Postmortem identification by means of a recovered intraocular lens

Formal legal identification of the decomposed remains of an edentulous woman was facilitated by the postmortem recovery of an intraocular lens implant. The dimensions and dioptric power of this prosthetic lens were identical with those recorded by her ophthalmologist at the time of cataract surgery 2 years previously. On the basis of this and other circumstantial evidence, legal identification was accepted by the Coroner.