Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Forensic human identification: retrospective investigation of anthropological assessments in the Western Cape, South Africa

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Legal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The identification of unknown persons, particularly those who are decomposed or burnt, is a global challenge. Forensic Anthropology Cape Town (FACT) is a service provider that assists the South African state with the identification of human remains. However, empirical data pertaining to anthropologically analysed forensic cases in the Western Cape Province of South Africa are lacking. Therefore, anthropological data pertaining to the forensic cases submitted to FACT between 2006 and 2018 from Forensic Pathology Services were retrospectively reviewed (n = 172). This study also sought to assess demographic, traumatic and pathological factors that impacted successful identification. Most decedents were male (67%) and older than 35 years (54%). While ante-mortem trauma was observed in 41% of decedents, the lack of medical records on ante-mortem injuries hindered the use of this information for identification. Positive identifications were reached for 37% of decedents, and of these, anthropological estimations were correct in 98% of cases for sex, 84% of cases for age at death and 100% of cases for stature. Considering globally accepted accuracies of 70–80%, these estimations were considered highly accurate, suggesting the anthropological methods used are suited to the population. However, 63% of cases remained unidentified, and this study showed that skeletal completeness and pathological conditions were the main factors that hindered demographic estimations. Lastly, not all unidentified bodies in the province were referred to FACT; given the highly accurate estimations, these data advocate for the routine, if not mandatory, use of forensic anthropology services for skeletonised remains in South Africa, with the overall purpose of positively impacting human identification. To improve identification rates globally, these data highlight the value of retrospective and region-specific studies to identify strengths and weaknesses in the system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data is available on request and application from the FACT repository (HREC Ref: R012/2019).

References

  1. Krysztofiak B (2017) DNA profiling of unidentified human remains in the South African context: an ethico-legal analysis [dissertation]. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

    Google Scholar 

  2. Evert L (2012) Unidentified bodies in forensic pathology practice in South Africa: demographic and medico-legal perspectives [dissertation]. University of Pretoria, Pretoria

    Google Scholar 

  3. Reid K, Martin L, Heathfield L (2020) Bodies without names: a retrospective review of unidentified decedents at Salt River Mortuary, Cape Town, South Africa, 2010–2017. S Afr Med J 110(3):223. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i3.14192

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Naidoo P (2007) The nature and scope of the problem of identifying unidentified bodies at medico-legal mortuaries in South Africa: a medico-legal perspective [dissertation]. University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban

    Google Scholar 

  5. Steyn M, Meiring JH, Nienaber WC (1997) Forensic anthropology in South Africa: a profile of cases from 1993 to 1995 at the Department of Anatomy, University of Pretoria. S Afr J Ethnol 20(1):23–26

    Google Scholar 

  6. İşcan MY, Olivera H (2000) Forensic anthropology in Latin America. Forensic Sci Int 109(1):15–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(99)00213-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Grisbaum GA, Ubelaker DH (2001) An analysis of forensic anthropology cases submitted to the Smithsonian institution by the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1962 to 1994. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, Smithsonian contributions to anthropology

    Book  Google Scholar 

  8. Komar D (2003) Twenty-seven years of forensic anthropology casework in New Mexico. J Forensic Sci 48(3):2002078. https://doi.org/10.1520/jfs2002078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Vaz M, Benfica F (2008) The experience of the forensic anthropology service of the medical examiner’s office in Porto Alegre. Brazil Forensic Sci Int 179(2–3):e45–e49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.05.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Evison M, Francisco R, Guimarães M (2012) Approaching utility in forensic anthropology. Forensic Sci Policy Manag Int J 3(2):85–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/19409044.2012.744121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Steyn M, L’Abbé EN, Myburgh J (2016) Forensic anthropology as practiced in South Africa. In: Ubelaker Blau S, DH, (eds) Handbook of forensic anthropology and archaeology. Routledge, London, pp 151–164

    Google Scholar 

  12. Parsons HR (2016) The accuracy of the biological profile in casework: an analysis of forensic anthropology reports in three medical examiners offices [dissertation]. University of Tennessee, Knoxville

    Google Scholar 

  13. Thomas R, Parks C, Richard A (2016) Accuracy rates of sex estimation by forensic anthropologists through comparison with DNA typing results in forensic casework. J Forensic Sci 61(5):1307–1310. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13137

