Fifth Annual “Current Trends in Forensic Sciences”

Fifth AnnualFifth Annual “Current Trends in “Current Trends in Forensic Sciences”Forensic Sciences”

““Current Trends in Forensic Current Trends in Forensic Sciences” Thanks To:Sciences” Thanks To:

Harris Methodist HospitalsHarris Methodist Hospitals

Texas Wesleyan University Law SchoolTexas Wesleyan University Law School

Tarrant County Medical Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s DistrictExaminer’s District

Roger D Metcalf DDSRoger D Metcalf DDS

Chief of the Human ID LabChief of the Human ID Lab

817-920-5700 ext 160817-920-5700 ext 160

Serving Tarrant, Denton and Parker Counties

Accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners and the Association of Crime Laboratory Directors


Methods of Identification of Human Remains in the Medical Examiner’s Office

This Ain’t CSI !

Copyright © 2004 Roger D Metcalf DDS

Methods of IdentificationMethods of Identification

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 4949 An examination of an unidentified body An examination of an unidentified body shallshall

include: all available include: all available fingerprintsfingerprints and palm prints, and palm prints, dental chartsdental charts and radiographs of the person’s and radiographs of the person’s teeth, frontal and lateral teeth, frontal and lateral photographsphotographs, notation , notation and photographs of all significant and photographs of all significant scars, tattoos, scars, tattoos, marksmarks, items of , items of clothingclothing or other or other personal effectspersonal effects, , notation of antemortem notation of antemortem medical conditionsmedical conditions, , observations pertinent to the observations pertinent to the estimation of time-estimation of time-of-deathof-death and and maymay include: full include: full body radiographsbody radiographs, , and and hair specimenshair specimens with roots – we always take with roots – we always take these plus these plus fluidsfluids and and tissue specimenstissue specimens

Methods of IdentificationMethods of Identification Why do we need to identify remains?Why do we need to identify remains?

To To help the familyhelp the family through the grieving process through the grieving process and final disposition of the remainsand final disposition of the remains

To obtain a death certificate and/or cremation To obtain a death certificate and/or cremation permitpermit

To settle civil matters—wills, estate transfers, To settle civil matters—wills, estate transfers, insurance matters, child custody, remarriage of insurance matters, child custody, remarriage of surviving spousesurviving spouse

Possible criminal mattersPossible criminal matters


Under Article 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Under Article 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, “…an Procedure, “…an unidentified body may not be unidentified body may not be crematedcremated and, if the body is buried, the precise and, if the body is buried, the precise location of burial and all information pertaining to location of burial and all information pertaining to the body must be maintained for a period not less the body must be maintained for a period not less than 10 years…” – we keep information, of course, than 10 years…” – we keep information, of course, essentially foreveressentially forever

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s District The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s District does about 2,000 autopsies per year and, of those, does about 2,000 autopsies per year and, of those, about 200 present to our office as unidentified about 200 present to our office as unidentified remainsremains

Methods of IdentificationMethods of Identification These are methods we use to identify These are methods we use to identify

humanhuman remains remains Not all remains we receive areNot all remains we receive are

human! But we examine human! But we examine allall remains remains brought to our attention:brought to our attention: DogsDogs DeerDeer Cattle/horsesCattle/horses 3 – 5 nonhuman remains per month—3 – 5 nonhuman remains per month—

construction sites, increases during construction sites, increases during hunting seasonhunting season


Jug o’ Intestines (these were non-human)


1. Visual1. Visual


1. Visual1. Visual 2. Fingerprint2. Fingerprint


1. Visual1. Visual 2. Fingerprint2. Fingerprint 3. Dental3. Dental


1. Visual1. Visual 2. Fingerprint2. Fingerprint 3. Dental3. Dental 4. Anthropological4. Anthropological


1. Visual1. Visual 2. Fingerprint2. Fingerprint 3. Dental3. Dental 4. Anthropological4. Anthropological 5. DNA5. DNA


1. Visual1. Visual 2. Fingerprint2. Fingerprint 3. Dental3. Dental 4. Anthropological4. Anthropological 5. DNA5. DNA 6. Other6. Other


Notice that the list of methods we Notice that the list of methods we use is ranked in order of ease-of-useuse is ranked in order of ease-of-use


Notice that the list of methods we Notice that the list of methods we use is ranked in order ofuse is ranked in order of ease-of-use ease-of-use

The list is also ranked in order of the The list is also ranked in order of the amount of time each method amount of time each method generally requires to performgenerally requires to perform


Notice that the list of methods we Notice that the list of methods we use is ranked in order ofuse is ranked in order of ease-of-use ease-of-use

The list is also ranked in order of theThe list is also ranked in order of the amount of time amount of time each method each method generally requires to performgenerally requires to perform

Ease-of-use and time required for Ease-of-use and time required for each method translates into each method translates into co$t to co$t to taxpayerstaxpayers


Also note that the list of methods is Also note that the list of methods is arranged in order of how arranged in order of how decomposed the remains are when decomposed the remains are when they reach our officethey reach our office

