Forensic Anthropology Midterm Study Guide

What is Anthropology

The study of human kind

What are the four subfields of anthropology

Cultural, Archeology, Linguistic, and Biological

What is Biological Anthropology

The study of human evolution and variation

What are some subdisciplines of Biological anthropology

Paleoanthropology
Primatology
Genetics
Human Biology
Osteology
Forensic Anthropology

What is the difference between Bioarcheology and Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Anthropology is only in a modern setting

What is Forensic Anthropology

Method and theory from biological anthropology when used in a court of law

What do Forensic Anthropologists do

Identify human remains in a modern setting

Who are the main protagonists of Cadaver King and Country Dentist

Dr. Steven Hayne and Dr. Micheal West

What is the History of wrongful conviction in Mississippi

Peaked with Dr. Hayne and Dr. West, but has turned around

What is the origin of the Coroner System

Originally Tax collectors for the king in the 11th century

What is the Frye Standard

The standard for admissibility of scientific evidence

What is the Daubert Ruling

A rule of evidence regarding the admissibility of expert witness testimony

What is the difference between Coroner and Medical Examiner Systems

Coroners are elected and do not need a degree

What can Forensic Anthropologists not do

Perform autopsies
Make final determination of cause or manner of death
Make final positive ID from dental radiographs
Determine weight from bones
Display any sort of legal authority

What is the Juvenile methods of sex estimation

Bones of males are longer, more robust, and display more rugged features than those of females

What is the Adult methods of sex estimation

Cranial and Pelvic Morphology

What are the Cranial morphology differences between males and females

Nuchal Crest, Mastoid Process, Supraorbital Margin, Supraorbital ridge, mental eminence

What is the best skeletal element for sex estimation

The Pelvis

What are the Juvenile methods for age estimation

Dental morphology, Diaphyseal length, Epiphyseal union

What are the adult methods for age estimation

Morphological changes of joints, Bone structure, Teeth

What is the difference between biological and chronological age

Biological age is how old your cells are and chronological age is how long you have existed

What are the best methods to estimate the age of children

Dental morphology, Diaphyseal length, Epiphyseal union

What are the Epiphyseal union stages

Nonunion, active union, recent union, complete union

What are the general aging patterns of the Pubic Symphysis

What are the general aging patterns of the Auricular surface

With age, waves smoothen and a rim forms

What are the general aging patterns of the Sternal rib end

From wavy, flat appearance to cupped flared shape to wide and irregular shapes with bony windows

What is the law of supersition

The lower the stratum, the older its age

What are the 4 phases for excavation

Systematic search, Evaluation of area, Context and recovery, Interpretation and reporting

What are the advantages of geophysics

Non-destructive, non-
intrusive, Specialized but fairly easy
to obtain, Rapid coverage of a large
area

What are disadvantages of geophysics

Targets missed if grid is
too large, Expensive, Difficult to use in rough
terrain