Unidentified individual Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unidentified individual

[หŒสŒnสŒษชหˆdษ›ntษชfaษชd หŒษชndษชหˆvษชdส’สŠษ™l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in a police report

An unidentified individual refers to a person whose identity is not known or disclosed.

Synonyms

unknown person, unnamed individual.

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Word Description / Examples
unidentified individual

This phrase is often used in formal or official contexts, such as police reports, news articles, or legal documents, when the identity of a person is not known or not disclosed.

  • The police are looking for an unidentified individual related to the incident.
  • An unidentified individual was seen leaving the building late at night.
unknown person

This term is used in everyday conversation or less formal situations when someone doesn't know who a specific person is. It is straightforward and neutral.

  • A package was delivered to me by an unknown person.
  • An unknown person called my phone several times today.
unnamed individual

This phrase is used in both formal and informal contexts, typically when the identity of the person is known but is purposely not being disclosed, often to protect their privacy or for legal reasons.

  • The unnamed individual provided crucial information to the investigators.
  • An unnamed individual was awarded a medal for their actions during the crisis.

Examples of usage

  • Police are searching for an unidentified individual seen near the crime scene.
  • The victim described the attacker as an unidentified individual.
Context #2 | Noun

in a medical setting

An unidentified individual is someone whose identity is not known or confirmed, particularly in cases of emergency or accidents.

Synonyms

unidentified person, unknown patient.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unidentified individual

Used in formal or official reports, such as in investigations or news articles, where the identity of the person is not known. This term is neutral and doesn't imply anything negative.

  • The police found an unidentified individual near the scene of the crime.
  • Authorities are seeking information about an unidentified individual seen in the surveillance footage.
unidentified person

Often used in general contexts, including news and daily communication, to indicate that the identity of the person is unknown. It is a neutral term.

  • An unidentified person left a package at the front door.
  • The hospital admitted an unidentified person last night.
unknown patient

Primarily used in medical and health-related contexts where the identity of a patient is not known, such as when someone is admitted to a hospital without identification.

  • The emergency room received an unknown patient after the accident.
  • Medical staff are requesting help to identify an unknown patient admitted with severe injuries.

Examples of usage

  • The hospital is treating an unidentified individual brought in by paramedics.
  • Emergency responders need to quickly identify any unidentified individuals at the scene.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Law Enforcement

  • In criminal investigations, an unidentified individual can be critical to solving cases, often referred to as a 'John Doe' or 'Jane Doe'.
  • Police sketches or descriptions of unidentified individuals can help the public in finding out who they are.

Data Privacy

  • In research and data collection, protecting the identity of unidentified individuals helps ensure privacy and confidentiality.
  • Ethical guidelines often require that unidentified individuals in studies be treated with care to protect their rights.

Pop Culture

  • Mystery characters often appear in movies and books, creating suspense as viewers guess their identities.
  • The term is commonly used in social media to refer to anonymous users who post without revealing their names.

Psychology

  • Anonymity can affect behavior, making individuals act differently when they aren't identifiable.
  • The phenomenon of 'deindividuation' describes how people often lose self-awareness in groups of unidentified individuals.

History

  • Historical records often mention unidentified individuals in investigations, changing the way we perceive justice and identity.
  • Famous unsolved mysteries involve unidentified individuals, such as the case of 'The Somerton Man', whose identity remains unknown even today.

Origin of 'unidentified individual'

The use of the term 'unidentified individual' dates back to the early 20th century, coinciding with the development of modern policing and medical practices. As societies became more complex, the need to refer to individuals whose identities are unknown or undisclosed became more common in various official reports and documents.