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Bones are the framework of the vertebrate
body and thus contain much information
about man's adaptive mechanisms to his
environment. The study of evolution
essentially would be impossible if bones
were eliminated as a source of data. In
summary, the answer is that bones often
survive the process of decay and provide the
main evidence for the human form after
death. Skeletal evidence also has the
potential to provide information on
prehistoric customs and diseases.
From: "Human Osteology - A laboratory and Field
Manual" 3rd Edition, 1987
http://medstat.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/
Chapter 18
Forensic Anthropology
“Anthropology is the study of
humankind, culturally and physically, in
all times and places.”
Forensic Anthropology:
-is the application of anthropological
knowledge and techniques in a legal context.
-This involves detailed knowledge of osteology
(skeletal anatomy and biology) to aid in the
identification and cause of death of skeletal
remains, as well as the recovery of remains
using archaeological techniques.
Used to: ????
Forensic Anthropology:
Used to:
1. first determine if the remains are in fact human.
2. determine the gender
3. approximate age
physical stature
4. likely racial affiliation
5. approximate time since death,
6. likely cause of death
7. illnesses or wounds suffered in life.
8. Taphonomy, study of decay
This information can then be used to help identify the
remains.
http://medstat.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/
In humans, locomotion involves
the interaction of:
1. Bones
2. Cartilage
3. Muscles
4. Tendons
5. Ligaments
The Skeletal system
Skull
Axial
Skeleton
Clavicle
Sternum
Ribs
Vertebral
column
Scapula
Humerus
Radius
Pelvis
Ulna
Carpals
Metacarpals
Phalanges
Femur
Patella
Fibula
Tibia
Tarsals
Metatarsals
Phalanges
Appendicular
Skeleton
Why study
bones?
1. They constitute the evidence for the study of
fossil man.
2. They are the basis of racial classification in
prehistory.
3. They are the means of biological comparison of
prehistoric peoples with the present living
descendents.
4. They bear witness to burial patterns and thus
give evidence for the culture and world view of
the people studied.
5. They form the major source of information on
ancient diseases and often give clues as to the
causes of death.
6. Their identification often helps solve forensic
cases.
Objective: You will be able to discuss the impacts
each scientist had on developing the field of
forensics.
Do Now:
• Read p. 2-3 (history and development of forensic
science).
• List the names of former forensic scientists on p.
3. Leave space between each.
1a. Sex Determination
Male pelvis from female:
1. spread of ilium: female more flared
and cradle-like with anterior iliac
spines farther apart vs. more straight
“up-and-down” in male
2. shape of hole in ischium: smaller
and triangular in female vs. larger
and rounded in male Shape of the
Obturator Foramen,
3. angle across pubic symphysis =
pubic arch: less than 90° (acute
angle) and more sharply angled in
male, greater than 90° (obtuse
angle) and more rounded in female
4. inner diameter and distance between
ischia larger in female--big enough
for head of baby to pass through
Obturator Foramen
Female
Male
Female
Male
Objective: You will be able to explain how bones
can help determine age and sex.
Do Now:
• Read p. 18-19 (Forensic anthropology)
• Give all the information that a forensic
anthropologists can infer from analyzing bones
1b. Age Determination
1.
2.
3.
4.
Skull - gross
Deciduous dentition
Long bone ossification
Subadult vertebra
The Calvarium
• The calvaria (or calva, skullcap) is the
upper part of the cranium and surrounds the
cranial cavity containing the brain. It is
formed by the following bones:
• frontal bone
• parietal bones (two)
• temporal bones (two)
• occipital bone
The Calvarium
• 1 = coronal suture
• 2 = sagittal suture
• 3 = lambdoid suture
0-5 years
Calvarium
Development
Aged 31 weeks, 32 weeks, and 40 weeks
• Notice, apart from the difference in size, how the
fontanels (the soft spots that ultimately become the
sutures, or fixed joints between the bones in the
skull) change over time, gradually becoming
smaller.
Take the following two images, and try to figure out the
approximate age of the bottom image
If you had a hard time, perhaps it is due to the
fact that the 2nd image was of . . . a
chimpanzee skull!
In the same way, bear claws are often
confused with human hands.
Can you tell which is which?:
Dentition 0-5 years
1c. Determination Stature
1d. Identity Determination
1d. Identity Determination
The head of the humerus and
glenoid cavity shown in this
photograph were in complete
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.
