Proof of identity; the proving that a person, subject, or article before the court is the very same that he or it is alleged, charged, or reputed to be; as where a witness recognizes the prisoner at the bar as the same person whom he saw committing the crime; or where handwriting , stolen goods , counterfeit coin , etc., are recognized as the same which once passed under the observation of the person identifying them.Identitas vera colligitur ex multitu- dine signorum. True identity is collected from a multitude of signs. Bac. Max.