Missing Persons Report #77
Mason Clark, Max Smith, Jasmyne Post, Cassie Blandford, and Abbie Stallings
Introduction and Case Description
On a cool early morning in Anytown, USA, a young couple came across a human skull near a water
fountain they had stopped at to drink. Soon after they quickly alerted the authorities. Police arrived at
the crime scene, and began to examine the area. They unearthed three skeletons lying side by side. The
police quickly came to realize that with the large backlog of missing person cases, they would need help.
Police turned to the Forensic Anthropology department to help identify key features of these skeletons
that would give investigators solid information to help identify them as one of the missing persons. By
examining the Skulls, Pelvises, Tibias, and Humeri of the victims, one may be able to determine Sex,
Race, Gender, and Height of the victims.
Summary of Findings
Our analysis of the 4 bones that were found estimate that the remains came from a black female
between the ages of 25 and 30 and between the heights of 5’1” and 5’7”. This is based on the
measurements of the recovered skull, pelvis, tibia, and humerus. The determination of the gender is
based on many factors, the biggest of which is the pelvic cavity being circular and wide, and the sacrum
being absent from view, which signifies a female pelvis. Also, the measurements of the tibia and
humerus fall perfectly within the normal ranges for a female. The determination of the race is based
upon measurements of the nasal index and other features of the skull. The nasal index falls within the
range of a black human, as do the majority of other factors, such as prognathism. Next, the
determination of the height of the person whose remains were found was calculated by using the
average formula for a black female, getting a result of a range from 5’1” to 5’7”. Finally, the age was
determined by using a series of yes/no questions, which were all answered positively. This means that
because of the data collected from the pelvis, our victim is at least 25-30 years of age.
Further Analysis
How Can Facial Recognition Be Used in this Case?
Although it is usually regarded as a last result in forensic investigations, a facial reconstruction may be
beneficial in this case as a means to identify the remains. The investigators could make a plaster mold of
the recovered skull and submit it along with the information already discovered (age, race, sex, etc.) to a
facial reconstruction specialist. The specialists would observe that she was of negroid origin and use that
information to determine the amount of soft tissue to be distributed on the model. They would then
mold the clay around the skull, carefully observing the anatomical sites of the head and attempt to
create a model of what the face of the victim would’ve looked like. After photographing the finished
model they would submit the photo to local media in attempt to find someone who would recognize the
victim and come forth with some information as to their name. (Phillips, V. (2000, July 24). Skeletal
Remains Identification by Facial Reconstruction. Retrieved September 2, 2014. )
Two Other Tests/ Types of Analysis that are Performed Using Bones
Technology proves to be a great resource when attempting to identify a victim’s remains. One way
forensic anthropologists make use of technology is through Computerized 3D Facial Mapping. This
process consists of a skull being rotated whilst a laser creates a 3D image of the skull. A specialist then
selects preloaded computer tomography scans of living people based on their similarity to the victim
and uses that information to digitally place muscle, fat, and skin over a skull in attempt to recreate a
face. Then, like in traditional facial reconstruction, the image created is submitted to the media in hopes
to identify the victim. These technology based tests are preferred to traditional methods because if a
mistake is made the test can be repeated without harm to the evidence. (Forensic Anthropology. (2005,
January 1). Retrieved September 2, 2014, from http://forensicsciencecentral.co.uk/anthropology.shtml)
Forensic Anthropologists may also be able to identify a person’s occupation through examination of
their bones. They examine the skull for distinctive marks and formations that are telltale signs of an
occupation. For example, a carpenter or roofer’s teeth may be chipped in the front from where they
held their nails. Other signs that anthropologists may look for are signs that teeth and jaws have been
affected by instruments. Also, an anthropologist might find it useful to know which hand a victim used
as dominant. They do this by examining the severity of ridges left on the hand from muscle attachments
and determining which hand was most likely dominant. Although it may seem futile to know what a
person did for a living and which hand they used, it could be the deciding factor in identifying a victim.
(Forensic Anthropology. (n.d.). Retrieved September 2, 2014, from http://www.forensicmedecine.info/forensic-anthropology.html)
Conclusion and Recommendations
According to the evidence the team of Forensic Anthropologists provided, the analysis of the second set
of bones supported the notion that our individual was a black female, between the ages of 25 and 30,
and had a height of 5’1 to 5”7. These measurements were gathered through careful and detailed
examination of the 4 bones (Pelvis, Tibia, Humerus, and Skull) that were present at the crime scene. It is
unlikely that human error played a role in these results, as a team of 5 persons analyzed the bones.
Although this information is a large step forward in correctly identifying which missing person this is,
further analysis must be done. Further steps to take in this case that could be useful could be Facial
Reconstruction and Occupational Examination. Facial Reconstruction is used as a last resort, where they
use computer technology to estimate what a person will look like when soft tissue is added to the
bones. This is only used as a last result and can be unreliable. Occupational Examination is where
Forensic Anthropologists will look at bones for telltale signs of an occupation, such as a carpenter’s
chipped tooth. This report will be updated as pending information becomes available.
DNA ANALYSIS
According to the gel electrophoresis results, missing person two matches up with the enzyme found in
our bones. As shown in the gel, column C lines up with column G. This proves that the skeleton in the
park is missing person two. This proves it because the restriction enzymes cut the skeleton’s DNA at the
same nucleotides pairs with both enzymes 1 and 2. It wouldn’t be missing person 1 because while it cuts
the same with enzyme 1, it does not cut at the same pairs with enzyme 2.
Conclusion
Based on the results of our Gel Electrophoresis, the missing person was person 2. You can visibly
see this on the gel because the skeleton’s DNA matches the results of person 2 with both of the
enzymes.