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Forensic Anthropology Pathology 3 Anthropology • Anthropology – Study of man • Primarily three subfields – Cultural anthropology • Deals with human behavior, culture, religion, etc. – Archaeology • Study of past cultures through artifacts – Physical (biological) anthropology • The study of human biological function & variation, particularly skeletal biology (osteology) Forensic Anthropology • Almost always within the field of osteology – Analyzing skeletal remains to cases of legal importance • Clues from bones: – – – – – Age Sex Time of death State of health Trauma • Three tasks of forensic anthropologist – ID victim • Age, sex, stature, ancestry, anomalies, pathology – Reconstruct the postmortem period – Provide data of the death event Indicates the “big three” of skeletal remains identification Forensic Anthropologist • Academic employment (university) – Forensics is part-time work. • Ph.D. in anthropology – 4-7 years post B.S. – 3 years of postdoctoral work – Pass the American Board of Forensic Anthropology written & practical exams Caution: Following slides contain graphic imagery of human remains. Forensic Anthropology Mass gravesite discovered near Srebrenica, Serbia/Herzegovina in 1995. The Srebrenica Massacre” as it came to be known, saw the death of perhaps over 8000 cilivians. The red flags mark the locations of skulls. Forensic evidence from this site eventually led to the first prosecuted case of genocide in Europe. Forensic Anthropology Mass gravesite discovered near Mosul, Iraq in 2003. Anatomical Orientation General Osteological Elements Types of Bones • Adult human skeleton has 206 bones – Approx. 450 at birth • Human body has four basic types of bones – – – – Long Short Flat Irregular Long Bones • Tubular shaft and articular (connected to a joint) ends – Includes the arm and leg bones • Femur, tibia, fibula • Humerus, radius, ulna • Generally grow from the ends (Epiphysis) – “Growth plates” Growth Plates Determination of juveniles and teenagers can be estimated by which growth plates have closed off versus which ones are still in the growth phase. Short Bones • Tubular shafts and articular ends but noticeably smaller than long bones – Includes hands, feet, clavicle • Metacarpals, phalanges • Metatarsals, phalanges • Clavicle Flat Bones • Flat shaft, thin with broad surfaces – Includes the ribs, scapula, sternum Irregular Bones • Miscellaneous category that includes bones that vary in size and shape • Distributed throughout the skeleton – Includes vertebrae, carpals, tarsals, patella Determining Age • Skull – Calvarium (brain case) much larger than rest of skull in young children – Look carefully at dentition and jaw size – Skull sutures begin to close with age Determining Age with the Skull Determining Age with the Skull Age and Skull Sutures The various sutures of the skull begin to close at varying ages in a human’s life. A fairly accurate determination of the age of the person in question can be determined by examining which sutures are present and/or absent. Determining Age • Long bones – Look for growth plates • Disappear between ages of 17-25 – Look at cartilage • Degenerates with age • Additional buildup of bone at joints indicates arthritic conditions Determining Age with Long Bones Determining Age • Vertebra – Like in the long bones, look for epiphyses sites – Will disappear by age 25 – Can also look at overall spinal alignment • Can be a hint to age and stature Determining Age with Vertebrae Determining Age with Vertebrae Determining Age with Arthritis Determining Sex • Male and female features are different in several key locations – Based on muscle mass, size, childbirth,etc. • Known as “sexual dimorphism” – Common in most mammals and to a lesser extent in other animal groups Determining Sex • Skull – Generally in males: • • • • Larger, squarer jaw Larger brow ridges Larger canines Larger attachments for jaw muscles Determining Sex Determining Sex • Pelvis – Much wider in females to accommodate childbirth – Flat end of the ilium is flat in males and more rounded in females Male Female Determining Sex • Femur – In general, male femurs are larger than females for two individuals of the same age – Muscle attachments for males are also much more defined Determining Sex Determining Stature and Weight • Very difficult to accurately accomplish • Best methods use long bones – Males generally show 5-10% taller stature than a female of the same age Calculations for Estimating Height of Caucasoid Male Estimating Height by ________ Formula Length of femur (cm) Length x 2.38 + 61.41 = height (cm) Length of tibia (cm) Length x 2.52 + 78.62 = height (cm) Length of fibula (cm) Length x 2.68 + 71.78 = height (cm) Determining Race • Humans are divided into three categories according to ancestry – Caucasoid – Negroid – Mongoloid (includes Native American) • Each ethnic group possesses subtle skeletal differences that can be identified by the trained eye Caucasoid Facial Features Negroid Facial Features Mongoloid Facial Features Race and Jaw Shape Negroid Mongoloid Caucasoid Race and Jaw Features Only Negroid jaws feature a pronounced “hook” (known as a ramus inversion) on the backside of the lower jaw…Caucasoids and Mongoloids do not exhibit this characteristic. Caucasoid If present, metopic sutures are usually a sign of Caucasoids Negroid Prognathism If present, prognathism (jutting out) of the lower jaw is usually a sign of Negroids Mongoloid If present, “Wormian bones” are usually a sign of Mongoloids