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Chapter 9 Forensic Anthropology Prof. J. T. Spencer Adjunct Prof. T. L. Meeks Learning Goals and Objectives Forensic anthropology can provide critical answers in an investigation involving human remains… Learning Goals and Objectives •The structure and function of the bones of the human body •How to determine if an object is bone or not •How to determine if a bone is human bone •How to determine how old a bone is •How to construct a biological profile from skeletal remains Learning Goals and Objectives •How to prepare a facial reconstruction from a skull •How to gain insight into how someone died by examining their bones •How to process a crime scene contain bones •What is forensic taphonomy. Anthropology Defined as “the field of study that deals with the analysis of human skeletal remains resulting from unexplained deaths.” •Often done in a legal context •An applied science •Five subdisciplines: •1. Biological, or physical anthropology •2. Archaeology •3. Cultural anthropology •4. Linguistics •5. Applied anthropology Biological Profile Includes: 1. General Description 2. Sex of decedent 3. Age of decedent 4. Ancestry of decedent 5. Stature of decedent 6. Assessment of trauma (ante-, peri-, post mortem) 7. Pathologies noted Biological Profile 206 Bones Osteology: study of skeletal remains 206 Bones Osteology Human bone –vs- Animal bone Macroscopic differences Radiology Observation Measurement Microscopic differences Macroscopic differences Baboon femur Human femur Microscopic differences Osteology Radiographs Information from skeletal remains Sex of decedent Skull Hip bone Femur Information from skeletal remains Sex of decedent http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html Information from skeletal remains Sex of decedent MALE OR FEMALE SKELETON? (a) IS FEMALE and (b) IS MALE Information from skeletal remains Sex of decedent http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html What can we learn from skeletons? Age at Death Hip bone most useful for adults Estimate given as a range (30 – 35 yrs old) Teeth: Erupted or Not? Epiphyses: fused or unfused? Auricular surface Pubic symphysis 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 Osteology Teeth also studied Deciduous –vs- Permanent Age at Death http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html Epiphyses - A part of bone separated from the main body of the bone by a layer of cartilage and subsequently uniting with the bone through further ossification Unfused = juvenile Fused = adult More info from skeletal remains ANCESTRY of decedent Difficult determination to make Facial bones most important Nasal aperture Teeth Interorbital space Mandible Stature estimate Measure long bone(s) available Plug in value to formula Range established for stature of decedent 5’ 2” – 5’ 5” Other information TRAUMA and PATHOLOGIES Ante- mortem Post-mortem Peri-mortem Gunshot Trauma Pathologies Individual Identification 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. Habitual activity can wear away the protective, cartilagenous lining which reduces friction in joints. The humerus in this photograph were in contact for many years prior to this individual's death. The surfaces are smooth and shiny, indicating that the joint capsule and cartilage had worn away, allowing bone on bone contact in the cavity. http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html Individual Identification Dental implants, braces, and other types of dental work are often recovered with a body and are extremely useful in identification because they are so unique to the individual and are well detailed in antemortem radiographs and medical records. Healed fracture on the sternal end of a midthoracic rib. The area within the red brackets is the site of injury. Note the more porous appearance of the bone in this area - this is woven bone. http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/sasta.html Forensic Anthropology Conclusions and Summary 1. General Description 2. Sex of decedent 3. Age of decedent 4. Ancestry of decedent 5. Stature of decedent 6. Assessment of trauma (ante-, peri-, post mortem) 7. Pathologies noted Exclusionary and identification evidence Class and individual evidence Forensic Anthropology • http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/f orensics/anthropology/1.html • http://www.forensicanthro.com/ • http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/biology/fore nsics/index.shtml