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Thomas R, Parks C, Richard A (2017) Accuracy rates of ancestry estimation by forensic anthropologists using identified forensic cases. J Forensic Sci 62(4):971–974. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13361

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Baliso A, Finaughty C, Gibbon V (2019) Identification of the deceased: use of forensic anthropology at Cape Town’s busiest medico-legal laboratory. J Forensic Sci Int Reports 1:100042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsir.2019.100042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Brits D, Steyn M, Hansmeyer C (2020) Identifying the unknown and the undocumented. Forensic Sci Hum Act 681-692. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119482062.ch44

  17. Donlon D (2008) Forensic anthropology in Australia: a brief history and review of casework. In: Oxenham M (ed) Forensic approaches to death, disaster and abuse. Australian Academic Press, Sydney, pp 97–110

    Google Scholar 

  18. Skinner M (1989) Applied archaeology and physical anthropology in a forensic context: a review of twelve years of forensic anthropology in British Columbia. Can Soc Forensic Sci J 22:83–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.1989.10757422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Alfsdotter C, Petaros A (2021) Outdoor human decomposition in Sweden: a retrospective quantitative study of forensic-taphonomic changes and postmortem interval in terrestrial and aquatic settings. J Forensic Sci 66(4):1348–1363. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14719

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Indra L, Lösch S (2021) Forensic anthropology casework from Switzerland (Bern): taphonomic implications for the future. Forensic Sci Int: Reports 4:100222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsir.2021.100222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Smith K (2020) Laws of the face: restaging forensic art as a counter-forensic device [dissertation]. Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool

    Google Scholar 

  22. Morris AG (2011) Missing & murdered: a personal adventure in forensic anthropology. Zebra Press, Cape Town

    Google Scholar 

  23. Gibbon V, Morris A (2021) UCT human skeletal repository: its stewardship, history, composition and educational use. Homo 72(2):139–147. https://doi.org/10.1127/homo/2021/1402

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Gordon I, Drennan MR (1948) Medico-legal aspects of the Wolkersdorfer case. S Afr Med J 22:543–549. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2015.1010836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Lundy JK, Feldesman MR (1989) The femur/stature ratio: a method to estimate living height from the femur. Unpublished paper presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Las Vegas, Nevada. 13–18 February

  26. Buikstra J, Ubelaker DH (1994) Standards for data collection from human skeletal remains. Arkansas Archeological Survey, Fayetteville

    Google Scholar 

  27. Phenice T (1969) A newly developed visual method of sexing the os pubis. Am J Phys Anthropol 30(2):297–301. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330300214

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Klales A, Ousley S, Vollner J (2012) A revised method of sexing the human innominate using Phenice’s nonmetric traits and statistical methods. Am J Phys Anthropol 149(1):04–114. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Byers SN (2011) Introduction to forensic anthropology. Pearson Education, London

    Google Scholar 

  30. İşcan MY, Steyn M (2013) The human skeleton in forensic medicine. CC Thomas, Springfield

  31. İşcan MY, Loth S, Wright R (1984) Age estimation from the rib by phase analysis: white males. J Forensic Sci 29(4):1094–104

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. İşcan MY, Loth S, Wright R (1985) Age estimation from the rib by phase analysis: white females. J Forensic Sci 30(3):853–63

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. İşcan MY, Loth SR, Wright R (1993) Casts of age phases from sternal rib ends for white males and females. France Casting, Bellevue CO

    Google Scholar 

  34. Schaefer M, Black S, Scheuer L (2009) Juvenile osteology: a laboratory and field manual. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  35. Buckberry J, Chamberlain A (2002) Age estimation from the auricular surface of the ilium: a revised method. Am J Phys Anthropol 119(3):231–239. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.10130

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Esan T, Schepartz L (2018) The WITS atlas: a black southern African dental atlas for permanent tooth formation and emergence. Am J Phys Anthropol 166(1):208–218. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23424

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Gibbon VE, Finaughty C, Moller I, Finaughty D (2022) Pressing need for national governmental recognition of forensic anthropology in South Africa as illustrated in a complex case. Sci Justice 62:411–417

