Forensics Chapter 14 (Finals)

What is the difference between ligaments and tendons?

ligaments: bone to bone

tendons: muscle to bone

What is another name for the cap of a bone? The shaft?

cap: epiphysis

shaft: diaphysis

 Describe Osteoporosis:

bone disease where bone mineral density and bone mass decreases

How many bones do babies have? Adults?

babies: 270

adults: 206

What ages do these sutures close?

1. Lambdoidal: 30

2. Sagittal: 32

3. Coronal: 50

4. Squamosal: after 60

What is the only bone in the skeleton from which an accurate estimation of ancestry can be determined?

skull

What is the difference between the male and female subpubic angle on the pelvis?

females have a wider subpubic angle

 Know the differences between male and females skulls/ be able to point these out on a skeleton:

a. brow ridges

b. frontal bone

c. mastoid process

d. shape of eyes

e. mandible shape

f. Zygomatic process

1. Brow Ridges- thicker and larger (robust); thin and slender (gracile)

2. Frontal Bone- low and sloping; higher and more rounded

3. Mastoid Process- larger; smaller

4. Shape of Eyes- squarer; rounder

5. Mandible shape- squarer; v-shaped

6. Zygomatic Process- extends to or passes ear opening; stops short of ear opening

Which bone is the most reliable to use to determine the sex of the skeleton?

pelvis

Know the differences between male and female pelvis/ be able to point these out on a skeleton:

1. subpubic angle

2. sacrum curve direction

3. shape of pelvic cavity

4. sciatic notch

5. hips/ilium

1. Subpubic angle- less than 90 degrees; more than 90 degrees

2. Sacrum curve direction- inward; outward

3. Shape of pelvic cavity- heart-shaped; flattened oval

4. Sciatic notch- narrow and deep; wide and shallow

5. Hips/ Illium- narrow; wide

List the 4 things scientists use to determine the ancestry of a skull:

• shape of eye sockets

• shape of nasal cavity / absence or presence of nasal spine

• nasal index (ratio of width of nasal opening to the height x 100)

• prognathism (projection of the maxilla or mandible beyond face)

A forensic anthropologist seeks to answer 7 questions. List the questions below:

Is it human?

How many individuals are present?

How long have the remains been there?

Have the remains been altered postmortem?

Has the entire body been recovered?

Who is it?

Are the remains modern or ancient?

 Define Skeletal Trauma Analysis:

the process by which a forensic anthropologist tries to determine whether damage to bones was made during life or after death

European Ancestry Characteristics:

1. Nasal Spine:

2. Zygomatic bones:

3. Prognathism?:

4. Nasal opening shape:

5. Nose shape:

6.  Eye orbits:

1. Nasal Spine: prominent

2. Zygomatic bones: retreating

3. Prognathism?: little to none

4. Nasal opening shape: narrow, teardrop

5. Nose shape: narrow, high-bridged

6.  Eye orbits: round

African Ancestry Characteristics

A, Prognathism?:

 B. Forehead:

 C. Nasal Opening shape:

 D. Nasal Spine:

 E. Eye orbits:

A, Prognathism?: yes

 B. Forehead: rounded

 C. Nasal Opening shape: wide, round

 D. Nasal Spine: small

 E. Eye orbits: square

Asian Ancestry Characteristics:

1. Prognathism?:

2. Zygomatic Bones:

3. Nasal opening shape:

4. Nasal Spine:

5. Eye orbits:

1. Prognathism?: variable

2. Zygomatic Bones: projecting

3. Nasal opening shape: oval

4. Nasal Spine: somewhat prominent

5. Eye orbits: oval