1. Forensic anthropology
The skull
Forensic anthropology

2. The Skull Total # - 22 Cranium – skull without mandible
8 paired, 6 unpaired
Cranium – skull without mandible
Calvarium – cranium without face
Sutures: serrated and interdigitated
The only moveable (synovial) joints
Occipital condyles and C1
TMJ

3. The Frontal Bone Unpaired Recognizable by the sinuses Articulations?
Individual identification: unfused frontal (called metopic suture), variable sinuses
2 growth centers (R&L)

4. Is the frontal useful? Yes! Age – the metopic suture fuses ~2-4 years
Sex determination
Supercilliary arch / frontal boss
Supraorbital margin
Temporal line

5. The Parietals Paired Rectangular shaped Articulations?
Individual ID: variable sutures and foramen placement
Growth – single growth center

6. Are the parietals useful?
Mostly for age
General thickness becomes more uniform with adulthood
Fuses with parietal only with advanced age

7. The occipital Unpaired Ovoid with a big hole in it… Articulations?
Individual ID: Inca bone p. 50
(usually triangular or rectangular)
Growth - 4 parts: squamous, 2 laterals, basial (pars basilaris usually survives)

8. Is the occipital useful?
Yes!!!
Age
Pars basilaris
Fuses to squamous portion at 1-3 years
Fuses to the rest at 5-7 years
Fuses to sphenoid during mid teens
Sex
External occipital protuberance
Superior and inferior nuchal lines

9. The temporals Paired Circular (with a large process for ear canal)
Articulations?
Individual ID: suture variation
Growth – 3 parts: petrous, squamousal, tympanic ring)

10. Are the temporal useful?
Age
The 3 parts are joined by ~5 years old
Sex
Mastoid process

11. The sphenoid Unpaired Butterfly shaped Articulations?
Growth – many centers fuse by birth into 3 parts (wings separated by body) which fuse by 1 year old

12. The zygomatics Paired facial bones
Triangular with maxillary, frontal, and temporal processes
Forms lateral wall of orbit
Articulations?
Individual ID: variable sutures
Growth – 1 center,

13. Are the zygomatics useful?
Age
Zygomatics fully formed by 2-3 years old
Race
Suture pattern of the zygomaxillary junction generally related to race

14. The ethmoid Found at the base of the frontal, anterior to the sphenoid
Very uniquely shaped
Forms part of the orbit (medial wall)
Need to know
Crista galli
Perpendicular plate

15. Other bones of the face The lacrimals –tear ducts
The palatines – at back of mouth, found behind palatine process of maxillae
Vomer – small wedge of bone btw pterygoid processes of sphenoid (bisects nasal cavity)
Not typically found, not particularly useful in ID
The NASALS
The inferior nasal conchae (found in nasal aperture internally, posterior to the nasal bones

16. The teeth

17. The Maxillae Paired, facial
Contribute to structure of eyes, nose, mouth
3 processes; frontal, zygomatic, palatine
Articulations?
Individual ID: dental arch, teeth, prominence of mouth and nose

18. Are the maxillae useful?
Yes!
Age – TEETH!!!
Race:
Width of nasal aperature
Projection of nose and mouth
Dental arch shape

19. The Maxillae Paired, facial
Contribute to structure of eyes, nose, mouth
3 processes; frontal, zygomatic, palatine
Articulations?
Individual ID: dental arch, teeth, prominence of mouth and nose

20. Are the maxillae useful?
Yes!
Age – TEETH!!!
Race:
Width of nasal aperature
Projection of nose and mouth
Dental arch shape

21. The mandible Single bone U-shaped with vertical processes
Contains teeth: functions largely as muscle attachments (chewing muscles and tongue) and holds teeth
Individual ID: variable shape of jaw, teeth
Growth – 2 centers

22. Is the mandible useful? YES!! Age Sex 2 halves fuse by 6-8 months
Mental protuberance
Gonial angle

23. The mandible Single bone U-shaped with vertical processes
Contains teeth: functions largely as muscle attachments (chewing muscles and tongue) and holds teeth

24. Is the mandible useful?
YES!! Individual ID: variable shape of jaw, teeth
Growth – 2 centers
Age
2 halves fuse by 6-8 months
Sex
Mental protuberance
Gonial angle

25. Teeth!!!!! Directional terminology Labial: toward lips
Buccal: toward cheek
Lingual: toward tongue
Mesial: toward midline
Distal: toward back of mouth, away from midline

27. Teeth We talk about teeth in quadrants (RU, RL, LU, LL), 8 in each
Short hand examples…
Upper, lower, left, right
4 types
Incisors (2)
Canines (1)
Premolars (2)
Molars (3)

28. 4 types Incisor, Canine, Premolar, Molar

29. Incisors 8 total Anterior teeth Single straight edge with no cusps
Single root

30. Canines 4 total Distal to incisors Single cusp Single root

31. Premolars 2 cusps 8 total 1-2 roots Distal to canine
Buccal root larger
1-2 roots
8 total
Distal to canine

32. Molars 12 total Multiple cusps Multiple roots
Complex morphology for chewing and grinding
Upper molars generally have more roots