13 April 2015
Introduction to Forensic Anthropology: Watch the video and listen for: - what do forensic anthropologists do? - what main characteristics do they try to determine?
Introduction to Forensic Anthropology What do forensic anthropologists do? FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGISTS analyze skeletal remains to determine the identity of a victim as well as his/her life history, cause of death, or other clues about a crime. What major characteristics of the skeleton do forensic anthropologists determine? Sex - Determined by examining the skull and pelvis Age – Determined by analyzing the development of the teeth, the epiphyseal plates of the long bones, and cranial suture lines. Stature (height/build) – Determined by analyzing length of specific bones, such as the femur. Race – Determined by analyzing the skull for characteristics that are common among people of different races.
Introduction to Forensic Anthropology What do forensic anthropologists do? FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGISTS analyze skeletal remains to determine the identity of a victim as well as his/her life history, cause of death, or other clues about a crime. What major characteristics of the skeleton do forensic anthropologists determine? Sex - Determined by examining the skull and pelvis Age – Determined by analyzing the development of the teeth, the epiphyseal plates of the long bones, and cranial suture lines. Stature (height/build) – Determined by analyzing length of specific bones, such as the femur. Race – Determined by analyzing the skull for characteristics that are common among people of different races. Which of these characteristics did the scientists determine for “Crossbones girl”? - All of them! What other information did they learn? - health, occupation, social status, appearance
Case Study: Remains of Richard the III In 2013, University of Leicester announced that it had uncovered the remains of King Richard the III ( ), the last English king to die in battle. Through analyzing the bones and the DNA, they were able to make a number of startling conclusions about the king, including: It is Richard! Genetics, age, battle scars, diet/status, scoliosis, carbon dating all confirm he had at least one false-paternity event in his recent lineage. Blue eyes and blondish hair – in accordance with contemporary portraits, but against Shakespeare’s portrayal Lost his helmet in battle, died of a single, severe blow to head.
Major Bones of the Body Which do you know?
Major Bones of the Body - Game Pair up, label pieces of tape #1-8, then study bone names for 5 minutes. Use tape to mark the location of the following bones: Round 1 1.Clavicle 2.Ilium 3.Lumbar vertebrae 4.Mandible 5.Femur 6.Metacarpals 7.Sternum 8.cranium
Major Bones of the Body - Game Pair up, label pieces of tape #1-8, then study bone names for 5 minutes. Use tape to mark the location of the following bones: Round 2: 1.Scapula 2.Cervical vertebrae 3.Metatarsals 4.Phalanges 5.Humerus 6.Tibia 7.Ulna 8.femur
Major Bones of the Body - Game Pair up, label pieces of tape #1-8, then study bone names for 5 minutes. Use tape to mark the location of the following bones: Round 3: 1.Carpals 2.Rib 3.Patella 4.Sacrum 5.Thoracic vertebrae 6.Fibula 7.Radius 8.Lumbar vertebrae
Structure of a Long Bone The diaphysis is the shaft. The epiphyses are the ends Epiphyseal plates are plates of cartilage found near the ends of growing bones. In adults, this cartilage is completely replaced by bone, forming the epiphyseal line. Inside the diaphysis is the medullary cavity which contains bone marrow.
Determining Gender from Skulls Male or female? How can you tell? Brow ridges Large Nuchal crest Male!
Determining Gender from Skulls Male or female? How can you tell? No brow ridges Female!
Determining Gender from Skulls AB CD A – Female B – female C – male D - male
Determining Gender from Pelvic bones Male or female? How can you tell? Female! Wide pubic arch and wide, circular pelvic inlet
Determining Gender from Pelvic Bones A B C D A – M B – F C – F D - M
You Do Bone Box In groups of 5, find … How much of the skeleton can you assemble in 10 minutes? Bonus for correct identification of bones and gender. Separate bones Examine the other bone we have, identifying them by name and (when possible) determining the gender.
Closure 1.What were our objectives today and how well did we meet them? 2.What learner profile trait did we focus on and how did we use it? 3.How does what we learned today address our unit question?
Exit Ticket #1 – 6 Identify the bones shown
Exit Ticket 7 & 8 Identify the gender of the skull shown, and explain how you know. 9 & 10 Identify the gender of the pelvis shown, and explain how you know.
Exit Ticket Extra Credit (3 pts!) 1.What do you call the cartilage plate found in the bones of growing kids? 2. What are the four characteristics forensic anthropologists try to determine?