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uk Death, bereavement & serious family crises identification after death • told they need a recent photo • asked for dental records • asked for dentist details • confirming identity of a body • identification taking longer than expected • coroner identification process • police family liaison officer • body not visually identifiable • dental chart comparison • providing photos to authorities • next of kin contacted • unexpected questions after a death • mortuary identification request • post mortem identification • anxious about misidentification • who to contact for updates • asked to prove identity

What to do if…
you are told identification may require a recent photo or dental information after a death

Short answer

Pause and get one named point of contact (police Family Liaison Officer or the coroner’s officer), then provide only what they request in a controlled way: a small set of clear recent photos and the names/locations of current and past dentists.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t post their photos or personal details publicly “to speed things up” unless the police explicitly ask you to.
  • Don’t hand over original documents (passport, birth certificate, medical/dental paperwork) without keeping copies and getting a receipt/reference.
  • Don’t send sensitive information to an unverified email/number—confirm contact details via an official switchboard, letter, or trusted call-back.
  • Don’t assume this means something “suspicious” happened; identification can be difficult for many reasons.
  • Don’t feel pressured to view the body if you’re offered that option and you don’t want to—identification can often be confirmed without it.

What to do now

  1. Confirm who is asking and get the reference.
    Ask: “Are you the police Family Liaison Officer / investigating officer, or the coroner’s officer?” Write down name, role, office/force, phone, email, and the case/reference number.

  2. Ask exactly what they need and why (in plain terms).
    Say: “Can you tell me what you need from me today—photos, dentist details, or both—and what it’s for?”
    This helps you avoid oversharing personal data “just in case”.

  3. Provide a small, high-quality set of recent photos (not everything).
    Send 2–6 clear images that show:

    • A straightforward face photo (good lighting, minimal filters)
    • Another recent photo from a different angle
      If you already have one, include a natural smile photo (don’t create anything new under pressure). Add the approximate date range for the photos.

  4. Give dentist/orthodontist details (so records can be requested/compared).
    Provide what you can:

    • Current dentist practice name + town
    • Any previous dentists/orthodontists (even partial details help)
    • Approximate years they were registered/treated
      You may be asked to confirm your relationship to the person, or to help with a permission step—ask what they need from you and keep it minimal.

  5. Only use a secure, agreed channel to send information.
    Ask: “What is the safest way to send these—secure email, a portal, or in person?” If they ask for email, request a call-back to verify the address/recipient.

  6. Ask what happens next and how updates work.
    “When should I expect the next update, and who should I contact if I haven’t heard?” Keep a short log of who you spoke to and when.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide about funerals, viewings, or announcements until identification is confirmed.
  • You do not need to send a full dental/medical history or “every photo you have”.
  • You do not need to chase multiple offices at once—stick to one named contact and one reference number.

Important reassurance

Being asked for photos or dental details is a common way to confirm identity when visual identification isn’t reliable. It does not, by itself, mean you did something wrong or that anyone is being careless—this is often the careful route to avoid mistakes.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilise communication and reduce the risk of misidentification while you’re under shock. Later steps (formal confirmation, paperwork, inquest processes) can be handled once you have one clear contact and reference.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Processes vary by area and circumstances. If you are unsure whether a request is genuine, slow down and verify the caller/office via an official contact route before sharing personal information.

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