Abstract Background The identification of unknown individuals is one of the crucial goals of forensic anthropology. This process begins with reconstructing the biological profile and is complemented by the analysis of individualizing factors. Such features can be particularly valuable in forensic contexts because distinctive skeletal traits, pathological changes, or signs of medical procedures may serve as recognizable markers to help establish a positive identification. This case report aims to emphasize the importance of individualizing factors and to provide an instructional forensic analog for evaluating how such traits may support positive identification. Case presentation This study examines a female individual from the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection housed at the Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology at the University of Coimbra. The skeleton presents several noteworthy individualizing features. Severe eburnation is observed in multiple major joints, including the shoulder, elbow, and knee. The tibial plateaus display marked deformation, and the left scapula exhibits a pseudoarthrosis between the scapular spine and the acromion. The vertebral column also shows extensive osteophyte formation. Evidence of medical intervention, probably due to a left femur fracture, where a dynamic hip screw (DHS) with a visible serial number was identified. Additional distinctive characteristics include a supernumerary unerupted tooth. Conclusion The pronounced alteration of the tibial plateaus may be associated with genu varum , a condition characterized by outward bowing of the knees that likely affected the individual’s gait and daily mobility. In addition, the osteosynthesis plate in the femur, bearing a serial number, represents a valuable identifying marker. Although this individual exhibits a wide range of distinctive skeletal traits, even a limited number of such features would be enough to facilitate identification. This case highlights the significance of individual traits in forensic anthropology and shows how unique life histories can be reflected in skeletal remains.
Amendola et al. (Sat,) studied this question.