A fragilidade da análise facial como único método de identificação humana

Resumo

Human identification is the procedure through which a person is distinguished from another according to their unique and personal characteristics (physical, psychological, functional and their legal records). The growing demand for post-mortem identification services associated with an increase of criminality in Brazil, especially the absolute and relative numbers of violent deaths, coincided with the use of methods that were designed to identify people, but whose reliability is not yet scientifically proven. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of use of one from these methods (facial analysis for identification purposes) for human identification. A literature review was performed allowing comparison between the method of facial analysis and primary identification methods (analysis of papillary impressions, forensic dentistry tests and analysis of genetic material) recommended by INTERPOL. It was concluded that facial analysis should not be used as a primary method for human identification, especially in postmortem identification, considering that it does not meet the fundamental requirements of identification methods, and the fact that there are other viable methods whose reliability is scientifically proven.

Descrição

Palavras-chave

Forensic antropology, Antropometry, Face, Antropologia forense, Face, Antropometria

Citação

PICOLI, Fernando Fortes et al. A fragilidade da análise facial como único método de identificação humana. Brazilian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Medical Law and Bioethics, Ribeirão Preto, v. 3, n. 4, p. 281-302, 2014.