title: Forensic evaluation of occupational marks in establishing identity--a case report.
abstract: The livings have responsibilities for the dead; and in particular, civilized societies recognize the need for identity both during life and at death, particularly in circumstances when an unknown body is summoned for medico-legal autopsy. There are numerous tools for identification of an unknown body which includes visual identification, fingerprints, medical prostheses, odontological techniques, DNA fingerprints and to include in the list is the occupational marks over the body sustained during the course of his or her profession. The medico-legal investigators should possess comprehensive knowledge of such occupational marks, which aid in identification. We are highlighting a case of rare entity, where a forensic evaluation of occupational marks was done to establish the identity of an unknown elderly male, who committed suicide by ligature hanging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India. bellisks@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: B Suresh Kumar
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Jagadish Rao
authors.forename: K S Muhammed
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Sameer
authors.forename: Preetham Raj
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Salian
authors.forename: Mahabalesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shetty
mesh_terms: D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology; D005528:Foot; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000473:pathology*; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D009790:Occupations; D013405:Suicide