[Two cases of personal identification based on characteristic findings in hard tissue of human remains]

Two cases of personal identification based on the characteristic findings observed in the bones and teeth of unknown human remains are reported. In Case 1, a skeletonized cadaver could be identified as a 49-year-old male because the autopsy findings of the left clavicle of the cadaver, which was previously operated with metallic screw and wire after fracture, corresponded to the characteristic findings in an antemortem X-ray picture of the presumed person. In Case 2, a cadaver discovered at the seaside, could be identified as a 55-year-old male by comparison between ante- and postmortem dental X-ray findings such as root canal treatment and disease (radicular cyst) including the anatomical characteristics of the root. In forensic practice of personal identification of cadavers with advanced postmortem changes, it seems really important to find out an antemortem medical and/or dental chart and X-ray pictures as well as thorough examination for hard tissue of human remains.