Anthropology The cultural and physical study of humans across all geographical areas over time Forensic Anthropology Forensic Anthropology the application of anthropology to legal matters What Does a Forensic ID: 914519
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Forensic Anthropology What is Anthropolo..." is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Forensic Anthropology
Slide2What is Anthropology and Forensic Anthropology?
Anthropology: The cultural and physical study of humans across all geographical areas over time
Slide3Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Anthropology: the application of anthropology to legal matters
Slide4What Does a Forensic
A
nthropologist
Do?
Forensic anthropologists research and apply techniques to determine the age at death, gender, race, stature, abnormalities and “quirks”
of
skeletal remains
Slide5The Process
Forensic Anthropologists take an “inventory” of all bones present
When inventory is taken, specific bone names are used.
For Ex.:
NOT cranium ; left parietal
Slide6Slide73.
After inventory is complete, conclusions are made in regards to age, gender, size/stature, time of death
, and method
of death
Slide8What Differences Do Forensic Anthropologists Look For to Identify Gender?
Size and shape
of bone structures are used in determining the
gender and sometimes race
of the skeleton
Slide9Slide10Male
Female
General size
Large
Small
Architecture
Rugged
Smooth
Supraorbital margin
Rounded
Sharp
Mastoid process
Large
Small
Occipital bone
Muscle lines and protuberance marked
Muscle lines not marked
Glabella
Bony
Flat
Gonial Angle
Squared
Wide angle
Palate
Larger, broader, tends to be U-shaped
Small, tends to be a parabola
Occipital condyles
Large
Small
Slide11What Differences Do Forensic Anthropologists Look For to Identify Age?
The best tool for identifying the age of a younger person is looking at the teeth and the jaw
(when possible)
Looking at sutures are also helpful
Sutures: zigzag seams where the bones of the skull meet
Slide12Slide13What Differences Do Forensic Anthropologists Look For to Identify Stature?
Stature or build is determined by using an equation involving the measurements of “long bones”
Long bones include:
humeri
, ulnae, tibias and fibulae, and femurs
Slide14An
osteometric
board is used to determine weight
T
his can also be used in race determination
Slide15Weight: Lighter people typically have narrower bones
Race: People of African descent have more dense bones than those of European descent
Slide16Estimating Time of Death
Many factors come into play when determining TOD as well as the condition of the bones including rate of decay, weather, animal scattering, and if the body is buried or not
Slide17Types of fabrics may also help in determining TOD
Material
Length of Time in Good Condition (in months)
Rayon
1-2 if buried
5 on surface
Paper
1 in alk or fresh water
5 on surface/in acid*
Cotton/Wool
6 in alk or fresh water
10 to 15 on surface/in acid
Human Hair
10 to 15 if buried
wind blows it away on surface
Cotton/Poly
15 on surface
25 to 35 if buried
Other Plastics/Leather
15 to 35 on surface
>48 if buried
Slide18If buried: body will be completely
skeletalized
in 1-2 years (may become mummified in dry regions)
If on the surface: Completely
skeletalized
within 8 months
Slide19TOD estimates based on environmental factors are from research in Tennessee as follows:
3 weeks -- articulated bones
5 weeks -- some scatter, some articulated
4 months -- disarticulated, within 10' circle
7 to 8 months -- most bones w/in 10' circle and all w/in 20'
1 year -- small bones missing, complete disarticulation
2 to 4 years -- some bones broken,
scattered
40', some large bones missing
12+ years -- bone rot; partial burial*
15 to 20 years -- no surface evidence
* partial burial from leaves, storms, erosion from shallow burial
Slide20Determining Manner of Death
5 Possible Manners of Death: Homicide, suicide, accidental, natural and unknown
Use of x-rays help to determine if an injury was old and healed or if it lead to/was a part of death
Old injuries will show signs of healing
Metal objects, such as lead from bullets, will show up as bright white on x-rays
Slide21Other Characteristics
Righty or Lefty/Hand dominance
Runner or other kind of athlete
Bone diseases
And many more!
Slide22Videos
Dr. Tanya
Peckmann
: Forensic Anthropologist – YouTube
Power of the Bones - YouTube
Slide23