The most used method in human identification is the dactyloscopy, which registers, analyzes and collates the fundamental types and characteristic points of figures present in the dactylogram determining the degree of coincidence, between a pattern of identity that is dubious, and one that is indubious. Due to the processes that affect the skin of corpses, such as putrefaction, the necropapiloscopy techniques that occupy the dermal patterns for human identification are used. The objective of the present work is to compare epidermal with dermal records and validate scientifically, this method of identification (epidermal - dermal). For this purpose, 32 cadaveric fingers of Chilean individuals, of both sexes and between 40 and 80 years were used. In order to obtain the epidermal and dermal artificial physical record, the technique of obtaining necrodactyle impressions was used and compared through of the technique of dactyloscopic comparison. These procedures were carried out by criminalistic experts of Carabineros de Chile. It was possible to show important differences between epidermis and dermis in terms of quantity and quality of characteristic points and presence of senile lines. In relation to fundamental types, it was evidenced that in the dermis it is difficult to observe fundamental types (blurred) but no digit was found that presented a different of fundamental type between epidermis and dermis. There were also differences by sex and age. Finally, it was possible to demonstrate that there is a similar morphological relationship between artificial physical records of epidermal papiloscopic patterns with dermal patterns from the same individual. This allows the use of dermal records for positive human identification. The results of this work are important in providing scientific evidence for human identification based on the dermal fingerprint pattern.

KEY WORDS: Necropapiloscopy; Dactylogram; Dactyloscopy; Papiloscopy; Human identification.