identifications

Identifications refer to the processes used to determine the identity of a person, an object, or a living organism. The concept spans disciplines such as biology, forensics, information technology, and administration, and may involve physical evidence, textual records, or data analysis.

In forensic science, identification attaches evidence to a source, using methods such as fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling, dental records, and lesion or tattoo documentation. In biology and taxonomy, identification assigns a taxonomic name to an organism based on morphological traits, genetic data, or reference keys, with dichotomous keys guiding step-by-step decisions.

In information technology and security, identifications refer to authentication and identity management—verifying who or what is requesting access. Techniques include passwords, biometrics (fingerprint, iris), tokens, and multi-factor authentication, accompanied by identity governance and audit trails.

Quality of identifications depends on evidence, data quality, and method validity. Misidentification can occur due to errors, bias, degraded samples, or technological limitations, with consequences in medicine, law, and science. Practices such as chain of custody, provenance, and peer review help mitigate risk.

Identification systems raise privacy concerns and potential discrimination, requiring transparent standards, consent where possible, and oversight to prevent abuse.

In statistics and research, identifiability describes whether model parameters can be uniquely inferred from the data. In data management, identification numbers and documents organize records and track provenance.