A burnt and skeletonised body is found at a crime scene. All soft tissue is destroyed. Which of the following methods provides the MOST definitive identification of this individual?
- A Superimposition of ante-mortem photograph over skull X-ray
- B Comparison of ante-mortem and post-mortem dental radiographs
- C STR-based DNA profiling from bone marrow or tooth pulp ✓
- D Anthropometric measurements compared with national norms
Explanation
When soft tissue is completely destroyed, STR DNA profiling from protected hard tissue samples — specifically bone marrow extracted from long bone shafts or pulp tissue from within intact teeth — provides the most definitive individualising identification, with match probability exceeding 1 in billions. Dental comparison (option B) is highly reliable when ante-mortem dental records are available but depends on having quality records and identifiable teeth. Superimposition is a probabilistic technique used to support identification rather than confirm it. Anthropometric measurements from skeletal remains give population-level data (age, sex, stature) but cannot identify a specific individual.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.