Unidentified Remains Identification Report

Report Title: Unidentified Remains Identification Report

Jurisdiction/Agency: [Agency name and jurisdiction]

Case Identifiers: [Medicolegal case #] | [Law enforcement case #(s)] | [Morgue/Body ID] | [Database IDs: NamUs UP#, NCIC#, CODIS specimen IDs as applicable]

Report Status: [Draft / Interim Update / Final]

Version: [Version number] (Supersedes: [prior version and date if applicable])

Prepared By: [Name, role, contact information]

Date/Time Authored: [Date and time with time zone]

(Use standardized status tags throughout: Not assessed; Not applicable; Not possible—[reason]; Insufficient quality/quantity—[limiting factor]; Pending—[date requested, expected turnaround]; Completed—no association; Completed—association found [possible/probable/confirmed]. Maintain strict separation of observation, interpretation, and hypothesis. Label all third-party information as "Reported by [source, date]." Do not document a name as confirmed until identification threshold is reached; otherwise record as Working Hypothesis with confidence category.)

Case Identification and Scope

Primary Label for Remains: [Label used throughout report] (For fragmented or commingled cases, define specimen naming scheme.)

Report Type: [Initial Identification Intake Report / Interim Update / Final Identification Report]

Scope: [What this report covers and what is out-of-scope]

Current Identification Status

Overall Status: [Unidentified / Working Hypothesis / Confirmed Identified]; Status Last Changed: [Date and time with time zone]

(If Working Hypothesis, include the following:)

• Candidate (hypothesis only): [Name or identifier]; Confidence Category: [low / moderate / high]; Supporting Evidence Types: [Modalities supporting this hypothesis]

Primary Identifier Status:

• Fingerprints/Friction Ridge: [Not possible—reason / Pending / Searched—No hit / Candidate(s) / Confirmed]; [Date(s)]; [Quality and submission notes]
• Odontology: [Not possible / Pending AM records / Compared / Candidate(s) / Confirmed]; [Date(s)]; [Key notes]
• DNA: Specimen collected: [Yes / No]; Profile obtained: [Full / Partial / No profile]; Database upload: [Pending / Completed—no association / Completed—association found]; Kinship/genetic genealogy: [Not applicable / Pending / In progress / Completed]; [Dates and profile IDs as applicable]

Secondary Identifier Status: [Summary of distinguishing marks, clothing/effects, radiology findings with photo/imaging references]

Immediate Next Steps:

• [Action item] — [Owner] — [Date requested] — [Expected timeline]
• (Include 3–8 items as applicable)

Recovery Context

(If unknown, state "Unknown" with brief explanation for each field.)

Discovery Date/Time: [Date and time with time zone]

Location: [Address or GPS coordinates]

Environment/Scene Conditions: [Conditions relevant to preservation or identification]

Reporting Party: [Name and role] (Reported by [source, date])

Recovering Agency: [Agency and unit with incident number if available]

Chain-of-Possession at Recovery: [Summary of custody from scene to facility, including bag/seal numbers]

Chain of Custody and Evidence Control

Receipt at Facility: Date/Time: [Date and time]; Received by: [Name and role]; Condition on receipt: [Description]; Body bag/seal integrity: [Intact / Compromised—explanation]

Evidence/Property Inventory:

Item ID	Description	Location Found	Packaging	Current Storage	Disposition
[Item ID]	[Description]	[Location]	[Packaging type]	[Storage location]	[Retained / Released to recipient / Submitted to lab]
(Add rows as needed)

Specimen Inventory:

Specimen ID	Type	Collection Site	Collector	Date/Time	Storage Conditions	Lab Submission Details	Remaining Quantity
[Specimen ID]	[Type]	[Anatomic site]	[Name and role]	[Date and time]	[Conditions]	[Lab, date sent, accession #]	[Quantity]
(Add rows as needed)

Contamination Control Notes: [None / Concerns and measures taken with potential impact on analyses]

