Forensic Anthropology

The 206 bones of the human skeleton can also tell a story. video

Specialists called forensic anthropologists are trained to analyze the secrets locked in a bone’s shape and structure and can use this information to help solve crimes, trace human origins, or identify those who have gone missing

Introduction The main bones we’re interested in: *Cranium/Skull *Pelvis *Tibia *Femur *Humerus

The specific structure of your bones reveals information about your gender height age ethnicity.

What Can We Learn? Determination of Sex: -Pelvis -Skull Determination of Race: Approximate Age: -Growth of long bones Approximate Stature: -Length of long bones

Determination of Sex The Pelvis is the best area to study sex -Females have wider sub pubic angles for giving birth

In general, males have larger and bigger muscles, therefore those areas of the bones where muscles attach tend to be larger and rougher than the same areas on female bones. With this in mind, take a close look at each skull, especially, the browridge (the ridge above the eye socket ), mastoid process (part of a temporal bone that extends down behind the ear), and external occipital protuberance which covers the back lower part of the head (it may protrude like a hook in the male, called an inion hook). You may have observed the similar size of the occipital protuberance in these two skulls. Analyzing human skeletal remains often aren't cut and dry. Anthropologists need to examine numerous characteristics by making visual comparisons and taking measurements before forming their conclusions

Determination of Sex The Cranium/Skull is also very helpful in determining sex - Men’s chins are significantly more square and their ridges and crests are more pronounced

Determination of Race Forensic Anthropologists place bones in three races: Caucasoid (includes European, Middle Eastern, and East Indian descent), Negroid (African, Aborigine, and Melanesian), and Mongoloids (Asian, Native American, and Polynesian). It’s very difficult to determine race because many people are biracial and also not all individuals have skeletal traits that are consistent with their race The nasal index (the ratio of the width to the height of the nose multiplied by 100), nasal spine, prognathism (extended lower jaw), and the shape of the eye orbits all help determine race

Determination of Race Caucasian -Nasal index: <.48 -Nasal Spine: Prominent -Prognathism: Straight -Eye orbitals: Rounded, somewhat square • Caucasoids: have long narrow nasal aperture, triangular palate, oval orbitz, narrow zygomatic arches, and narrow mandibles.

Determination of Race Asian: -Nasal index: .48-.53 -Nasal Spine: somewhat prominent -Prornathism: Variable -Eye orbitals: Rounded, somewhat circular • Mongoloids: have a more rounded nasal aperture, a parabolic palate, rounded orbits, wide zygomatic arches, and more pointed mandibles.

Determination of Race African: -Nasal index:>.53 -Nasal Spine: Very small spine -Prognathism:Prognathic -Eye orbitals: Rectangular or square • Negroids: have a wide nasal aperture, a rectangular palate, square orbits, and more pronounced zygomatic arches. The long bones are also longer and have less curvature and greater density.

Over time there has been a greater amount of interracial mixing making the distinctions between features for race more difficult to characterize.

Determination of Age We use teeth, bone fusion, the hardness, wear and tear, and any damages to determine age

Determination of Age 0-5: teeth are best 6-25: fusion starts and ends at about 25 25-40 bones are very hard 40+: wear and tear on bones

Determination of Age

Determination of Stature Our long bone length (femur, tibia, humerus) is proportional to height Formula for height: 2.89(humerus length)+78.10 (all in cm) Example: If the humerus length=30.8, their height would be determined by 2.89(30.8)+78.10 cm BUT!!!

Males and females have slightly different body proportions, with females having relatively longer legs and males having relatively longer arms. Therefore, we use different mathematical formulas to estimate height.

Miscellaneous Information We can find out how they died based on any trauma (gunshots to head, etc.) Any evidence of post mortem trauma such as bite-marks (cannibalism or chewed on by animals) Any activities the victim enjoyed, example: You can find out different activities the victim liked based on their damage and “wear and tear” and size in certain areas of their body ex- swimmers versus runners tennis players racket arm…

Last week, a young couple was out for an early morning run.

Stopping to catch a drink, they stumbled upon what appeared to be a human skull. More bones were later located at the scene and are available for your examination.  

In this project, you will assume the role of a forensic anthropologist and complete a detailed examination of skeletal remains. Forensic anthropologists use a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures to predict traits from bone

Proficient Example On February 23, 2015, some joggers discovered skeletal remains in Parktown Park. With a backlog of missing persons, it was crucial to come up with a preliminary identification of the bones. Our forensic anthropology team believes that the recovered bones are from a 25 year old, Asian female, between 5’3’’ and 5’5’’. Cause of death is not known at this time. Based on the 95 degree angle of the ….., and ….., we are fairly confident in saying that the deceased is a female. Due to the fact that the …… measured in the range of …., and the …. was….., the races was determined to be …… INCLUDE SEX, AGE, RACE AND HEIGHT JUSTIFICATIONS… Recommendations for further analysis include …. And ….. In similar past cases, definite identity was made through…. and the families were able to receive closure. In conclusion, we recommend that … tests be run on all missing persons meeting the description of a …………