Since such identifications must often be done speedily to satisfy the police and relatives of the deceased person, most of the described methods can be performed expeditiously. Sophisticated methods that require highly specialized personnel, elaborate equipment, and considerable time are not discussed. The opening chapter discusses bodily transformations after death, variables that affect the speed of such transformations, and the impact of the transformations on visual recognition. Methods of estimating elapsed time since death are also described. Physical marks to note before extensive bodily deterioration include tattoo marks, scars, calluses, and skin discoloration. Other identification procedures described are fingerprinting; dental analysis; restoration of facial features from the skull; and the anthropological analysis of bones to estimate sex, age, stature, and race. The book also discusses the principal bone diseases and injuries that are significant in establishing identity from a skeleton. 93-item bibliography, glossary, and name and subject indexes.