unidentified

Unidentified is an adjective that describes something whose identity is not known or has not been established. It is commonly used to refer to objects, persons, remains, or artifacts that have not yet been identified by name or by a distinguishing description.

In practice, the term appears in law enforcement, forensic science, archaeology, and aviation. An unidentified object or aircraft is one whose precise identity or origin has not been determined. A person who has not been identified may be described as an unidentified individual or an unidentified suspect. In forensic contexts, unidentified remains or an unidentified body indicate that investigators have not yet matched the remains to a specific person. In archaeology, an unidentified artifact or site may be described as such until further analysis reveals its dating, origin, or function.

Identification is the process of determining identity through evidence and records. Methods commonly used include comparisons with photographs, fingerprints, dental records, DNA analysis, facial reconstruction, and cross-checking with databases and witnesses. When identity is established, the term typically changes from unidentified to identified and records are updated accordingly. Some cases remain unidentified for long periods due to lack of records, advanced decomposition, concealment of identity, or deliberate evasion.

The concept also appears in popular culture, most famously in the term unidentified flying object, or UFO, used to describe a reported flying craft whose origin remains unknown.