Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Responsa for Yevamot 240:2

ולהך לישנא דאמר רבא סימנין דאורייתא הא קתני אף על פי שיש סימנין בגופו ובכליו

and the other Master is of the opinion that it does not constitute a distinct identification mark. With reference to the version according to which Raba stated that 'identification marks are valid Pentateuchally' [the objection might be raised:] Surely it was taught, THOUGH THERE WERE ALSO MARKS ON THE MAN'S BODY OR CLOTHING!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' If identification marks have pentateuchal validity these should have been regarded as reliable. ');"><sup>3</sup></span> — As to the BODY [the marks indicated by the witnesses were only that the corpse was] long or short;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Which cannot be regarded as reliable marks of identification. ');"><sup>4</sup></span>

Teshuvot Maharam

Q. A went to a village and expected to return the same day. He did not return, and on that day a murdered man was found in the nearby forest. Although the body was unrecognizable as it had been mutilated by dogs, it was identified as A's body for the following reasons: (a) People said that a Jew was murdered; (b) the garments on the dead body were recognized as belonging to A; (c) A's wife identified a mole on the dead body as the one her husband had. May A's wife remarry?
A. Neither a general rumor, nor the finding of one's garments on a dead body, are sufficient to establish the death of an individual. But a woman is believed when she identifies her husband's body through a mole. A's wife may, therefore, remarry.
SOURCES: Pr. 371.
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