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Forensic Anthropology
What We Learn From Bones
Characteristics of Bone
• Bones originate from cells
called osteoblasts.
• Bones begin as soft
cartilage.
• Osteoblasts replace the
cartilage by depositing
minerals in a process
called ossification.
Characteristics of Bone
• An adult has 206 bones but a baby has
over 300 bones!
• Joint - where bones meet
• Cartilage - wraps the end of bones for
protection; keeps bones from scraping
• Ligaments - bands of tissue connecting
two or more bones
• Tendons - connect muscle to bone
What Bones Can Tell Us
• Osteobiography - the story
of a life as told by the bones
• A forensic anthropologist
aids in the identification
and cause of death of
skeletal remains, as well as
the recovery of remains
using archaeological
techniques.
What story does this tell?
Initial Questions:
• Is it bone?
• Is it human?
• What bones are present?
• How many people?
• Are they modern or ancient?
Specific Determinations:
Sex
skull & pelvis
Age
skull (sutures) & teeth
Ancestry
European, Asian, African
(hard to determine)
Stature
long bones (use formula)
Unique Characteristics
disorders, diseases, fractures
Final Questions:
• Who is this individual?
• What happened?
• When did it happen?
How to
determine
sex:
MALE
FEMALE
A
C
How to
determine
age:
B
D
Can you sequence
them youngest to
oldest?
a= 4 months
b = 12
c = 6
d=3
How to Determine Age:
SKULL
•Suture Marks - zigzag marks that are found on
the skull where bones meet.
•These marks slowly disappear as the bones
harden & eventually mature.
Closed at about age 50
Closed at about age 32
Begins closing at age 21
Accelerates at age 26
Closed at about age 30
Can we
determine
ancestry?
Which is African?
Which is Asian?
Which is European?
*Although the concept of race assessment is controversial, certain features of
the skull may be of use in differentiating ancestral groups for forensic purposes.
How to
determine
height: