Murder Case Photographs- #4

Murder Case Photographs #4

1953

"Legal identification" of the victim is an element of the crime of murder. It must be proven at trial just as the other elements, e.g. premeditation do, but it is the most technical of those elements. It is almost never contested, and its proof is only a formality.

This is how legal id was done in the 1950's. A friend or family member would go to the the morgue. The Coroner would pull out the metal tray with the body and a photographer would memorialize the moment. Now, a less emotionally difficult procedure is used. The body is cleaned and a face-only photograph is shown. The relative views the photograph and signs the back.

The pathos of the in-person procedure is vivid in this picture. Look at the contrast in the faces of the two women. The woman on the right is Grief, the woman on the left, Strength. Look at them together in close-up. The strong woman has taken the other's hand in hers. The grieving woman holds a tissue in her left hand.

The grieving woman stands but only with the support of the other woman. Her shoulders are slightly slumped, her cheeks have the sheen of shed tears, her eyes still seep. She holds a tissue in her left hand. She is overwhelmed, broken, resigned.

The face of the woman on the left is steely resolve, personal pride, strength, almost defiance. She will not be broken by this murder. She is physical and emotional support for the other woman. Her build is bigger and stronger, her posture more erect. She will not be broken by anything.

The coroner stands in a respectful posture. Head bowed and hands clasped in front he could be in church praying if his eyes were closed.

The purpose of this photograph was legal and technical but a transcendent depiction of the human soul was the result. This is Public Occurrences.