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What to do if…
you are asked for photos or dental information to help identify a deceased person

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Pause and get one named official contact before sending anything. Provide only what they ask for, usually a small set of clear recent photos or the names and locations of dentists, using a verified channel.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t post their photos or personal details publicly to speed things up unless the police or another official contact specifically asks you to.
  • Don’t send sensitive information to an email address, phone number, or message account you have not verified through an official route.
  • Don’t hand over original documents, dental paperwork, or identity documents unless you have asked why, kept copies where possible, and received a receipt or reference.
  • Don’t send every photo, medical record, or private message you have just in case.
  • Don’t assume this means something suspicious happened; identification can be difficult for practical reasons.
  • Don’t feel pressured to view the body if you are offered that option and you do not want to. Ask what other identification methods are being used.

What to do now

  1. Confirm who is asking.
    Ask for their name, role, organisation, office or force, phone number, email address, and case or reference number. In different parts of the UK this may involve a coroner’s officer, police contact, procurator fiscal contact, mortuary, or another official death-investigation contact.

  2. Verify the contact route before sharing anything.
    Use an official switchboard, official letter, known police or coroner contact route, or a call-back through the organisation’s published number. Say: “I need to confirm I am sending this to the right person before I share photos or dental details.”

  3. Ask exactly what they need today.
    Say: “Do you need photos, dentist details, or both? How many photos do you want, what format should they be in, and how should I send them?” Write the answer down with the date and time.

  4. Prepare only a small set of suitable recent photos.
    Choose clear, unedited images that show the person’s face in good light. If you have them, include one straightforward face photo and one recent photo from a slightly different angle. Add an approximate date or date range for each photo if you know it.

  5. Gather dentist and orthodontist details without trying to obtain records yourself under pressure.
    Write down the current or most recent dental practice name, town, phone number if you have it, any previous dentists or orthodontists, and approximate years of treatment. Ask the official contact whether they will request records directly, or whether they need any consent, relationship confirmation, or form from you.

  6. Send information only through the agreed secure channel.
    Ask whether they want secure email, an upload portal, delivery in person, or another route. If they ask for email, read the address back slowly and ask them to confirm the recipient and reference number.

  7. Ask what happens next and when you should expect an update.
    Say: “Who should I contact if I have not heard anything, and when would it be reasonable to ask for an update?” Keep a short note of every call or message, including names, times, and what you sent.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide funeral details, viewings, public announcements, or travel arrangements in this moment.
  • You do not need to send a full medical history, full dental history, or every photo you can find unless an official contact asks for something specific.
  • You do not need to chase several offices at once. One named contact and one reference number is enough for now.
  • You do not need to decide whether you want to view the body while you are still taking in the request.

Important reassurance

Being asked for photos or dental details is usually a careful identification step, especially where visual identification is not reliable or where officials need a higher level of certainty. It does not, by itself, mean you have done anything wrong or that anyone is being careless.

Scope note

These are first steps only: they are meant to help you stabilise communication, share the minimum useful information, and reduce the risk of confusion while you are under shock. Later decisions about formal confirmation, release of the body, paperwork, registration, funeral arrangements, or any investigation process may need specialist help or the named official contact’s guidance.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, forensic, financial, therapeutic, or professional advice. Processes vary by UK nation, local area, and the circumstances of the death. If you are unsure whether a request is genuine, slow down and verify the office through an official contact route before sharing personal information.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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