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Forensic Anthropology

A division of science that seeks to identify human skeletal remains.

Biological Profile

A summary of a person's identity based on remains, including sex, age, height, and ethnic origin.

Osteology

The study of bones.

Number of Bones in an Adult

Approximately 206 bones.

Number of Bones in a Baby

Approximately 270-300 bones.

Function of Bones

Provide framework for the body, protect internal organs, and produce blood cells.

Bone Composition

Contains protein (collagen), calcium, and phosphate.

Ossification

The process where cartilage is replaced by bone, causing bones to increase in length.

Age 30

The age after which bones lose minerals and break down faster than they are built.

Epiphyseal Plate (Growth Plate)

The area of cartilage at the end of long bones where growth occurs until it is fully ossified.

Forensic Odontology

The application of dental science to legal investigations.

Facial Reconstruction

The process of recreating a person's face from skeletal remains.

Sutures

Joints between skull bones that close at specific ages (e.g., back of skull by age 30, top by age 32, front by age 60).

Mandible

The lower jaw bone.

Maxilla

The upper jaw bone.

Zygomatic Bone

Commonly known as the cheek bone.

Frontal Bone

The bone forming the forehead.

Occipital Bone

The bone at the back and base of the skull.

Female Pelvis Characteristics

Subpubic angle > 90°, wide ilium, oval-shaped pelvic cavity, shorter/curved outward coccyx.

Male Pelvis Characteristics

Subpubic angle < 90°, narrow ilium, heart-shaped pelvic cavity, longer/curved inward coccyx.

Male Skull Characteristics

U-shaped mandible, square eye orbitals, blunt/flat eye orbit margins, prominent brow ridge.

Female Skull Characteristics

V-shaped mandible, round eye orbitals, sharp eye orbit margins, smooth nuchal crest.

European Ancestry Traits

Circular eye sockets with squared margins, narrow/high nasal aperture, small teeth set closely together.

Asian Ancestry Traits

Circular eye sockets, heart-shaped nasal aperture, shovel-shaped upper incisors.

African Ancestry Traits

Rectangular eye sockets, wide nasal aperture, large teeth with wider spacing.