Identification Process

Identification of a loved one is a very complex process.  To meet the legal requirements of many jurisdictions, a death certificate is issued only when a positive identification is made. This occurs when a conclusive match between records created with information that existed before death (antemortem) and records created after death (postmortem) exist.  A death certificate allows the family to formally acknowledge the death and begin the civil process of probate.

As part of the recovery process governments establish an information and identification section.  The role of this section is to manage both the antemortem and postmortem records and make recommendations to the identification committee. The information section is often also responsible for ensuring that the correct human remains are released and mistakes are not made (Information & Identification Management Section Process.)

Another role of the information and identification section is to maintain contact with other government agencies and search for records that might assist in the identification process.  This includes looking for fingerprints, DNA samples collected by the military or law enforcement or military dental x-rays (Identification Data Systems.)

The identification committee is tasked with reviewing records and issuing the report of identification.  This can be a very straightforward process or a very lengthy process depending on the type of incident. Aviation accidents, bombings and very destructive events often result in fragmented remains.  In these cases the identification committee often includes a reconciliation process (Reconciliation.) 

When the identification committee believes that sufficient evidence exists to support a positive identification, they will issue an identification report (Identification Reports). This report is used to issue a death certificate and complete other vital records.

Despite science and technology not all Persons Directly Affected are identified.  In these cases, the completed antemortem files are used to support court-issued death certificates when positively identified human remains are not recovered (Identification Possibilities).

Families often question this process when they can visually identify their loved ones or a deceased is found with photo identification on their person.  Experience has shown time and again that visual identifications are very unreliable.  Skipping a formal identification or investigation process may allow for the quick return of the deceased.  As mistakes surface and the investigation process unfolds, families will ask questions about the cause of the incident, the actual sequence of events and the effectiveness of any rescue efforts. Often these questions can only be answered if a formal forensic examination, investigation and collection of evidence has been undertaken.