Download Forensic Anthropology Lab

Forensic Anthropology Lab
Background: Anthropology is a science dedicated to the study of humans and their cultures. Forensic
anthropology (a sub discipline) concerns itself primarily with the medicolegal study of human
remains, in particular human osteology. Forensic anthropologists are frequently called upon by police
investigators to identify and interpret human remains during death investigations. The forensic
anthropologist is often asked: What is the person’s sex? How old was the person? What was the cause
of death?
Purpose: Students will learn the basic scientific rationale and techniques used by forensic
anthropologists when examining and identifying human bones.
Materials:
anatomical diagrams
osteometric boards
bones
string
magnifying glass
meter stick
Procedure:
General Measurements
1. Calculate the cranial index on the skull featured in figure 29.2b. Use mm for all measurements.
2. Calculate the nasal index and orbital index from the skull in figure 29.2c.
3. Calculate the scapular index in figure 29.5.
4. Calculate the robusticity index for in figure 29.6 if the micf is = 18 mm.
5. Calculate the pelvic opening index for both pelvises in figure 29.9b.
6. Check your answers with Ms. Bolton to be sure you are on the right track.
7. Repeat #1-6 on the bones that you exhumed using the osteometric board and meter sticks.
Sexual Dimorphism
1. Using the chart and pages in the packet, determine the sex of the pelvic girdle that was
exhumed. Determine the age by examining the iliac crest and packet.
2. Using the chart and pages in the packet, determine the sex of the skull that was exhumed.
3. Do the same for the skull at station 5.
4. Using the chart and pages in the packet, determine the sex of the femur that was exhumed by
taking the appropriate measurements.
5. Do the same for the femur at station 6.
6. Using the chart and pages in the packet, determine the sex of the humerus that was exhumed.
7. Do the same for the humerus at station 7.
8. Using the chart and pages in the packet, determine the sex of the radius that was exhumed by
taking the appropriate measurements.
9. Do the same for the radius at station 8.
10. Decide the gender of the exhumed skeleton.
11. Calculate the stature of the exhumed skeleton by using the correct formulas.
a) use the length of the femur
b) use the length of the tibia
c) assuming there is cartilage on the bone, use the length of the
radius
12. Compare the infant skull to that of an adult. Describe the differences
in detail by using your packet to help you with skull terminology.
Name: __________________________
Per: ____ Date: _____
Forensic Anthropology Lab Data
General Measurement Data: (write the formula in the table and then solve)
Skeletal Index
Figure 29 Measurements - practice
Formula and Value
cranial index
nasal index
orbital index
scapular index
robusticity index
pelvic opening index (M)
pelvic opening index (F)
Skeletal Index
Exhumed Bones
Value
Station 1: cranial index
Station 1: nasal index
Station 1: orbital index
Station 2: scapular index
Station 3: robusticity index
Station 4: pelvic opening index
Sexual Dimorphism:
1. Sex of exhumed pelvic girdle: ___________________
2. List three reasons why you said this:
Step 1



Age range: ______________
3. Sex of exhumed skull: ___________________
4. List three reasons why you said this:

Step 2 & 3


5. Sex of skull at station 5: ___________________
6.
Exhumed Femur
4
Station 6 Femur
Vertical diameter
Bicondylar width
Trochanteric oblique length
Oblique length
Gender: _________________
Gender: _______________
8. Gender of exhumed humerus: ________________
Step 6 & 7
9. List two reasons why you said this:


10. Gender of humerus at station #7. _________________
Step 8 & 9
11. Head diameter of exhumed radius: ___________ Gender: __________________
12. Head diameter of station #8 radius: ___________ Gender: __________________
13. Exhumed skeleton’s gender: _________________
14. Exhumed skeleton’s stature (show work in formula)
a) femur length
Step 11
b) tibia length
c) radius length
Step 12
15. Infant vs. adult skull differences:
Analysis and Conclusion:
1. Label the gender on the appropriate skull to the right.
2. Label the appropriate gender on the pubis bones below.
3. Which of the 2 pictures below is older, A or B? _____ Estimate which stage (1-4) they are in
by looking at the epiphysis and write it below the picture.
A
B
4. How tall are you? Calculate the length of your femur by solving for “length of femur”. Be
sure to show the formula and your work. (Hint: convert your height into cm to start…)
1 in = _______ cm
5. Katelyn Welch was 5’7”. Assuming we only have the evidence from question #14, does the
data from this lab seem to support that it was, in fact, her body that was exhumed? Explain.