Transcript What do forensic anthropologists do?

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
Which
characteristics
did the scientists
Whatofdothese
forensic
anthropologists
do? determine for
“Crossbones girl”?
ANTHROPOLOGISTS analyze skeletal remains to determine
- AllFORENSIC
of them!
the identity of a victim as well as his/her life history, cause of death, or other
clues
about
a crime. did they learn?
What
other
information
- health, occupation, social status, appearance
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.
Case Study: Remains of Richard the III
In 2013, University of Leicester announced that it had uncovered the
remains of King Richard the III (1453-1485) , 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
Male!
Large
Nuchal
crest
Determining Gender from Skulls
Male or female?
How can you tell?
No brow
ridges
Female!
Determining Gender from Skulls
A – Female
B – female
C – male
D - male
A
B
C
D
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–M
B–F
C–F
D-M
A
C
B
D
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
1
Identify the bones shown.
2
3
4
5
6
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?