Studies in Identification. No. 4
| Author | Sydney Smith |
| Published date | 01 October 1939 |
| Date | 01 October 1939 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X3901200404 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
Studies .
In
Identification.
No.4
By SYDNEY SMITH, M.D.
Department
of Forensic Medicine, University of Edinburgh
IN
certain of the preceding studies I have pointed out that
the material available for examination may be very frag-
mentary in character and limited in extent.
The
reader will
have noted, however, that if the
fragments-of
bone, for
example-are
sufficiently numerous or characteristic, much
useful and quite definite information may be obtained regard-
ing race, age, sex, stature, and so on.
Occasionally, the identification may be rendered ever more
personal and individual by the presence of evidence revealing
occupation, habits, or state of health, either in the past or at
the time of death.
In
the same way, identification may become
very precise if the fragments present features indicative of
deformity or long-continued disability, as was shown in my
previous article.
In
addition to
the
identification of the indi-
vidual, it is commonly possible to obtain sufficient evidence
to enable the examiner to arrive at certain conclusions as
to the cause or manner of death, and the method of disposal
of the body, and also in some cases to allow of a reconstruc-
tion of the crime, which may be very helpful in suggesting
suitable lines of police investigation. Certain of these
points are well illustrated by the case which I am about
to describe.
Acertain village well, disused for years, was being cleaned
out with a view to rendering it once more serviceable.
In
the
course of cleaning operations, three separate bones were found.
The
find was reported to the police, who took possession of the
bones and passed them on to the laboratory for examination
and report.
The
bones were human, and comprised two hip bones,
4°3
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