Forensics SG
Flashcards for Forensic Anthropology and Odontology Study Guide
Q: What is Forensic Anthropology?
A: The application of knowledge and techniques of human skeletal biology to medico-legal issues, focusing mainly on skeletal remains.
Q: What are the two main aims of forensic anthropology?
A:
Assist in the identification of human remains.
Interpret what happened to them.
Q: Why is identifying human remains important?
A:
Vital for the grieving process and providing closure.
Needed for death certificates.
Used in criminal investigations.
Q: What types of forensic scenarios involve forensic anthropology?
A: Criminal investigations, accidents, mass disasters, war crimes, and genocides.
Q: How is an individual's identity established in forensic anthropology?
A: By matching ante-mortem and post-mortem data.
Q: What is included in a biological profile?
A:
Sex
Ancestry
Stature
Age
Q: How many bones are in the human skeleton, and what are its four main functions?
A: 206 bones; functions include support, motion, protection, and growth.
Q: What are the two types of bone growth?
A:
Intramembranous ossification: Bone develops directly from mesenchymal tissue.
Endochondral ossification: Bone replaces hyaline cartilage.
Sex Determination
Q: How can the pelvis be used to determine sex?
A:
Greater sciatic notch: Wider in females.
Ventral arc: Present in females.
Sub-pubic concavity: More pronounced in females.
Medial ischiopubic ramus: Thinner in females.
Q: How do male and female pelves differ?
A:
Male: Narrow, heavier, heart-shaped inlet, subpubic angle <90°.
Female: Wide, lighter, oval-shaped inlet, subpubic angle >90°.
Q: What are key cranial traits for sex determination?
A:
Male: Larger mastoid process, pronounced brow ridges, square orbits, robust mandible, sloped forehead.
Female: Smaller mastoid process, minimal brow ridges, round orbits, gracile mandible, vertical forehead.
Q: How does femoral head size differ between sexes?
A:
Male: >48 mm
Female: <43 mm
Age Estimation
Q: What methods are used for estimating age in subadults?
A:
Ossification centers.
Dental development (eruption/root formation).
Epiphyseal union (completed by early 20s).
Bone dimensions (using age charts).
Q: What methods are used for estimating age in adults?
A:
Lamendin’s Method: Dental root translucency and periodontosis.
Sternal rib ends: Surface texture and pit depth.
Auricular surface: Granularity and porosity.
Pubic symphysis: Surface morphology changes.
Bone histology: Osteon counts.
Ancestry
Q: What cranial features are used to estimate ancestry?
A:
Nasal aperture: Wide in African descent, narrow in European, intermediate in Asian.
Orbit shape: Square in African, round in European, rectangular in Asian.
Shovel-shaped incisors: Common in Asian and Native American populations.
Stature
Q: How is stature estimated in forensic anthropology?
A: By using regression formulas based on the lengths of long bones (e.g., femur, tibia).
Pathology
Q: What indicators can suggest pathology in skeletal remains?
A: Evidence of healed fractures, infection, or disease-related changes.
Cause and Manner of Death
Q: What are the four manners of death?
A:
Homicide
Suicide
Accidental
Natural
Q: How can trauma indicate the cause of death?
A: By analyzing fractures, tool marks, or other signs of injury.
Q: How are the timing of injuries classified?
A:
Ante-mortem: Signs of healing or bone remodeling.
Peri-mortem: Fresh breaks, no healing.
Post-mortem: Dry breaks, discoloration, weathering.
Forensic Odontology
Q: How is forensic odontology used for identification?
A: By matching dental restorations, bite marks, and anomalies with antemortem records.
Q: What is Lamendin’s method used for?
A: Estimating age at death using root translucency and periodontosis.
Facial Reconstruction
Q: What are the steps in facial reconstruction?
A:
Create a 3D skull model.
Add tissue depth markers.
Sculpt muscles and skin layers.
Finalize with forensic art or imaging.