flashcards FA

Anthropology

The study of human remains and the law.

Cultural Anthropology

The study of human cultural differences.

Linguistics

The study of humans with languages.

Archaeology

The study of humans through remains.

Physical/Biological Anthropology

A subdiscipline of anthropology focusing on biological aspects of humans.

Forensic Anthropologist

A biological anthropologist who specializes in the analysis of human remains in a legal context.

Demographic Information

Estimations made about the biological profile from skeletonized remains.

Trauma Assessment

Evaluating trauma and its causes, including pathology.

Time Since Death

Estimating the duration since a person's death.

Medicolegal Significance

The relevance of remains to legal investigations, typically within the past 50 years.

Thomas Dwight

Known as the father of forensic anthropology, he studied human skeletons to estimate age, sex, and stature.

Parkman Murder

A case in 1849 where a dismembered body was reassembled to estimate stature and age.

Leutgert Case

A 1897 case where small bone fragments were identified as human.

Ruxton Case

A 1937 case involving the reassembly of dismembered bodies using photographic comparison.

Consolidation Period

The time from 1939-1971 when forensic anthropology gained recognition.

Modern Period

The era from 1972 to present, marked by the establishment of professional organizations in forensic anthropology.

Medicolegal Community

A network of professionals, including medical examiners and forensic pathologists, involved in legal investigations.

Frye v

A 1923 case establishing the standard for admissibility of expert testimony based on scientific evidence.

Daubert Standards

Criteria for admissibility of expert testimony, including testability and peer review.

Data Gathering Methods

Techniques used in forensic anthropology, such as anthroposcopy and osteometry.

Osteology

The study of bones.

Odontology

The study of teeth.

Bone Anatomy

The structure and organization of bones, including diaphysis, metaphysis, and epiphysis.

Joints

Connections between bones that are important for understanding movement and pathology.

Cranial Skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the skull and brain.

Sutures

Immovable joints in the skull that can help estimate age at death.

Sinuses

Air pockets in cranial bones that can aid in positive identification.

Vertebral Column

The spine, consisting of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae.

Pelvic Girdle

The structure formed by the os coxae, sacrum, and coccyx.

Teeth

Structures used for biting and chewing, with specific anatomy including crown, neck, and roots.

Forensic Significance

The relevance of remains to forensic investigations, determined by factors like preservation and burial conditions.

Body Modification

Changes made to the body, such as cranial modification or prosthetics, that can aid in identification.

Burial Enclosure

The context of how remains are interred, which can indicate the cause of death.

Complications in Forensic Anthropology

Challenges faced when distinguishing legitimate burials from forensic cases.