2. Race
"...it is clear that race does mean different things
to different people. In the context of forensic
anthropology, the term race is unambiguous."
- Stan Rhine, PhD
Human Biological Variation
American Negroid
American Indian
Caucasoid
2. Race
Skull can be divided into 4 main human races:
Caucasoid
Negroid
Mongoloid
Australoid
Caucasoid further divisible
into
Human Biological
Variation
Northern European (Nordic)
Central European (Alpine)
Southern European (Mediterranean)
American Negroid
American Indian
Caucasoid
http://www.theoryofuniverse.com/man/races/races-skulls.htm
ac.com/wis/Personal/lectures/evolutionary-anatomy/Analysing%20Human%
2.Race Determination
• The metopic suture is generally a Caucasoid trait. This
suture is present in the fetus as the cranial bones are
forming.
European Male
Asian Male
Australian Aborigine Male
African Male
Native American
• These two
mandibles are
compared for
the extent of
ramus
inversion.
• Negroids
exhibit
moderate to
pronounced
inversion in
the area
midway up the
posterior edge
of the ramus.
• Caucasoids
and
Mongoloids
show little or
no inversion.
Caucasian Skull
Negroid skull
3. Pathology
Adult's Wrist and Hand
• The white lines shown at the
end (epiphysis) of the long
bones.
• These areas, called the
epiphyseal lines, form when
the growth plates turn to
bone.
Child's Wrist and Hand
• The clear lines at the end
(epiphysis) of the long
bones.
• These areas, which are
made of cartilage, are the
epiphyseal plates, where
growth occurs.
In an adult hand (i.e., by the early to mid twenties)the growth plate has completely
ossified (turned to bone). At that point, the bones stop growing. On the x-ray,
these epiphyseal lines will appear as white lines in the same location as the plates
were in the child's x-ray
Sternal Defect
Scoliosis
4. Trauma/wounds
Machete Wounds, African Male
Broad Axe Trauma,
Male Spanish Conquistador,
1680 AD
Hammer
Wounds
GSWs, or gun shot wounds, leave
tell-tale signs on the skull:
Large Caliber GSW
Note the fact that the rib
started to grow
around the .22 caliber bullet.
• That's antemoretem!
Reconstruction of the face from
the bones of a skull.
Entrance
Exit
wound
Inward slant is characteristic of
entrance wounds
Arrow pointing to
entrance, the exit
is closest
Close range gunshot leaves
powder burns
Copper stain (b)
5. Taphonomy:from the Greek taphos (death),
• Study of what happens to an organism after its
death and until its discovery as a fossil.
• This includes decomposition, post-mortem
transport, burial, compaction, and other
chemical, biologic, or physical activity which
affects the remains (bones) of the organism
• Adipocere
• Burning
• Carnivore
• Insects
• Natural mummification
• Faunal
5. Taphonomy:
5. Taphonomy: Adipocere
•Bodies deposited in unoxygenated, wet
environments often retain fatty tissues in the
form of Adipocere.
•The hydrolysis of fatty acids produces the
waxy substance which may may leave the
body in a state of preservation for many
decades.
•Organs such as the eyes, brain and
subcutaneous adipose tissue in the face have
decomposed into adipocere in this example.
5. Taphonomy: Carnivore
• This is a full view of the damaged femur.
Notice how the ends seem to be the
preferred part of the bone.
5. Taphonomy: Faunal
• archaeological faunal analysis is
determining the origins of bone.
• This individual was identified when it was found that the
amalgam found in her dental work came from only a
handful of places along east coast.
Dentition: the study of tooth
remains
In an adult human there are 32 teeth.
On each side of upper and lower jaw
(a quadrant) there are 2 incisors, 1
canine, 2 premolars and 2 or 3
molars (depending of wisdom
teeth).
In children there are 20 teeth. The
breakdown is 2 incisors, 1 canine
and 2 molars in each quadrant.
Paleopathology
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Congenital Defects (need content)
Infectious Disease (need content)
Metabolic Defects (need content)
Nutritional Deficiencies (need content)
Artificial Deformation (in progress)
Fractures (in progress)
Blunt and Sharp force injury (in
progress)
8. Markers of Occupational stress (need
content)
FINIS’
• Special thanks to
• http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/forensics/11forensic_anthropology/skeleton_evidence.htm