What does the Medical Examiner’s Office do when a body is unidentified?
A body is recorded as unidentified if the person does not have a photo identification when he or she is found in a location outside of their residence. Also, when someone is disfigured by injuries or fire, very decomposed, or skeletal, he or she may be recorded as unidentified. In most cases, police are able to check fingerprint records to make an identification within days. Often, if there are belongings or other leads to who the person might be, a dental record comparison will confirm an identification. Other times, police might have a family provide a photograph of someone, and then the police can confirm the identification visually. After an identification is made, a family can usually arrange to view the decedent at the funeral home.
