Forensic Anthropology -Forensic anthropology is the study of skeletal remains to help determine the identity and cause of death of a victim -Often this evidence is important to legal investigations

Role of the Forensic Anthropologist: Forensic Anthropology Role of the Forensic Anthropologist: Recover remains and determine if remains are human or not Determine identity of Human Remains Determine Time or Cause of Death

Forensic Anthropology Education: Most forensic anthropologists are specialists in physical anthropology. Work in universities or museums Certification available from the American Board of Forensic Anthropology

Locating Human Remains Cadaver dogs Remote sensing methods such as Infrared photography, ground penetrating radar, and metal detectors.

Determining Cause of Death Antemortem (before death) vs. postmortem (after death) breaks

Human bone –vs- Animal bone Macroscopic differences Baboon femur Human femur

Dog skull Baboon skull

Microscopic differences human mouse

Osteology: study of Bones Sub-discipline of Anthropology and archeology Each bone studied INDIVIDUALLY 206 Skeletal Bones (total)

Skeletal anatomy a. 206 bones b. Man = 12 lbs woman = 10 lbs

Determining Gender The best skeletal evidence for determining gender comes from the shape of the pelvis. Pelvic opening much wider in females.

The SKULL can also be used to determine gender in some cases The SKULL can also be used to determine gender in some cases. The following structures tend to be more robust in men. -Brow ridges- more pronounced in the male than the female -Occipital bun -Jaw and Cheekbones- more pronounced in the male -mastoid process- larger in the male

Gender

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

Determining Ancestry/Race Types of evidence- -Shape of the nasal opening - Presence or absence of a nasal sill -Presence of shovel-shaped incisor teeth indicates Native American or East Asian decent -Straightness or projection of the lower portion of the face -Heavy or small brow ridges -Degree of curvature of one or more bones of the lower extremities

Race

Using skeletal remains to determine age of the victim Epiphyseal (Growth) plates are areas near the ends of bones where bones grow and increase in length. They can help determine if a person was still growing and give clues about their age Fusion of bones in skull (presence or absence of Fontanel)

Age at Death Long Bone Development

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

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

-Osteoporosis The loss of bone density described as osteoporosis can also be used in estimating age

Odontology Tooth emergence (eruption) can give accurate estimates of age for people who have not yet grown their complete set of adult teeth Tooth wear can also help in determining age, worn teeth can indicate a lifetime of usage.

Calculating Height from bones. A person’s height can be estimated using the lengths of the long bones such as the leg bones: femur, tibia, fibula and the arm bones: ulna radius, and humerus. Estimations are done using a mathematical equation which Is gender specific.

Individual Identification Dental Records Medical Records indicating past physical trauma (Fractures and damage to bones leave scars after they heal.) - facial reconstruction DNA analysis (bone marrow) 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.

Summary