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Chapter 9 Forensic Anthropology

Chapter 9 Forensic Anthropology. Prof. J. T. Spencer Adjunct Prof. T. L. Meeks. Learning Goals and Objectives. Forensic anthropology can provide critical answers in an investigation involving human remains…. Learning Goals and Objectives. The structure and function of the bones

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Chapter 9 Forensic Anthropology

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  1. Chapter 9 Forensic Anthropology Prof. J. T. Spencer Adjunct Prof. T. L. Meeks

  2. Learning Goals and Objectives Forensic anthropology can provide critical answers in an investigation involving human remains…

  3. Learning Goals and Objectives • The structure and function of the bones • of the human body • How to determine if an object is bone or • not • How to determine if a bone is human • bone • How to determine how old a bone is • How to construct a biological profile from • skeletal remains

  4. Learning Goals and Objectives • How to prepare a facial reconstruction • from a skull • How to gain insight into how someone • died by examining their bones • How to process a crime scene contain • bones • What is forensic taphonomy.

  5. Anthropology • Defined as “the field of study that deals with the analysis of human skeletal remains resulting from unexplained deaths.” • Often done in a legal context • An applied science • Five subdisciplines: • 1. Biological, or physical anthropology • 2. Archaeology • 3. Cultural anthropology • 4. Linguistics • 5. Applied anthropology

  6. Biological Profile Includes: 1. General Description 2. Sex of decedent 3. Age of decedent 4. Ancestry of decedent 5. Stature of decedent 6. Assessment of trauma (ante-, peri-, post mortem) 7. Pathologies noted

  7. Biological Profile 206 Bones

  8. Osteology: study of skeletal remains 206 Bones

  9. Osteology Human bone –vs- Animal bone Macroscopic differences Radiology Observation Measurement Microscopic differences

  10. Macroscopic differences Baboon femur Human femur

  11. Microscopic differences

  12. Osteology Radiographs

  13. Information from skeletal remains Sex of decedent Skull Hip bone Femur

  14. Information from skeletal remains Sex of decedent http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html

  15. Information from skeletal remainsSex of decedent MALE OR FEMALE SKELETON? (a) IS FEMALE and (b) IS MALE

  16. Information from skeletal remains Sex of decedent http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html

  17. What can we learn from skeletons? Age at Death Hip bone most useful for adults Estimate given as a range (30 – 35 yrs old) Teeth: Erupted or Not? Epiphyses: fused or unfused? Auricular surface Pubic symphysis

  18. Age at DeathLong Bone Development

  19. Age at Death http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html

  20. Age at Death http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html

  21. Osteology Teeth also studied Deciduous –vs- Permanent

  22. Age at Death http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html

  23. Epiphyses - A part of bone separated from the main body of the bone by a layer of cartilage and subsequently uniting with the bone through further ossification Unfused = juvenile Fused = adult

  24. More info from skeletal remains ANCESTRY of decedent Difficult determination to make Facial bones most important Nasal aperture Teeth Interorbital space Mandible

  25. Stature estimate Measure long bone(s) available Plug in value to formula Range established for stature of decedent 5’ 2” – 5’ 5”

  26. Other information TRAUMA and PATHOLOGIES Ante- mortem Post-mortem Peri-mortem Gunshot

  27. Trauma

  28. Pathologies

  29. Individual Identification Person identified when it was found that the amalgam used in her dental restorations was of a type found only in specific areas on the Eastern Coast of the United States. Habitual activity can wear away the protective, cartilagenous lining which reduces friction in joints. The humerus in this photograph were in contact for many years prior to this individual's death. The surfaces are smooth and shiny, indicating that the joint capsule and cartilage had worn away, allowing bone on bone contact in the cavity. http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html

  30. Individual Identification Dental implants, braces, and other types of dental work are often recovered with a body and are extremely useful in identification because they are so unique to the individual and are well detailed in antemortem radiographs and medical records. Healed fracture on the sternal end of a midthoracic rib. The area within the red brackets is the site of injury. Note the more porous appearance of the bone in this area - this is woven bone. http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html

  31. Forensic Anthropology Conclusions and Summary 1. General Description 2. Sex of decedent 3. Age of decedent 4. Ancestry of decedent 5. Stature of decedent 6. Assessment of trauma (ante-, peri-, post mortem) 7. Pathologies noted Exclusionary and identification evidence Class and individual evidence

  32. Forensic Anthropology http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/anthropology/1.html http://www.forensicanthro.com/ http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/biology/forensics/index.shtml

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