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Simmons T, Haglund WD (2005) Anthropology in a forensic context. In: Hunter J, Cox M (eds) Forensic archaeology: advances in theory and practice. Routledge, London, pp 159–176

    Google Scholar 

  39. South African Government (2003) National Health Act [No. 61 of 2003]. https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a61-03.pdf. (Accessed October 6, 2020)

  40. Wild S (2017) Long quest to understand these bodies without identities. https://mg.co.za/article/2017-01-12-00-long-quest-to-understand-these-bodies-without-identities/. (Accessed July 12, 2021)

  41. Komar DA, Potter WE (2007) Percentage of body recovered and its effect on identification rates and cause and manner of death determination. J Forensic Sci 52(3):528–531

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Cattaneo C, Porta D, De Angelis D, Gibelli D, Poppa P, Grandi M (2010) Unidentified bodies and human remains: an Italian glimpse through a European problem. Forensic Sci Int 195(1–3):167.e1-167.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.11.008

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Yadav A, Kumar A, Swain R, Gupta S (2016) Five-year study of unidentified/unclaimed and unknown deaths brought for medicolegal autopsy at Premier Hospital in New Delhi. India Med Sci Law 57(1):33–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/0025802416680523

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Schiel R (2014) Migrant labour in contemporary South Africa [dissertation]. University of Cape Town, Cape Town

    Google Scholar 

  45. Statistics South Africa (2019) Mid-year population estimates. http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0302/P03022019.pdf. (Accessed October 7, 2020)

  46. Paulozzi L, Cox C, Williams D, Nolte K (2008) John and Jane Doe: the epidemiology of unidentified decedents. J Forensic Sci 53(4):922–927. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00769.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Chattopadhyay S, Shee B, Sukul B (2013) Unidentified bodies in autopsy – a disaster in disguise. Egypt J Forensic Sci 3(4):112–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejfs.2013.05.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Kiepal L, Carrington P, Dawson M (2012) Missing persons and social exclusion. Can J Sociol 37(2):137–168. https://doi.org/10.29173/cjs10114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Western Cape Government (2019) Homelessness. https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/homelessness-0. (Accessed October 8, 2020)

  50. Sutherland L, Suchey J (1991) Use of the ventral arc in pubic sex determination. J Forensic Sci 36(2):13051J. https://doi.org/10.1520/jfs13051j

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Williams B, Rogers T (2006) Evaluating the accuracy and precision of cranial morphological traits for sex determination. J Forensic Sci 51(4):729–735. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00177.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Spradley M, Jantz R (2011) Sex estimation in forensic anthropology: skull versus postcranial elements. J Forensic Sci 56(2):289–296. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01635.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Malek S (2022) Assessment and improvement of current sex estimation standards for application in Holocene San and Khoekhoe populations [dissertation]. University of Cape Town, Cape Town

    Google Scholar 

  54. Patterson N, Petersen D, van der Ross R, Sudoyo H, Glashoff R, Marzuki S, Reich D, Hayes V (2009) Genetic structure of a unique admixed population: implications for medical research. HMG 19(3):411–419. https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddp505

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Hollfelder N, Erasmus J, Hammaren R, Vicente M, Jakobsson M, Greeff J, Schlebusch C (2020) Patterns of African and Asian admixture in the Afrikaner population of South Africa. BMC Biol 18(1):16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-020-0746-1

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  56. Lovejoy C, Meindl R, Pryzbeck T, Mensforth R (1985) Chronological metamorphosis of the auricular surface of the ilium: a new method for the determination of adult skeletal age at death. Am J Phys Anthropol 68(1):15–28. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpa.1330680106

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Saunders S, Fitzgerald C, Rogers T, Dudar C, McKillop H (1992) A test of several methods of skeletal age estimation using a documented archaeological sample. Can Soc Forensic Sci J 25(2):97–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.1992.10757005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Djurić M, Djonić D, Nikolić S, Popović D, Marinković J (2007) Evaluation of the Suchey-Brooks method for aging skeletons in the Balkans. J Forensic Sci 52(1):21–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00333.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Priya E (2017) Methods of skeletal age estimation used by forensic anthropologists in adults: a review. Forensic Res Criminol Int J 4(2):41–51. https://doi.org/10.15406/frcij.2017.04.00104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Berg G (2008) Pubic bone age estimation in adult women. J Forensic Sci 53(3):569–577. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00712.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Taylor J, Boisvert D, Sims B, Garver C (2012) An examination of gender and age in print media accounts of child abductions. Crim Justice Stud 26(2):151–167. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601x.2012.724683

