How were the remains of Sgt. Roger Duquesne identified?

The remains of Sgt. Roger Duquesne were identified using an old photograph and a craniofacial superimposition technique after newer forensic methods failed.

When did Sgt. Roger Duquesne go missing in the Korean War?

Sgt. Roger Duquesne went missing in action in September 1950 while fighting near Masan, Korea.

Can older forensic techniques still be used for identification?

Yes, the case of Sgt. Roger Duquesne demonstrates how older forensic techniques, like craniofacial superimposition, can be refined and effectively used for difficult identifications decades later.

Home / War and Conflict / WWII Vet Identified Decades Later by Old Photo

WWII Vet Identified Decades Later by Old Photo

27 Feb

•

Summary

World War II veteran's remains identified using an old photograph.
Newer forensic techniques failed to identify the fallen soldier.
The identification process took over 70 years to complete.

WWII Vet Identified Decades Later by Old Photo

The remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Roger Duquesne, missing in action since the Korean War, have been identified decades later using an old photograph. Sgt. Duquesne disappeared in September 1950 while serving near Masan, South Korea, and was declared dead in 1953. His remains, recovered near the Naktong River, were buried as unknown in Hawaii in 1956 and disinterred in 2011 for identification. Initial attempts using modern forensic techniques, such as DNA analysis and dental records, proved unsuccessful.

Facing a dead end with contemporary methods, investigators turned to craniofacial superimposition, an older forensic technique. By comparing a photograph of Sgt. Duquesne with the recovered skull, and using advances in video technology, experts were able to achieve a match. A distinctive shadow cast by his upper canine tooth in the photograph, visible when the skull was positioned correctly, provided compelling evidence. This case highlights how refined older forensic methods can bring closure to long-unresolved identifications.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.