Date of Award
Spring 4-30-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department/Program
Forensic Science
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Mechthild Prinz
Second Reader
Michelle Miranda
Third Advisor
Marcelle Morin
Abstract
Tattoos have not only served as a subject of interest across cultures and disciplines for centuries, but also serve as a critical component of forensic investigations. Tattoos as traces–when properly identified and documented–serve as a valuable investigatory lead in cold, missing persons and unidentified remains cases. By examining the locations, dimensions, colors, and overall imagery of tattoos, investigators are able to use tattoos as a method of rapid, tentative identification of human remains (Miranda 2019). This study seeks to evaluate the quality and scope of tattoo documentation in cases classified as being unsolved. Specifically, tattoo data was collected from redacted records provided by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office (New Jersey, USA) and was compared with data collected from public databases such as NamUs and the New Jersey State Police database in an effort to evaluate consistency in reporting. Documentation examined included crime scene reports, medical examiner/autopsy reports, police reports, and photographs, with the goal of assessing consistency across reporting formats and agencies. In addition, an assessment of documentation was conducted to assess the quality of tattoo photographs and any narratives describing tattoos (where present). An assessment of the report formats demonstrated that there was often inadequate space or opportunity to properly document tattoos and an assessment of tattoo reporting demonstrated that documentation and photography were often of poor quality or not present at all. Based on these findings, it is asserted that creating a cross-jurisdictional, standardized method for tattoo documentation and dissemination would generate data that is consistent among and accessible by all agencies, allowing for better exchange of information and discovery of investigatory leads.
Recommended Citation
Corsetti, Deanna, "Overlooking the Utility of the Tattoo as an Investigatory Lead: An Exploratory Study of Tattoo Documentation Quality Among Investigators and Medical Examiners" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/338
