Tatto Marks (Forensic Medicine) by Dr. Pawan

Tatto Marks as Identification importance in Forensic Medicine and in Postmortem

1. GOOD AFTERNOON

2. T attoo marks The new generation life style……!! Pawan Kumar B BY :

3. moderator DR. APOORVA CHANDRA… SIMS & RC…!!

4. DefinItion “ Tattoos are designs made by multiple small puncture wounds , made through the skin with needles or similar penetrating tools dipped in colouring agents ( dye ).” Derived from Polynesian “Ta Tau” = to mark

5. Tattoo History The word tattoo comes from the Polynesian “ tatu ” which means “ to mark something .” Originally called “ painting ” or “ staining ” Believed that the first known tattoo dates back to 4,000 B.C. (body of man, skin bears cross behind one knee and a series of lines above the kidneys) Egyptian and Nubian mummies (practiced around 2000 B.C.) Ancient Greeks used Tattooing for communication among spies Ancient Romans used tattoos to mark criminals and slaves . (Philippine Man)

6. TYPES OF TATTOOS

7. Traumatic tattoos (NATUARAL) Coal miners get tattoo characteristics when any wound gets exposed to coal dust or gunpowder. When a substance such as asphalt is rubbed into a wound caused by accident . --Difficult to remove as they spread across several different layers of skin

8. AMATEUR & PROFESSIONAL TATTOOS These tattoos serve as marks of status and rank, symbols of religion & spiritual devotion , decoration of bravery, pledges of love , punishment Marks of outcasts, slaves & convicts. To symbolize their identification to particular ethnic groups , including criminal gangs .

9. AMATEUR PROFESSIONAL Often single colour is used. – INDIA INK. Can be applied by someone , at home , using needle & India ink. Depth of penetration varies. Tattoo contain several colours. Created by trained practitioner at a tattoo parlour. Applied uniformly beneath the skin.

10. A TRIBAL HAND TATTOO in jaipur , INDIA

11. professionAL tattoos

12. COSMETIC TATTOOS Also called as PERMANENT MAKEUP . It includes hiding or neutralizing skin discolorations. Use of tattoo to enhance eyebrows, lips , eyeliner , even moles which resembles natural makeup.

13. Tattooed lip makeup PERMANENT EYE LINER

14. MEDICAL TATTOOS “A tattoo used for indicating a medically relevant condition & body location.’’ Used to ensure instruments are properly located for repeated application of radiotherapy and for the areola in some forms of breast reconstruction .

15. MEDICAL TATTOOS →contd. Convey medical information about the wearer . e.g., blood group , medical condition , etc.. Used in skin tones to cover VITILIGO , a skin pigmentation disorder. Members of military family have their vital information tattooed to them , usually on the rib cage below the axilla ------- MEAT TAGS

16. MEDICAL TATTOO Indicating type of D.M.

17. Commonly used dyes .

18. Optimum depth of penetration : Superficial layers of dermis. Permanency of tattoo marks : Depends on Type of dye used : Vermilion & Ultramarine fades after 10 yrs. Depth of penetration : As the depth is more permanency is more & viceversa Part of body tattooed.

19. Latent tattoo marks Faded Tattoo mark becomes visible by The use UV lamp. rubbing the part, by examining with magnifying glass in strong light. Infrared photography makes old tattoo visible. In decomposed bodies , when epidermis is removed by wiping the area with moist paper towel or a piece of cloth .

20. UV LAMP METHOD

21. complications Septic Inflammation Allergies AIDS Abscess Gangrene Syphilis Leprosy T.B. Burns by MRI scan .

22. Natural disappearance of tattoo marks: Vermillion, cinnabar – disappear after min of 10 years. Black pigments ( Indian ink ) – permanent

23. Artificial removal of tattoo marks 1 .SURGICAL METHODS : Complete excision & Skin Grafting . Production of burn by means of Red Hot Iron . Scarification . CO2 snow . 2 . ELECTROLYSIS 3 . CAUSTIC SUBSTANCES : Removes pigments by Inflammatory reaction . e.g ,Zn chloride & Tannic acid.

24. SKIN GRAFTING

25. SCARIFICATION CARBON DIOXIDE SNOW

26. 4 . LASER BEAM : By exposure to laser beams , particles of dye gets vapourised & expelled in gaseous form. 5. Confluent smallpox obliterates tattoo marks in children.

27. Forensic importance of tattoo marks Identity: Race , religion, occupation,name of person or his beloved ones, date of birth / marriage, etc. Religion , God of Worship Indicates Culture & Lifestyle Distribution of tattooing, nature of designs may indicate particular country or religion. Mental make up / desire: obscene figures

28. Forensic importance of tattoo marks Gang members wear a tattoo of allegiance & symbolism to their status. Drug addicts (concealing site) Homosexuals (tattoo on back or web of thumb)

29. A member of MEXICAN MAFIA has the organization name tattooed on his abdomen.

30. RELIGIOUS TATTOO .

31. DRUG ADDICTS HAVING TATTOO

32. Sydney shark case

33. SYDNEY SHARK CASE James smith disappeared on April 8 , 1935. 14 days later a shark caught alive , which vomited a human arm. Arm was severed from dead body by a sharp weapon. Arm had tattoo of two men boxing on the arm. Smith’s wife & brother identified as Smith’s hand. Fingerprint also revealed same. Later , criminal caught by Sydney police .

34. THANK YOU

35. Everything we hear is an opinion , not a fact . Everything we see is a perspective , not a truth . - Marcus Aurelius