Detection and Forensic Evidential Value of Tattoos Identified Using Alternative Light Sources

Tattoos have been used for over 5,000 years as a means of differentiating one person from another. However, different types of tattoos have increased in popularity over the last decade and are continuing to gain attention. A tattoo can be either temporary or permanent and can be on any area of a person's anatomy. Previously, tattoos have been ignored as a valuable biometric feature in human identification as they are not specific to one individual compared to favoured evidence such as DNA. Additionally, developments in technology are resulting in new ways to cover-up and remove traces of tattoos, causing intelligence gaps in the identification procedure. There has been limited research conducted on the use of tattoos in human identification processes. This study investigated the influence of burning and decomposition upon temporary and permanent tattoos as a means of visualisation in a forensic identification context