Remains Condition and Inventory

Type and Completeness: [Intact body / Partial remains / Fragments]; [Human / Non-human / Indeterminate—basis]; Commingling: [None suspected / Suspected / Confirmed—assessment details]

Condition: [Fresh / Early decomposition / Advanced decomposition / Skeletonized / Burned / Mummified]; Estimated PMI: [Range with method and uncertainty] (Only if assessed)

Documentation References: [Photo set IDs and completeness]; [Body diagram or fragment map reference]

Postmortem Description and Distinguishing Features

Biological Profile: Sex: [Description and basis: observed anatomic / anthropologic / genetic]; Estimated age range: [Range with method]; Ancestry/population affinity: [Description with limitations]; Stature and build: [Estimate with method]

Head/Face/Hair/Eyes: [Hair type, length, color (natural vs dyed), baldness pattern]; [Eye color if determinable]; [Facial hair description]

Distinguishing Features: (Use measurable descriptors; do not add interpretive labels unless supported.)

• Category: [Tattoo / Scar / Piercing / Skin mark / Amputation / Medical device evidence]; Location: [Standardized anatomical terminology]; Dimensions: [Measurements]; Colors: [Description]; Content: [Letters, symbols, imagery]; References: [Photo and imaging IDs]
• (Add features as needed)

Clothing and Personal Effects: (Note presence of IDs or electronics and custody; do not transcribe sensitive data.)

• [Item type]; Size: [Size]; Brand: [Brand]; Colors/Material: [Description]; Unique markings: [Description]; Serial/inscriptions: [If applicable]; Custody: [Current holder]
• (Add items as needed)

Fingerprints / Friction Ridge

(Always include this section even if collection was not possible.)

Collection: Attempted: [Fingers / Palms / Soles]; Method: [Ink / LiveScan / Chemical reconditioning / Other]; Quality: [Good / Limited / Unusable—explanation]. (If not possible, state why and whether reassessment is planned.)

Submissions and Searches: AFIS/NGI submission: [Date]; Transaction/control #: [Number]; Results: [No hit / Candidate list / Confirmed association]; Follow-up actions: [Description]; Examiner of record: [Name]

Outcome: [Insufficient ridge detail / Excluded / Association confirmed] (Include rationale and documentation references.)

Odontology / Dental

(Always include this section even if not possible.)

Postmortem Dental Collection: Examiner: [Name and qualifications]; Date: [Date]; Access method: [Description]; Dentition type: [Natural / Partial / Edentulous]; Charting system: [FDI / Universal / Palmer]; Radiographs: [Types obtained] with index references: [References]

Findings Summary: [Restorations, missing teeth, prostheses, implants, root canals, distinctive anatomy with photo/radiograph references]

Antemortem Record Requests and Comparison: Providers contacted: [Names and institutions]; Dates requested/received: [Dates]; Comparison activity: [Date, odontologist, tools]; Results: [Exclusion / Possible / Probable / Positive identification / Insufficient evidence]; Independent verification: [Performed / Not performed—details]

DNA / Genetics

(Always include this section even if not possible.)

Specimen Collection: Type(s): [Bone / Tooth / Blood / Soft tissue]; Rationale: [Reason for selection]; Collection site: [Anatomic location]; Decontamination: [Method]; Packaging: [Description]; Storage: [Conditions]

Testing Requests: Autosomal STR: [Requested / In progress / Completed]; Y-STR/mtDNA: [Indicated / Not indicated]; SNP-based approaches/Investigative Genetic Genealogy: [Not applicable / Investigative only—confirmatory plan: description]

Laboratory Results: Lab: [Name]; Accession #: [Number]; Result: [Full profile / Partial profile / No profile—interpretation limits]; Database upload: [System name]; Status: [Pending / Completed]; Profile ID: [ID]; Hit reporting: [Completed—no association / Completed—association found (possible/probable/confirmed)]

Kinship References: [Source(s) and linkage to missing person records] (Reference documentation IDs; do not include sensitive consent details.)

