Unit 4: Forensic Anthropology, Odontology, Entomology, Pathology

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### Most reliable bone for sex determination?

Pelvis is the best bone for sex determination (differences due to adaptations to childbirth).

### Most reliable bone for Race determination?

Race determination is the skull!

### Most reliable bone for age?

Age determination is Ages 0-5: teeth are best, Ages 6-25: epiphyseal fusion, Ages 40+: basically wear and tear on bones.

European skulls

European skulls have round orbital openings, prominent nasal spine and straight prognathism.

Asian skulls

Asian skulls have rounded, circular orbital openings, somewhat prominent nasal spine and variable prognathism.

African skulls

African skulls have rectangular or square orbital openings, very small nasal spine and prognathic prognathism.

Rigor Mortis

The rigidity of skeletal muscles after death

Livor Mortis

settling of blood, resulting in red/ purple colour pattern (“colour of death”)

Algor Mortis

cooling rate of the body after death (“Chill of Death”)

### Bitemark analysis→ drawbacks?

There are no guarantees that the same bite mark evidence would be interpreted in the same way by two or more forensic dentists. Skin can change the bite mark and can also heal from bitemarks as well.

### Features of bitemark analysis

The first characteristics considered are the arch size and shape.

### Rate of decomposition→ what factors affect rate? Body size? Water? Buried? Ambient temp?

Oviposition (egg laying) will not occur at night, in the rain, or if temperatures and environmental conditions are not suitable

• Feeding maggot masses can have temperatures of 3 ˚ C to 12 ˚C higher than the ambient temperature, which can speed up development

• Clothed or wrapped?

• Was the body buried?

• Was the body inaccessible to insects, thus delaying insect colonization?

• In what environment was the victim found? • Sun, shade, or wind?

• Was the body found at night or during the daytime?

### First incests to reach body?

Blowflies

### What factors do entomologists look at? Stage development, temp….

4 factors must be taken into account

• Oldest stage of blowfly associated with the body

• Look at old pupal cases

• Species of insects

• Each species develop at different rates so each species of insect at the scene need to be collected

• Temperature data

• Must be able to determine the temperature of crime scene for a period of time

• Developmental data

• Must know how fast or how slow the specific species develop

### Significance of body temp in an investigation? Fly larvae? A skull? Describe….

Insects that feed on the body of individuals that have been poisoned can be examined to determine what type of drug or toxin the person was poisoned with

• It is important to note that specific drugs either speed up or slow down larval development.

Fly larvae can help determine PMI (Post mortem interval) and the stage of decomposition.

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A skull can help determine the race and sex of the dead person

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Body temperature can help us by determining the time of death