<P> `` John Doe '' , `` John Roe '' or `` Richard Roe '' ( for men ) , `` Jane Doe '' or `` Jane Roe '' ( for women ) , and `` Baby Doe '' , `` Janie Doe '' or `` Johnny Doe '' ( for children ) , or just `` Doe '' or `` Roe '' are multiple - use names that have two distinct usages . Firstly , and especially in the United States , Canada and Ireland , they may refer to an unidentified person , or a party in a legal action whose identity is being withheld officially . In the context of law enforcement in the United States , such names are often used to refer to a corpse whose identity is unknown or unconfirmed . Secondly , such names are also often used to refer to a hypothetical `` everyman '' in other contexts , in a manner similar to `` John Q. Public '' or `` Joe Public '' . </P>
<P> `` John Doe '' , `` John Roe '' or `` Richard Roe '' ( for men ) , `` Jane Doe '' or `` Jane Roe '' ( for women ) , and `` Baby Doe '' , `` Janie Doe '' or `` Johnny Doe '' ( for children ) , or just `` Doe '' or `` Roe '' are multiple - use names that have two distinct usages . Firstly , and especially in the United States , Canada and Ireland , they may refer to an unidentified person , or a party in a legal action whose identity is being withheld officially . In the context of law enforcement in the United States , such names are often used to refer to a corpse whose identity is unknown or unconfirmed . Secondly , such names are also often used to refer to a hypothetical `` everyman '' in other contexts , in a manner similar to `` John Q. Public '' or `` Joe Public '' . </P>
why do they use john doe and jane doe
why do they use john doe and jane doe
refer to an unidentified person a party in a legal action whose identity is being withheld officially a hypothetical `` everyman '' in other contexts
refer to an unidentified person a party in a legal action whose identity is being withheld officially a hypothetical `` everyman '' in other contexts