Imaging and Radiology

(If not performed, state "Not performed.")

Modality: [X-ray / CT / Fluoroscopy]; Date: [Date]; Technical Issues: [None / Description]

Findings Relevant to Identification: [Surgical implants with serial numbers, healed fractures, distinctive anatomy, dental work]

Image Storage: [IDs and location]; Shared Externally: [Yes—recipients / No]

Forensic Anthropology

(If not performed, state "Not performed.")

Scope: [Human vs non-human determination; MNI if commingled; biological profile; trauma relevant to ID; taphonomy/PMI support]

Methods and Standards: [References used]; Confidence/Limitations: [Description]

Biological Profile Conclusions: [Summary]

Commingled Cases: [Fragment inventory, reassociation rationale, quality checks] (If applicable)

Other Identification Methods

(Include any additional techniques pursued.)

• Method: [Tattoo database / Facial reconstruction / Craniofacial superimposition / Implant manufacturer query / Isotope testing / Other]; Date: [Date]; Operator: [Name]; Data Used: [Description]; Result: [Outcome]; Disposition: [Continue / On hold / Closed]
• (Add methods as needed)

Candidate Hypotheses and Comparison Log

Active Candidates:

Candidate ID	Basis for Consideration	Comparison Modalities Attempted	Current Status	Current Disposition
[MP case # or NamUs MP#]	[Basis]	[Modalities]	[Status summary]	[Active / On hold / Excluded / Escalated]
(Add rows as needed)

Exclusions:

Candidate ID	Exclusion Basis	Examiner	Documentation Reference
[Candidate ID]	[Modality and date of exclusion]	[Name]	[Reference IDs]
(Add rows as needed)

Change Log:

• [Date and time] — [Description of change] — [Impact on hypothesis set]
• (Add entries chronologically)

Reconciliation and Identification Determination

Evidence Evaluation: Primary identifiers considered: [Modalities]; Secondary identifiers considered: [Features]; Contradictions: [None / Description]

Modality-Specific Conclusions:

• [Modality]: Conclusion: [Insufficient / Exclusion / Possible / Probable / Confirmed]; Rationale: [Summary]; Examiner: [Name]
• (Add modalities as applicable)

Determination:

• If Not Identified: [Reason threshold not met and what remains pending]
• If Identified: Confirmed identity: [Legal name, DOB, identifiers]; Date/Time confirmed: [Date and time]; Authorizing official: [Name and role]; Documentation actions: [Vital records notification, case system updates, next-of-kin notification coordination]

Authorizing Official Signature:

Name/Title: _________________________ Signature: _________________________ Date: _____________

(Add additional signature lines as required)

Pending Actions

• [Outstanding request] — Owner: [Name] — Due: [Date] — Escalation trigger: [Condition or date]
• (Add items as needed)

Notifications and Information Governance

• Notifications Made: [Recipients: Investigators, NamUs, NCIC, other jurisdictions]; Dates: [Dates]; Information shared: [Description]; Authority: [Statute or policy reference]
• Public Release Status: [Not released / Released—date and scope]
• Special Handling Requirements: [Genetic genealogy data governance, restricted dissemination requirements]

Quality Assurance and Attachments

Quality Checks:

• Documentation QA: [Photos labeled, attachments indexed, chain-of-custody complete]
• Peer review: [Required / Completed / Not required—details]
• Version control: [This is version X; changes from prior version summarized in Change Log]
• Record retention: [Repository and retention schedule]

Attachments Index:

Attachment ID	Type	Date	Storage Location	Access Classification
[Attachment ID]	[Photo set / Radiology / Lab report / Dental chart / AFIS response / Other]	[Date]	[Location]	[Public / Professional / Restricted]
(Add rows as needed)

— End of Report —