1. Forensic Anthropology 2

2. Distinguishing Age Age can be determined by examining particular bones and by looking for the presence or absence of cartilage –Bones do not reach maturity at the same time

3. Suture Marks Suture marks are zigzag marks found on the skull where bones meet In immature skulls, areas of softer tissue (soft spot of a baby’s head), gradually become ossified (hardens) These marks start to disappear as the bones mature, giving the skull a smoother look

4. Suture Marks There are 3 suture marks: Coronal, Lamboidal, and Squamosal We will be looking at 2: –Coronal Suture closes at the age of 50 –Lamboidal suture begins closing at 21, accelerates at 26, and is closed at 30

5. Cartilaginous Lines As we get older cartilage is slowly replaced with hard compact bones, which causes a cartilaginous line, called a epiphysis When cartilage is fully replace, the line is no longer visible The completion of growth for each bone varies Thus, the presence or absence of cartilaginous lines can be used to determine age

6. Long Bones ** When the head of a long bone (femur or humerus) has totally fused to its shaft, age can be determined. Fusing occurs at different ages for different bones.

7. Distinguishing Height Using the measurement of one of the long bones (femur or humerus) approximate height of an individual can be determined The formula for determining height difference between male and female and different races (thus if race and sex are known, calculations will be more accurate.

8. Distinguishing height –Example: an American Caucasian male bone is found. It is a 49 cm femur. Determine the height Height (cm) = 2.32 (49cm) + 65.53 = 113.68 + 65.53 = 179.21 cm = 179.21 cm *.39 in/1cm = 69.89 in = 5 ft 8 in

9. Distinguishing Race Determining race from skeletal remains have become more difficult due to the combing of physical traits between different races In forensic science, there are only 3 races –Caucasoid –Negroid –Mongoloid The best indicators are the skull and femur

10. The Skull (differences between races) –Shape of the eye sockets –Absence or presence of a nasal spine –Measurements of the nasal index –Prognathism (projection of the upper jaw beyond the lower jaw) –Width of face –Angulation of the jaw and face