IGACI, ALAGOAS, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 7, 2026 Body of 39-year-old José Francisco Balbino was found in an advanced state of decomposition on an isolated plot of land near the settlement of Povoado Jacaré. The man had been missing for approximately 20 days, and his remains were discovered by two relatives who had gone searching for him.
José Francisco Balbino
Due to the extensive decomposition, the body could not be reliably identified by visual examination alone. However, a bag containing medication was found nearby. According to one of the relatives, the medication belonged to the missing man and had been in his possession when he disappeared.
The case was subsequently taken over by criminal investigators and specialists from the IML forensic institute in Arapiraca. Identification was eventually completed using a specialized technique known as necropapiloscopy, which allows fingerprints to be recovered even from human remains in an advanced state of decomposition.
A key detail was that one of the victim’s hands remained clenched into a fist. As a result, some of the tissue on his fingers had been preserved in a mummified state. Forensic specialist Deyvisson Victor then used chemical rehydration and other procedures to restore the tissue structure and make it possible to record the fingerprint patterns.
The collected portions of the fingers were initially treated with acetic acid for approximately 24 hours. Further rehydration procedures using glycerin followed. The fingerprints were successfully recorded using specialized powder and photography before being used to confirm the man’s identity.
Brazilian authorities officially confirmed that the remains belonged to 39-year-old José Francisco Balbino. Following the completion of the identification process, his body was released to his family for burial. The exact cause of death and the circumstances surrounding his death have not been disclosed in available reports. Authorities have also not confirmed whether the case involved a homicide.
