Possibilities of using anthropometric indicators for human identification.

Abstract

Identification of a person is one of the key tasks of investigative bodies, which includes the identification of persons about whom nothing is known, persons whose bodies have been destroyed as a result of decay, destruction by animals or other factors, such as the influence of fire, etc. Also, the question of identification arises when it comes to fragmented remains of the human body, skeletonized remains. In all these cases, the main role in solving this problem is played by the forensic medical expert, who applies the available knowledge and resources to the questions raised by the investigative bodies. The most common and reliable means for solving such a problem is identification by DNA profile. However, this method is not always possible to apply not only in view of the condition of the corpse (skeletonization, severe decay, etc.) but also the condition of the forensic medical service, which often does not have access to such equipment. In such cases, it is most appropriate to use the anthropometric indicators of the deceased for identification, which include hand and foot prints, features of the structure of the ear, and features of the size and structure of the bones. The purpose of this study was to find modern scientific literature related to anthropometric indicators for forensic identification of a person and organize its results. For this purpose, a search was conducted for publications no older than 10 years in the scientometric databases Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using keywords. As a result, 18 literary sources were identified and analyzed. The obtained data indicate the presence of significant progress in the creation and application of anthropometric indicators for the identification of a person, which includes the determination of gender, age, ethnicity, regional affiliation and even personality characteristics. The most impressive results in age identification have been achieved by analyzing osteometric indicators of ribs, while regional affiliation can be predicted using dermatoglyphic indicators. Both podometry and auriculometry, dermatoglyphics and osteometry make it possible to determine gender with high accuracy. In this way, it is possible to confidently assert the success and prospects of using anthropometric methods in forensic medicine for the purpose of solving the problems of personal identification. The development of new methods on specific populations (by age, regional affiliation, etc.) will allow to increase their accuracy and specificity