Forensic Anthropology: Key Concepts, Bones, and Identification Techniques

What significant event in forensic anthropology occurred in 1932?

The FBI opened the first crime lab.

How did the Smithsonian Institute contribute to forensic anthropology?

They began working with the FBI on identifying human remains.

What role do anthropologists play in solving crimes?

They investigate human remains to provide information for law enforcement.

What are the four key aspects we want to know about a skeleton?

Age, sex, ancestry, and stature.

Which bones are most useful for developing a profile of a person?

The skull, pelvis, and long bones.

What does 'disturbed soil' indicate in forensic investigations?

It may indicate the presence of a buried body.

What is the purpose of a CT scan in forensic anthropology?

To create detailed images of the bones and identify features without physical dissection.

What information can a mass spectrometer provide in forensic analysis?

It can analyze chemical composition and identify substances in the remains.

What is the significance of careful labeling while packaging bones?

It ensures proper identification and maintains the integrity of the evidence.

What are the five functions of bones?

Support, protection, movement, mineral storage, and hematopoiesis.

What are the two types of bone tissue?

Compact bone and cancellous (spongy) bone.

What are long bones and give an example?

Bones with a long axis; for example, the femur.

What are flat bones and give an example?

Broad and thin bones; for example, the sternum.

What are irregular bones and give an example?

Bones with complex shapes; for example, vertebral bones.

What is the total number of bones in the human skeleton?

206 bones.

What is osteobiography?

The study of bones to understand a person's physical life and characteristics.

What are the differences between human and animal bones?

Humans have unique skeletal structures and patterns of osteons compared to animals.

What is the role of cartilage in the skeletal system?

It wraps the ends of bones to prevent them from scraping against each other.

What is the difference between proximal and distal?

Proximal means closer to the point of attachment; distal means farther away.

What does 'superior' refer to in anatomical terms?

It refers to a position toward the head.

What does 'inferior' refer to in anatomical terms?

It refers to a position toward the feet.

What does 'supine' mean?

Lying on the back-side.

What does 'prone' mean?

Lying on the belly-side.

What is the significance of the hyoid bone?

It supports the tongue and is crucial for speech.

What is the primary function of bones in forensic anthropology?

To provide information about an individual's age, sex, race, stature, and health.

What is the difference between a ligament and a tendon?

Ligaments connect bone to bone, while tendons connect bone to muscle.

Which bones are commonly analyzed for sex determination?

The pelvis and skull.

What feature of the female pelvis aids in childbirth?

A wider subpubic angle and a broader pelvic inlet.

How can the age of a skeleton be approximated?

By examining the growth of long bones and the fusion of epiphyses.

What happens to the sutures of the skull as a person ages?

They fuse and ossify, with specific sutures closing at different ages.

What is prognathism?

When the lower and upper jaw are not aligned.

How can height be estimated from skeletal remains?

By measuring the length of long bones.

What is the significance of the hyoid bone in skeletal trauma analysis?

If broken, it is a strong indication of strangulation.

What type of DNA is primarily found in bones?

Mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited from the mother.

What can the analysis of skeletal trauma reveal?

Whether damage occurred before or after death and the type of trauma.

What is the role of facial reconstruction in forensic anthropology?

To rebuild a face from skeletal remains using facial markers and contouring.

What is the approximate number of bones in a newborn's skeleton?

Over 300 bones.

At what age does the number of bones in the human skeleton typically reduce to 206?

By adulthood, as some bones fuse together.

What skeletal feature is used to determine ancestry?

The shape of the eye sockets, nasal spine presence, and facial measurements.

What is the significance of the epiphyseal line in determining age?

It indicates where cartilage has been replaced by bone, marking growth completion.

What are the characteristics of a male skull compared to a female skull?

The male skull is generally more robust, with a lower and more sloping frontal bone.

What can be inferred from the condition of bones?

It can provide insights into a person's health and nutrition during their life.

What is the typical age range for epiphyseal fusion to be complete?

Typically complete by age 25.

How does ancestry affect skeletal features?

Different ancestral backgrounds can lead to variations in skull and bone structure.

What is the purpose of comparing mitochondrial DNA with living relatives?

To help identify skeletal remains through maternal lineage.

What is the role of forensic odontology in age determination?

It analyzes the eruption patterns of teeth to estimate age in younger individuals.

What is a common method for determining sex from the skull?

Observing the smoothness of the skull and the shape of the eye orbits.

What are the indicators of postmortem interval (PMI)?

Analysis of skeletal injuries and condition can help estimate the time of death.

What is the significance of the sciatic notch in sex determination?

A wider sciatic notch is typically found in female pelvises.

What can the analysis of facial reconstruction help with?

It can assist in identifying missing persons or criminals.

compact bone

dense and looks smooth & homogenous

cancellous (spongy) bone

good deal of open space (looks spongy)

Support function of bones

contribute to shape, alignment, and position of body

protection function of bones

Protect the organs/body: skull=brain, ribs=heart & lungs

movement: function of bones

muscles anchored to bones which act like levers

mineral storage; function of bones

reservoir for calcium, phosphorus & others. Calcium moves in and out of ‘bones’ to keep blood levels steady.

Hematopoiesis: function of bones

blood cell formation

how to slow detoriation after age 30?

exercise

Biological: thigh bone

male femur thicker and joins at pelvis at a straighter angle than female femur

epiphysis line

appears where cartilage is replaced by bone. When cartilage is fully replaced, line no longer visible. Can approx age!

Nasal index of a caucasian?

less than .48

nasal spine of caucasian?

prominent spine

caucasian ancestry of nasal siling/guttering

sharp ridge (silling)

prognathism in caucasian

striaghtsha

pe of orbital openings in caucasians

rounded/somewhat square

asian nasal index

.48-.53

nasal spine in asian ancestry

somewhat prominent spine

nasal siling/guttering

rounded ridgep

prognathism Asian

variable

shape of orbital openings

rounded somewhat circular

african nasal index

greater than .53

african nasal spine

very small spine

african nasal siling/guttering

no ridge

prognathism

prognathic

shape of orbital openings

rectangular/square

History: 1800s

scientists began studying skulls

History; 1932

FBI opened the first crime lab. Smithsonian institute began working with FBI

History; WWIIHistory:

Soldiers identified using anthropological and osteological technology.

How do forensics narrow down areas to investigate aerially?

aerial photography, satellite mapping anomalies, survey patterns previous bodies have been buried.

techniques and tools to find a body?

remote-sensing, geophyiscal, physical search and archaelogical methods

X-ray

identify bone disease, fractures, trauma, and medical devices

Scanning electron microscope

analyzes trace evidence or tool marks on bone

DNA analysis

provides positive identification using a genetic profile

Process of preserving bones?

1. Inventory bones as they’re removed

2. Bone should be wrapped in brown wrapping/butcher paper/newspaper on an individual basis.