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Abstract

Mummification is a variant of decomposition change that occurs with hot, dry conditions and therefore varies in frequency depending upon geographic location. Mummification may compromise visual identification and fingerprint comparison of decedents. Many techniques to rehydrate mummified tissue and obtain fingerprints have been previously described in the literature with variable amounts of success.

We present a case in which skin from a partially skeletonized and mummified individual was rehydrated using 3% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) using a previously published technique used to obtain fingerprints from mummified remains. The rehydration of mummified skin revealed two previously documented tattoos, allowing confirmation of presumptive identity. It also allowed better examination of the tissues for penetrating injuries. We believe this economical and technically simple method may be used successfully by any death investigator to reveal identifying marks, scars, or tattoos from mummified tissue even when only partial remains are available for examination.

Keywords

Forensic pathology Rehydration Mummification Identification Sodium hydroxide

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Rehydrating Mummified Tissues: The Search for Identifying Marks and Scars

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