Methods of IdentificationMethods of IdentificationMethod of IDMethod of ID Tentative IDTentative ID UnknownUnknown

VisualVisual Family memberFamily member Don’t know who Don’t know who family isfamily is

FingerprintFingerprintDriver’s licenseDriver’s license

Criminal historyCriminal historyAFISAFIS

DentalDental Family might Family might know dentistknow dentist NCICNCIC

AnthropologyAnthropologyCompare Compare medical medical

radiographsradiographs

Facial Facial reconstructionreconstruction

DNADNA Compare to Compare to family memberfamily member

Texas Missing Texas Missing Person’s DNA Person’s DNA

DatabaseDatabase


VisualVisual Identification by next-of-kinIdentification by next-of-kin

Driver’s license or other State issued id.Driver’s license or other State issued id.

Passport or Military or other Federally Passport or Military or other Federally issued id.issued id.


Photos from law enforcement agenciesPhotos from law enforcement agencies

Work or school photo id.Work or school photo id.

Tattoos??Tattoos??

5 – 10 visual id.s per month, id.’ed usually 5 – 10 visual id.s per month, id.’ed usually same daysame day

May not be possible due to decomposition May not be possible due to decomposition or simply lack of id.or simply lack of id.

Methods of IdentificationMethods of Identification Tattoos?? We can Tattoos?? We can

generally use generally use tattoos to include tattoos to include or exclude, but or exclude, but only in rare only in rare circumstances circumstances would we use them would we use them for id.for id. … …


……but this is the but this is the usual sort of tattoo usual sort of tattoo we see…we see…


Visual id. by the family is performed via Visual id. by the family is performed via closed-circuit television to our closed-circuit television to our conference room from the morgue—we conference room from the morgue—we don’t pull bodies out of big stainless-don’t pull bodies out of big stainless-steel drawers and dramatically throw the steel drawers and dramatically throw the sheet back like on “Quincy” – we try to sheet back like on “Quincy” – we try to “sanitize” the process as much as “sanitize” the process as much as possiblepossible

Methods of IdentificationMethods of Identification Fingerprint comparisonFingerprint comparison

To the best of our knowledge, we’re the only To the best of our knowledge, we’re the only M.E.’s office to have an in-house AFIS terminal M.E.’s office to have an in-house AFIS terminal Quick! Bill Bailey is our expert fingerprint Quick! Bill Bailey is our expert fingerprint examiner and Bill Walker, Bedford PD, helps us examiner and Bill Walker, Bedford PD, helps us if Mr Bailey is not available if Mr Bailey is not available

Compare to fingerprint records from a law-Compare to fingerprint records from a law-enforcement agencyenforcement agency

Compare to thumbprints from driver’s licenseCompare to thumbprints from driver’s license

Methods of IdentificationMethods of Identification Occasionally we can get antemortem Occasionally we can get antemortem

fingerprint records from military records or fingerprint records from military records or employeremployer

May even have to go to decedent’s May even have to go to decedent’s residence to retrieve an object known to residence to retrieve an object known to have decedent’s fingerprints for comparisonhave decedent’s fingerprints for comparison

We have approximately 10-20 fingerprint We have approximately 10-20 fingerprint id.s per month, usually id.’ed in same dayid.s per month, usually id.’ed in same day

May not be possible due to decomposition May not be possible due to decomposition or lack of antemortem fingerprints on fileor lack of antemortem fingerprints on file

Methods of IdentificationMethods of Identification Dental comparisonDental comparison

Teeth are the body parts most susceptible to Teeth are the body parts most susceptible to disease during life, but last the longest after disease during life, but last the longest after death—they survive plane crashes, death—they survive plane crashes, explosions, fires, mass disasters quite wellexplosions, fires, mass disasters quite well

To the best of our knowledge, we’re the only To the best of our knowledge, we’re the only county M.E.’s office with a full-time county M.E.’s office with a full-time odontologist (fancy name for a dentist)odontologist (fancy name for a dentist)

Can id. from one single tooth in some casesCan id. from one single tooth in some cases


Can get DNA sample from teeth even after Can get DNA sample from teeth even after years of exposure to the elements or burialyears of exposure to the elements or burial

Have to be able to locate treating dentist Have to be able to locate treating dentist and retrieve antemortem records—no and retrieve antemortem records—no national dental clearinghousenational dental clearinghouse

We have about 3 – 5 dental id.s per month, We have about 3 – 5 dental id.s per month, may take several days to weeks to id.may take several days to weeks to id.

May not be possible if cannot locate dentist May not be possible if cannot locate dentist or recordsor records


Note: some of the next few slides may Note: some of the next few slides may be disturbing, but this is what we deal be disturbing, but this is what we deal with every daywith every day

Your discretion is appreciated in not Your discretion is appreciated in not discussing these cases with “outsiders” discussing these cases with “outsiders” —these are real cases from our office—these are real cases from our office


First sort of typical unidentified remains requiring dental identification

Photo deleted


Cedar chest in which she was found….


