVAN.C

2. Defination Tattoo marks are designs made by multiple small puncture wounds made through the dermis layer of skin with needles or similar penetrating tools dipped in colouring agents ( dye ) Derived from Polynesian “Ta Tau” = to mark

3. Done by Mechanically Electrical device [battery operated device]

4. History of tattoo marks Tattooing has been practiced for thousands of years with Evidence of it occurring in the upper Palaeolithic era and from the 11th dynasty of ancient Egypt. Mummified and Preserved remains from the Bronze Age have been found to Have tattoos ; an example of which was the body of a man whose tattooed remains were found in 1991 in the Tyrolean Alps . The possibility of a tattoo marks may be therapeutic/magical of that era.

5. Tattoos in Greek and Roman, tattoos being a marker for Salves and criminals . Although early Christians used tattoos as a secret way of recognizing each other. - The purpose of tattooing has varied from simple d ecoration , to a marker of social rank, criminal and noncriminal g roup membership, or a particular rite of passage i n tribal communities. - Tattoos were once found predominantly amongst sailors, s oldiers and prostitutes, this situation has changed with a large number of individuals having tattoos that show c onsiderable variation in style and content. - The past few years have seen an increase in the popularity o f tattooing in the young with an estimated 10–16 % of a dolescents in Western countries now having tattoos, c ompared to 3–9 % of the general population .

6. Pigments used indigo , cobalt , carbon , china ink, cinnabar, vermillion , prussian blue

7. Permenency of tattoo mark Tattoo markes are fairly permanent, and stay life long if the pigments are placed in the dermis and on the covered part of the body. They may fade away:- If the pigment is placed in the sub epithelial level If these are imprinted on the exposed parts of the body(due to exposure of sunlight) If imprinted on those parts of the body which are subjected to consant friction, in these cases the markes may fade away by 8-10 years.

8. Natural disappearence Vermillion, cinnabar – disappear after min of 10 years . Black pigments (Indian ink) – permanent.

9. Removal of tattoo mark Surgical operation & skin grafting Derma abration By local use of corrosive substance like stong acid, strong alkali, etc. By electrolysis, which releases and dissolves the pigments to be washed out. By applying CO2 snow By inflicting burn injury over the area.

10. To reveal latent tattoo marks High contrast photography Computer image enhancement Ultraviolet lamp or infra-red photography Tattoo marks on unidentified bodies may be photographed with sharp definition [this method is of special value in case of bodies recovered from water] - If the tattoo mark is absolutely invisible or has been removed artificially, the pigments used to produce then may be detected in the near by lymph gland , by histological examination.

11. Examination of tattoo marks Tattoo markes are to be examined in respet of their, Anatomical situation Size Number Colour Design etc. A diagrammatic or photographic representation is of more value.

12. Medical isuues The important complication from tattoo marks mainly relate to sepsis , and transmition of contagious disease , like : syphilis leprosy tuberculosis hepatitis AIDS etc.

13. Medico-legal imporatance In connection with identification it speaks about: Race Nationality Occupation Religion Travel Language Name of the person Name of relative, friend, lover etc.

14. Medico-legal importance The design of a flover , obscene figure, an idol etc. tell about the mental makeup, desire, inclination, religion, nationality, occupation and place of travel of the person. In case of dead bodies if the tattoo mark appears to have been obliterated or has become invisible then the pigments can be detected in the nearest lymph glands. In decomposed bodies, the invisible marks become prominent on removal of the epidermis. Artificial obliteration of tattoo marks is strongly suggestive of attempt to conceal the identity with criminal background and intent. Sometimes, the same design may be imprinted on the identical body parts of different individuals .

15. Case study Parts of dismembered bodies may have identifying tattoos Such as the right arm of the murder victim , James Smith that had a tattoo of two boxers . In 1935 he had been Murdered and dismembered, and then dumped at sea where The arm was ingested by a passing tiger shark . The shark Subsequently disgorged the arm after its capture and display At an aquarium in Sydney, Australia. The putrefied Hand from a murder victim in South Australia was Presumptively identified by the tattoo of a map of Australia With the word ‘love ’.

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