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Bertrand B, Robbins Schug G, Polet C, Naji S, Colard T (2016) Age-at-death estimation of pathological individuals: a complementary approach using teeth cementum annulations. Int J Paleopathol 15:120–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2014.04.001

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Cunha E, Pinheiro J (2013) Bone pathology and antemortem trauma. Encyclopaedia Forensic Sci 76-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-382165-2.00014-3

  64. Crews D (1993) Biological anthropology and human aging: some current directions in aging research. Annu Rev Anthropol 22(1):395–423. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.an.22.100193.002143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Spradley M (2016) Metric methods for the biological profile in forensic anthropology: sex, ancestry, and stature. Acad Forensic Pathol 6(3):391–399. https://doi.org/10.23907/2016.040

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  66. South African Police Service (2019) Annual crime statistics. https://www.saps.gov.za/services/annual_crime_report2019.pdf. (accessed November 12, 2020)

  67. Western Cape Government (2017) Western Cape provincial crime report 2016/17: analysis of crime based on the crime statistics issued by the South Africa Police Service on 24 October 2017. [online] Available at: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/crime_analysis_western_cape_2016-17.pdf. [Accessed 7 Oct. 2020]

  68. Grenié M-A (2010) Gender stereotype conformity and age as determinants of preschoolers’ injury-risk behaviours. Accid Anal Prev 42(2):726–733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2009.10.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Stergiou-Kita M, Mansfield E, Bezo R, Colantonio A, Garritano E, Lafrance M, Lewko J, Mantis S, Moody J, Power N, Theberge N, Westwood E, Travers K (2015) Danger zone: men, masculinity and occupational health and safety in high risk occupations. Safety Sci 80:213–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2015.07.029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. van Niekerk A, Tonsing S, Seedat M, Jacobs R, Ratele K, McClure R (2015) The invisibility of men in South African violence prevention policy: national prioritization, male vulnerability, and framing prevention. Glob Health Action 8:27649. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v8.27649

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Romer D, Reyna VF, Satterthwaite TD (2017) Beyond stereotypes of adolescent risk taking: placing the adolescent brain in developmental context. Dev Cogn Neurosci 27:19–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2017.07.007

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  72. Matthews S, Van Niekerk A (2020) Why South African’s children are vulnerable to violence and injuries. The Conversation. January 15, 2020. https://theconversation.com/amp/why-south-africas-children-are-vulnerable-to-violence-and-injuries-128653

  73. Thomas K, Masinjila M, Bere E (2013) Political transition and sexual and gender-based violence in South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe: a comparative analysis. Gend Dev 21(3):519–532. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552074.2013.846617

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Ms. Benjamin, Ms. Speed, Dr. Friedling, Dr. Finaughty, Dr. Alblas and Prof. Morris from the Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, for their experience and contributions towards this research.

Funding

Baliso was supported by the University of Cape Town Vice Chancellor Master’s Research Scholarship, Ada and Bertie Levenstein Bursary, University of Cape Town’s financial aid scheme, the Faculty Research Committee (FRC) Postgraduate Publication Incentive award and the South African National Research Foundation Master’s Innovation Scholarship; the research was also supported by the South African National Research Foundation (grant number 115357). Their contribution towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the authors and not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Clinical Anatomy and Biological Anthropology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Athi Baliso & Victoria Elaine Gibbon

  2. Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Laura Jane Heathfield

Authors
  1. Athi Baliso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laura Jane Heathfield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Victoria Elaine Gibbon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Victoria Elaine Gibbon.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethics was obtained for this study. This study used data from the FACT repository (HREC REF: R012/2019), which contained FACT case reports and affidavits, and was carried out with institutional ethical approval (HREC REF: 263/2019). Informed consent is not applicable.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Research involving Human Participants and/or Animals

None.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Baliso, A., Heathfield, L.J. & Gibbon, V.E. Forensic human identification: retrospective investigation of anthropological assessments in the Western Cape, South Africa. Int J Legal Med 137, 793–807 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02870-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02870-6

Keywords