Forensic Anth Midterm

Cortical Bone

Outer layer of bone that provides strength and protection and is composed of dense, compact tissue. Also referred to as Compact Bone

Trabecular Bone

Inner spongy layer of bone that has a porous structure, providing support and helping to reduce weight while maintaining strength.

Sliding Calipers

A measuring tool used to measure internal and external dimensions as well as depths. EX. Small Bone

Spreading Calipers

A measuring tool used to determine the distance between two points or the width of an object. Ex: Skull

Otseometric Board

A specialized tool used to measure the linear dimensions of a long bone accurately. Ex: Tibia

Algor Mortis

The body cools after death until it reaches ambient temperature (various fluids sink to the bottom) note: Temperature

Liver Mortis

Blood pools where it it drawn down by gravity, coagulates and stays where it is deposition note: Liver Color

Rigor Mortis

muscle stiffening caused by the binding together of muscle fibers

What are the stages of decay?

1. Fresh

2. Bloat

3. Active Decay

4. Advanced Decay

5. Dry/Skeletal

Fresh

flies are attracted to the body; egg masses appear in orifices and in open wounds, skin may show marble appearance, and fluids may be present

Bloat

maggots hatch onto skin around the eyes + nose may be missing. Skin slippage/degloving, change in color (green), strong smell, gases produced

Active Decay

bloating has subsided and remains are beginning to show signs of desiccation (drying out)

Advanced Decay

skeletonized, no smell, no grease on bones, gnawing of rodents/carnivores

Dry/ Skeletal

bone surfaces breakdown and have an exfoliated appearance; longitudinal cracks occur and external cortex may flake away.

Adipocere

a grayish-white, waxy substance formed by the decomposition of body fat in moist, low oxygen environments

Bog Bodies

naturally mummified human remains preserved in peat bogs

Medicolegal significance

Is it bone?

Is it human?

Is it contemporary or not?

refers to the legal value or implications of medical facts, findings, and evidence

Taphonomy

the study of everything that happens to biological organisms from the time of death to the time of discovery

Biological Profile

Sex, age, ancestry, stature (height)

Comparative morphology related to MLS

the scientific study and comparison of the form and structure of biological remains to determine their origin and identity ex: bear hand

Forensic Entomology

the study of insects and their life cycles to provide evidence for legal investigations.

Carnivore tooth marks

scavenging a body, punctures, ex: long bones, possible chunks missing

Rodent tooth marks

gnawing, scratching, striations

Bears

Massive, irregular, oval-shaped holes. Key Signature: "Scooping" and heavy cortical collapse, the bone looks crushed rather than just bitten.

Carnivores

Uniform, circular, or triangular holes with "cleaner" edges.Key Signature: "Hole-and-a-tear,"circular punctures often followed by deep, narrow furrows (grooves) along the bone shaft.

Daubert change to criteria

the rule used by federal judges to decide if an expert witness's testimony is reliable enough to be used in court.

What bone is this?

Vertebrae

What bone is this?

Humorous

What bone is this?

Ulna

What bone is this?

radius

What bone is this?

Femur

What bone is this?

Tibia

What bone is this?

Fibula

What bone is this?

Patella

What bone is this?

Parietal

What bone is this?

Temporal

What bone is this?

Frontal

What bone is this?

Occipital

What bone is this?

Maxilla

What bone is this?

Sacrum

Is this human?

No

Is this human?

No

Is this human?

Yes

Is this human?

Yes

Is this human?

No

What bone is this?

Clavicle