Identification!!

[vakayu]

This is rather gruesome question,but I am inquisitive how convinced would you be regarding the correct body being returned to you was that of your loved one without actually seeing it for yourself,which is then without doubt?
From what I have heard on the news they are using DNA etc as after six days in the heat or rather unsavoury refrigeration trucks what kind of condition would they be in?

[ummmm]

You'd have to rely on DNA.

It hasn't been mentioned what state the bodies are in.

[RATTER15]

Dental records would be initial ID method I imagine.

[RATTER15]

Also a lot of people have tattoos these days.

[sandyRoe]

DNA would be the best way, whatever state the bodies were in.

[whiskeryron]

I'm a bit puzzled about this, how can DNA identify anyone unless you have a comparison on record ?

[vakayu]

I presume from other family members!

[whiskeryron]

So a loner with no family relatives still alive could not be identified ?

[vakayu]

Again I am just presuming it would be down to medical and dental records.I am anything but an expert in this field,so rely on perhaps someone else's knowledge!

[sandyRoe]

Yes and no. If it's the plane we're talking about then if everybody else was identified the last person would match a name from the list of passengers.

[black_cat51]

it is not known how many parts bodies are in. Would you recognise your relatives leg?

[vakayu]

Gosh yes sandy I suppose so,some lengthy procedures to go through here,which will take a long time!

[anneasquith]

oh !

[Sqad]

Ron....a good point you make about DNA.

It is important that one gets to the crime scene and notes, jewelry, clothing etc which would be a start.
medical records....have they had a hip replacement or heart surgery which would be explaining incisions and prosthesis on the body.

Dental records.

DNA would be the "bottom line" but as Ron says, the loner with no traceable family would pose a problem.

[sandyRoe]

"Rattle his bones over the stones
He's only a pauper nobody owns..."

[whiskeryron]

Thanks vakayu for your valuable input but to be pedantic:-
A last surviving family member who has never been ill ( no med records) has never had dental treatment ( no dental records ) gets killed with absolutely nothing on him/her to say who he/she is. I hope someone can answer this very intriguing question.

[vakayu]

Hi sqad would they not be able to match up someone from say a brother or sister's saliva?

[vakayu]

Hi ron,pass this intriguing question to sqad,over to you sir?

[RATTER15]

I think that if a passenger was not able to be recognised by DNA, dental records or tattoos etc. This person would be in such a small minority it would just be down to the process of elimination. That persons address would be on passport records, they could get DNA from a comb or hairbrush or other items at his home.

[sandyRoe]

It took nearly 17 years to identify one of the victims of the Kings Cross fire.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King's_Cross_fire

[Sqad]

\\\\\Hi sqad would they not be able to match up someone from say a brother or sister's saliva?\\\
Hi!vakayu....indeed they could......but Ron's point is that if there were no traceable relatives......DNA wouldn't help.