Manner of death associated with multiple tattoos
Roger W Byard1, Renee Cavuoto2
1Forensic Science SA, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; The Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
|August 26, 2021
Summary
This study found that the number of tattoos in medicolegal cases did not significantly correlate with the cause of death. While certain tattoo types might be linked to unnatural deaths, the quantity of tattoos showed minimal impact.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Medicolegal Death Investigation
- Tattoo Demographics
Background:
- Tattoos are increasingly prevalent in society.
- Previous research has explored potential links between tattoos and certain lifestyle choices or causes of death.
- Understanding demographic patterns in medicolegal cases is crucial for public health and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the number of tattoos and the cause of death in medicolegal cases.
- To determine if a higher number of tattoos is associated with an increased likelihood of unnatural death.
- To compare the distribution of natural versus unnatural deaths in individuals with multiple tattoos to a control group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 150 medicolegal cases with five or more tattoos in separate anatomical areas.
- Inclusion of cases with full police and coronial investigations and forensic pathology examinations.
- Comparison with a control group of 100 non-tattooed individuals.
Main Results:
- The study included 150 individuals (120 males, 30 females) aged 22-86.
- 78 cases (52%) were deaths due to natural diseases, and 72 cases (48%) were unnatural deaths (drug/alcohol-related, suicides, accidents).
- No statistically significant difference in the distribution of natural versus unnatural deaths was found when compared to a control group of non-tattooed individuals (p=0.3).
Conclusions:
- The total number of tattoos identified in medicolegal cases appears to have minimal effect on the cause of death.
- While specific tattoo types may correlate with unnatural deaths, the quantity itself is not a strong predictor.
- Further research may be warranted to explore associations between specific tattoo characteristics and causes of death.
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