Forensic Identification of Tattoos
Biometric software helps to identify both perpetrators and victims. Tattoo recognition software can aid in these comparisons. The science of biometrics involves identification of people based on physical and behavioral characteristics. This includes facial recognition software, voice identification software and retina scanning. Biometrics is used commonly in forensic science with fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, hair analysis and blood identification.
Skin markings like scars, birthmarks and tattoos are considered soft biometrics, easily measurable physical characteristics that can change. Tattoos are becoming more common with estimates that approximately 36% of people between 18 and 29 have at least one tattoo. Most are specific to the individual, though many social groups adopt tattoos of similar design to designate membership. Tattoos can give information on social characteristics such as time in prison, number of crimes committed and ethnic affiliations.
For example, tattoos have been used for identifying bodies in mass disasters like 9/11 and homicides. This is often necessary when partial remains are found or other identifying biometrics like fingerprints are removed. Residual markings from tattoos remain in the skin even after burns or decomposition. Tattoos are also used to identify suspects in custody who may be using a false name.
Biometric scientists from Michigan State University developed software to aid in photographic tattoo identification. Tattoo images taken by law enforcement can be matched to existing images in photo databases which is much more efficient than a text-based search. The tattoos are matched using complex mathematical algorithms that compare similar characteristics. This allows matching when pictures may be blurred, such as those taken by a surveillance camera. Images are compared based on color, texture and shape of the tattoo.
http://forensicscience.suite101.com/article.cfm/forensic-identification-of-tattoos
1 comment:
What I found particularly interesting about this article was that it talked about another way for bodies to be identified. By keeping track of tattoos received, if hands etc…are missing, making the body unidentifiable by fingerprints, tattoos can also be used. What I also found interesting was that even if a body is burned, the tattoo still remains, showing how scarring they really are but also offering a very permanent form of identification because they will never go away. Lastly, what I found interesting was that even if a person changes his/her name, which might make identification more difficult, tattoos reveal true identity.
What I would have liked to have learned more about is if a person gets a tattoo but has it removed, is there still a way to tell that that person had once had a tattoo. I would also like to know if in the future, plans are being made to make all tattoo parlors document tattoos that they give and keep them on file. I would also like to know if two people who look the same, or even twins, get the same tattoo in the same place, how this will be dealt with.
Something I did not know was that 36% of people have tattoos and that tattoos were used for body identification on September 11.
Post a Comment