Body Art and Modification

Body art has been practiced for millennia, the first recorded instances being during the Prehistoric era where natural pigments derived from soils and plant materials were used to decorate the skin. Whether this was performed for spiritual, tribal or purely decorative reasons is unknown, but the act remained popular over subsequent millennia. The methods of decoration have developed into traditions resulting in distinctive cultural identities. Recognition of the forms and methods may not only aid in the identification process of an unknown body but could also provide the investigator with information regarding possible ethnic origins or cultural identity of the deceased. It should be noted, however, that the spread of many such forms through fashion has often blurred these lines of distinction somewhat. Body art may be considered temporary, such as mehndi, semi-permanent, such as body piercing, or permanent, notably tattooing. The appearance at post-mortem examination is therefore dependent on the form of art employed.