Identity vs. identification

**Allen165** · 25-Mar-2011, 10:16

"A person is identified when his identity/identification directly follows from a piece of information."

I would go with "identity." I think of "identification" as the process by which you find out someone's identity. Do you agree?

Thanks!

**Allen165** · 25-Mar-2011, 16:28

Anyone?

Thanks!

**Raymott** · 26-Mar-2011, 06:56

Originally Posted by Jasmin165

"A person is identified when his identity/identification directly follows from a piece of information."

I would go with "identity." I think of "identification" as the process by which you find out someone's identity. Do you agree?

Thanks!

They are both correct, depending on what you mean.
As you say, "identification" is the process of realising the identity of the person.
"Information can help you make an identification of a person."
"Information can help you realise the identity of a person."
"Information can help you in identifying a person."

In any case, I would not use "identity/identification" twice in the same sentence.
"A person is identified when we find out who s/he is by directly following a piece of information."