Dental radiograph comparison—having some restorations makes things easier for identification


…but we do not always have to have restorations


…and sometimes they just don’t match


The second typical sort of remains requiring dental identification--teeth usually survive intense fires quite well

Photo deleted


Our most famous Our most famous case….case….

Vernon HowellVernon Howell

a.k.a. a.k.a.

David KoreshDavid Koresh


AnthropologicalAnthropological To the best of our knowledge, we’re the To the best of our knowledge, we’re the

only county M.E.’s office with a full-time only county M.E.’s office with a full-time board-certified forensic anthropologist—Dr board-certified forensic anthropologist—Dr Dana AustinDana Austin

Can almost always determine sex, “race,” Can almost always determine sex, “race,” age range, stature from skeletal remainsage range, stature from skeletal remains

Can often determine if trauma was inflicted Can often determine if trauma was inflicted such as stab wound or gun-shot woundsuch as stab wound or gun-shot wound


Can compare antemortem medical Can compare antemortem medical radiographs with radiographs from remains radiographs with radiographs from remains for id.—artificial joint replacements, other for id.—artificial joint replacements, other surgical appliances, skeletal abnormalitiessurgical appliances, skeletal abnormalities

Facial reconstruction from skullFacial reconstruction from skull

Usually identifies the nonhuman remainsUsually identifies the nonhuman remains

We have 2 - 5 anthropological We have 2 - 5 anthropological identifications per month, might take days identifications per month, might take days to weeks to id.to weeks to id.

Methods of IdentificationMethods of Identification Case #0405892: Case #0405892:

Caucasian, poss. Caucasian, poss. Hispanic maleHispanic male

About 5’ 09”, dark hairAbout 5’ 09”, dark hair

Between 28-42 yrs old Between 28-42 yrs old at time of deathat time of death

Died between Jan and Died between Jan and June, 2004 in Fort June, 2004 in Fort WorthWorth


T.C.M.E. case #0405892, T.C.M.E. case #0405892, NCIC #U010004640NCIC #U010004640

DNA has been submitted to DNA has been submitted to Texas Missing Texas Missing Person’s DNA DatabasePerson’s DNA Database at the at the University of North University of North Texas Health Science CenterTexas Health Science Center (if you know of (if you know of another missing person case please arrange to another missing person case please arrange to have sample submitted—there is no charge to the have sample submitted—there is no charge to the family or your agency)family or your agency)

His teeth are in very good condition—exc. for His teeth are in very good condition—exc. for large cavity in #19, missing #30large cavity in #19, missing #30


DNA analysisDNA analysis -- -- nuclear or mitochondrialnuclear or mitochondrial Can compare DNA from remains with DNA Can compare DNA from remains with DNA

from putative parent, child, or sibling—sample from putative parent, child, or sibling—sample from remains can be blood, bone, muscle, from remains can be blood, bone, muscle, tooth; a buccal swab is taken from the relative tooth; a buccal swab is taken from the relative (a “blood” relative, please)(a “blood” relative, please)

Can submit DNA from remains to CODIS Can submit DNA from remains to CODIS database to search for a “hit”database to search for a “hit”


May be able to extract mitochondrial May be able to extract mitochondrial DNA from bones or teeth even after DNA from bones or teeth even after years of exposure or degradation (a years of exposure or degradation (a maternalmaternal relative is required for relative is required for mitochondrial DNA analysis)mitochondrial DNA analysis)

We have about 1 DNA id. per month, We have about 1 DNA id. per month, may require several weeks to months may require several weeks to months for processing, expensive, have to be for processing, expensive, have to be able to locate a “blood” relativeable to locate a “blood” relative


Again, may have to go to decedent’s Again, may have to go to decedent’s residence to retrieve an object known to residence to retrieve an object known to have decedent’s DNA—such as hairbrush have decedent’s DNA—such as hairbrush or toothbrushor toothbrush

Can retrieve DNA from fingerprint cardsCan retrieve DNA from fingerprint cards

Can retrieve DNA from medical slidesCan retrieve DNA from medical slides


OtherOther CircumstantialCircumstantial

MicroscopicMicroscopic


For a successful identification, a common For a successful identification, a common thread in all these methods is that there thread in all these methods is that there must be must be some sortsome sort of antemortem record of antemortem record of the person of the person somewhere somewhere that we can that we can locate and use for comparisonlocate and use for comparison

Despite all reasonable attempts at Despite all reasonable attempts at identification, some bodies remain identification, some bodies remain unidentified and are buried at the County’s unidentified and are buried at the County’s expenseexpense


What the future What the future holds……holds……

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Thursday, October 14, 2004


Roger D Metcalf DDSRoger D Metcalf DDS

Chief of the Human ID LabChief of the Human ID Lab

817-920-5700 ext 160817-920-5700 ext 160

[email protected]@aol.com

Serving Tarrant, Denton and Parker Counties

Accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners and the Association of Crime Laboratory Directors

Fifth Annual “Current Trends in Forensic Sciences”

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Transcript of Fifth Annual “Current Trends in Forensic Sciences”