The Use of Hydrogen Peroxide to Visualize Tattoos Obscured by Decomposition and Mummification

Volume 38, Issue 1 (January 1993)

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ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

The Use of Hydrogen Peroxide to Visualize Tattoos Obscured by Decomposition and Mummification
Sperry, K
Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, GA

Haglund, WD
Chief Investigator, King County Medical Examiner Division, WA

(Received 21 January 1992; accepted 19 May 1992)

Abstract

Tattoos are distinctive, potentially important acquired identifying features that last for the life of the bearer, and persist into the postmortem period. However, the accumulation of decompositional pigments in the skin and subcutaneum will obscure tattoo designs. By treating the area with 3% hydrogen peroxide, the dark red-black decomposition products are temporarily removed, allowing underlying tattoos to be located, and photographed for identification purposes.

Keywords:
forensic science, tattoos, identification, decomposition, mummification, post-mortem change

Paper ID: JFS13387J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13387J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

Author Title The Use of Hydrogen Peroxide to Visualize Tattoos Obscured by Decomposition and Mummification Symposium , 0000-00-00 Committee E30

		SEDL / Journals / Journal of Forensic Sciences (JOFS) / Citation Page Volume 38, Issue 1 (January 1993) Click here to download this paper now for $25 PDF (424K) View License Agreement ISSN: 0022-1198 CODEN: JFSCA Page Count: 4 The Use of Hydrogen Peroxide to Visualize Tattoos Obscured by Decomposition and Mummification Sperry, K Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, GA Haglund, WD Chief Investigator, King County Medical Examiner Division, WA (Received 21 January 1992; accepted 19 May 1992) Abstract Tattoos are distinctive, potentially important acquired identifying features that last for the life of the bearer, and persist into the postmortem period. However, the accumulation of decompositional pigments in the skin and subcutaneum will obscure tattoo designs. By treating the area with 3% hydrogen peroxide, the dark red-black decomposition products are temporarily removed, allowing underlying tattoos to be located, and photographed for identification purposes. Keywords: forensic science, tattoos, identification, decomposition, mummification, post-mortem change Paper ID: JFS13387J DOI: 10.1520/JFS13387J ASTM International is a member of CrossRef. Author Title The Use of Hydrogen Peroxide to Visualize Tattoos Obscured by Decomposition and Mummification Symposium , 0000-00-00 Committee E30