10 0 Forensic dentistry
ability to recover quality postmortem impressions can limit the effectiveness
of fingerprints in identifying the dead.
6.7 Conclusion
Fingerprint identification is arguably the oldest forensic discipline known to man.
Fingerprints have proved over time to be the most rapid, reliable, and cost-effective
means by which to identify unknown deceased individuals, especially in a mass
disaster setting. Through the use of various postmortem finger print recovery
techniques, skilled fingerprint examiners can recover friction ridge impressions
even from the most decomposed bodies. The recovered prints can be manually
compared with known antemortem records or searched through an automated
fingerprint system (AFIS) in order to verify or establish identity. The identifica-
tion of remains through fingerprints accomplishes the most important and dif-
ficult mission of the forensic identification operation: the timely and accurate
notification of families regarding the fate of their loved ones.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks goes to Carl Adrian of the FBI Special Projects Unit for his
assistance in the preparation of Figure 6.2. I am also thankful for the patience
and support of my wife, Lori, and beautiful daughter, Avery, from whom
I draw inspiration and without whom I would be at a loss for words.
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