Forensic Sciences Research, Volume. 9, Issue 3, owae039(2024)
Identification investigations: a collaborative approach to the resolution of long-term unidentified persons cases at the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner
Figures & Tables(1)
Table 1. Example questions utilized by New York City (NYC) Office of Chief Medical Examiner during an informant interview.
View tableView in ArticleTable 1. Example questions utilized by New York City (NYC) Office of Chief Medical Examiner during an informant interview.
Topic Question General information • What is their legal name? Do they use any nicknames? • What is their date of birth (DOB)? (Or age if DOB is unknown) • What is their sex? (considering both sex assigned at birth and gender presentation, if applicable) • What is their race? What is their ancestry? Circumstantial information • When were they last known to be alive (seen or spoken to)? Where? By whom? – If the exact date is unknown, what was the approximate year and season? – When was the last time you saw them? • Where were they last known to be alive? • Is there reason to believe they may have been in this area (New York/NYC)? Were they known to frequent specific local areas? • Was a missing person’s report filed with the police? • Were there any indicators about their medical or mental state around the time they went missing that may be important to consider? – Did they ever talk about mental health issues, addiction, or depression? – Did they ever express any suicidal ideations or self-harm behaviour? – Were they going through a difficult period in their life? Physical appearance • What is their height? • What is their weight? (or body habitus if weight is unknown) • What is their natural hair colour? Did they tend to dye their hair? – What was their hair texture like? Did they typically wear their hair in a specific style? • What is their eye colour? • Did they have any scars, skin abnormalities, or birthmarks? • Did they have any tattoos? – Did the tattoos symbolize anything? Were they in a specific style? Were they professionally done? • Did they have any piercings or other body modifications? • Was there anything unique about their teeth? – Were their teeth straight or were any teeth crooked? Were there any gaps, chips, or missing teeth? Did they ever get a filling? • Are there specific clothing or personal items they were last known to be wearing or have in their possession? • Did they have a certain type or style of clothing or jewellery that they habitually wore? How did their clothing typically fit? • Is there anything else distinct or recognizable about them? Medical and social history • Did they have any known medical or surgical history? • Did they take any medications? • Did they ever have any significant injuries or bodily trauma? If so, were they treated or go to a doctor for it? • Did they use tobacco? • Did they drink alcohol or use drugs? If so, is there a type they utilize most? Antemortem records a • Do you have any (recent) photographs of them that you can share? • Were they ever hospitalized or known to have X-ray/imaging taken? • Do you know if they have been to a dentist? If so, do you know the dentist information/location? • Were they known to have fingerprints on file for employment, immigration, arrests, etc.? – Did they ever serve in the military? • Are there biological relatives who would be willing to submit DNA, if needed? – What is their relationship? Are they maternally or paternally related?
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Angela Soler, Justin Z. Goldstein, Aden Naka, Stephanie Santiago. Identification investigations: a collaborative approach to the resolution of long-term unidentified persons cases at the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner[J]. Forensic Sciences Research, 2024, 9(3): owae039
Paper Information
Category: Research Articles
Received: Apr. 30, 2024
Accepted: Jul. 18, 2024
Published Online: Sep. 22, 2025
The Author Email: Angela Soler (ASoler@ocme.nyc.gov)
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