Forensic Anthropology Southern Boone County HS Forensics Bill

Forensic Anthropology Southern Boone County HS Forensics Bill Palmer Bones are our last and best witness; they never lie and they never forget.

Definition n n Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal process. Forensic anthropologists apply standard scientific techniques developed in physical anthropology to identify human remains, and to assist in the detection of crime.

What can bones tell us? n n n n Human or nonhuman Age Gender Stature History of trauma or disease Evidence for cause and manner of death Handedness & type of occupation Racial determination not reliable

Intact vs. disarticulated (In which case is identification easier? )

Intact vs. disarticulated (In which case is identification easier? ) Intact is easier but not likely to be found by a forensic anthropologist.

Excavated remains Typical skeleton found at a crime scene.

Posterior view Scapulae not always noticed in front view

Do you see the scapulae here?

Male and female skull

Chimpanzee

Neanderthal Skull

Trephined cranium from Peru

Bones of Human Skull

Bones of Human Skull

Traditional facial reconstruction Forensic Anthropologist can reconstruct a face from skeletal remains.

Computer-aided facial reconstruction Computer programs can also reconstruct facial features from a skull.

Bones of the skull 1. Parietal Bone 2. Coronal Suture 3. Frontal Bone 4. Nasal Bone 5. Vomer 6. Lacrimal Bone 7. Orbital Part of Ethmoid 8. Zygomatic Bone 9. Maxilla 10. Body of Mandible 11. Ramus of Mandible 12. Coronoid Process 13. Mandibular Condyle 14. Mental Foramen 15. Styloid Process 16. External Acoustic Meatus 17. Mastoid Process 18. Zygomatic Process 19. Temporal Bone 20. Greater Wing of Sphenoid 21. Inferior Temporal Line 22. Superior Temporal Line 23. Squamosal Suture 24. Lambdoidal Suture 25. Occipital Bone

Bones of the Human You should know the names of the bones of the human skeleton.

Bones of the Human male vs. female The female pelvis has a larger opening than the male-for child bearing.

Bones of the Human male vs. female The male pelvis is “cup-like and the female pelvis is like a “dishpan. ” Also, the male pubic arch is like a “V” and the female is like a “U. ”

Bones of the Human male vs. female The slope of the forehead of the female is different than the male. The female has a “rounded” shape and the male is more of a slope.

Bones of the Human male vs. female

Bones of the Human male vs. female

Bones of the Human male vs. female

Bones of the Human Race Determination

Bones of the Human Race Determination Orbital openings: round Nasal spine: Prominent Progathism: straight

Bones of the Human Race Determination

Bones of the Human Race Determination

Bones of the Human Age Determination Occupational stress wears bones at joints

Bones of the Human Age Determination Surgeries or healed wounds aid in identification

Bones of the Human Age Determination Teeth can help determine age of a skeleton.

Bones of the Human Other Information Evidence of trauma (here GSW to the head)

Bones of the Human Other Information • Evidence of post mortem trauma (here the head of the femur was chewed off by a carnivore)

Bones of the Human Use your knowledge of Forensic Anthropology to tell something about each of the following slides.