Forensic Anthropology Defined
Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical
anthropology to the legal process. The identification of skeletal, badly
decomposed, or otherwise unidentified human remains is important for both
legal and humanitarian reasons. Forensic anthropologists apply standard
scientific techniques developed in physical anthropology to identify human
remains, and to assist in the detection of crime. Forensic anthropologists
frequently work in conjunction with forensic pathologists, odontologists, and
homicide investigators to identify a decedent, discover evidence of foul play
and/or the postmortem interval. In addition to assisting in locating and
recovering suspicious remains, forensic anthropologists work to suggest the
age, sex, ancestry, stature, and unique features of a decedent from the
skeleton.
Forensic Anthropology in General
What is Forensic Anthropology?
Anthropology is the study of humankinds, culturally and
physically, in all times and places. Forensic Anthropology is
the application of anthropological knowledge and techniques
in a legal context. This involves detailed knowledge of
osteology (skeletal anatomy and biology) to aid in the
identification and cause of death of skeletal remains, as well
as the recovery of remains using archaeological techniques.
How are Forensic Anthropologists different from
other types of Forensic Scientist?
A Forensic Anthropologist is just one type of Forensic Scientist.
There are many types of Forensic specialists. A Criminalist
examines the physical evidence of a crime. A Forensic
Pathologist is a Medical Doctor who specializes in disease
(pathology is the study of disease), these are the specialists who perform
autopsies. For more detailed information on other types of Forensic science,
see the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Career Brochure:
http://www.aafs.org/employ/brochure1.htm
Working in Forensic Anthropology
What degree do I need to become a Forensic Anthropologist?
A forensic anthropologist usually has a PhD degree in Physical/Biological
Anthropology.
What electives should I take in college?
Of course you will need to take human osteology (skeletal biology) and
various other anthropology courses. Outside of your anthropology courses,
coursework in the fields of chemistry, anatomy, biology, statistics, and
criminology, would all aid in training you to be a forensic anthropologist.
Where should I go to school?
Selecting a graduate program in Forensic Anthropology really comes down
tot deciding what you plan to focus on. Do you want to be an osteologist,
concerned with primarily anthropological issues, or do you want to be a
crime scene investigator or pathologist? It is best if you know this early.
Ideally, a Forensic Anthropologist is a Biological Anthropologist first,
trained in all aspects of anthropology, a holistic field. Secondly, such an
anthropologist who decides to specialize in forensics has had additional
training and experience in forensic science. It is a rare case to see a job
advertisement for a Forensic Anthropologist – Universities will post
positions for a Physical Anthropologist and possibly ask for a specialty like
skeletal biology or primatology. I have yet to see a job posting for a
Criminologist with experience in skeletal biology. Think of it this way – the
hardest elements in the human body are those most likely to withstand
destruction and to be found as clues – these elements are the teeth. If a
crime scene investigator finds teeth he will most likely call a Forensic
Dentist.
Many departments are beginning to focus mainly on Cultural Anthropology
and the Physical Anthropologists are moving into other departments such as
biology departments (as has happened at UC Berkeley and the University of
Arizona). Another issue for Physical Anthropology students focusing on
osteology is that many departments are losing their osteological collections
as universities and museums repatriate under NAGPRA. If such a trend
continues, such students may need to change their focus, or plan to attend a
university abroad.
“Sherlock Bones”
Forensic Anthropology was established as a certified science by the FBI in
the 1930s. These experts, sometimes jokingly referred to as “Sherlock
Bones,” regularly use their understanding of the structure and function of the
body in their work. Forensic anthropologists prefer to work with complete
skeletons, but often only have access to individual bones or teeth. A
complete skeleton can reveal a great deal about the once-living individual:
physical characteristics, health lifestyle, habits, injuries, and even cause of
death.
When unidentified human bones are located, they are carefully packaged and
sent to the laboratory of the forensic anthropologist. These experts attempt
to develop a detailed bone and dental record from the remains. Size and
shape of certain bones can indicate the age, sex, height, and build of an
individual at the time of death. The forensic anthropologist carefully
examines the bones and records all the information he or she can gather from
a visual examination. The X-rays are used to get a closer look at the
condition of the bones.
Head and Hips
The sex of the unknown individual can often be determined by viewing the
cranium and pelvic bones. Length of arm and leg bones can be used to
calculate the height of the human. Deviations in a bone, such as a lipping at
the end of the upper leg bone, indicate that the individual may have been an
elderly person with arthritis (inflammation of the joints). Indentations in
teeth often indicate the presence of a dental filling at one time. A
comparison of the location and shape of these fillings may eventually be
matched to the dental records of an individual.
TEACHER NOTES AND KEY FOR LAB 4-7, MISSING PERSONS
 Students need about 50 minutes to complete this lab.
 Using a black felt-tip pen or marker, trace three copies of Exhibit A onto three
large pieces of tracing paper. Paste these to three different pieces of cardboard
and tape them in several locations in the room. Students will measure these
copies of the exhibit with a metric ruler.
 If your students have some difficulty working math equations, you may want to
do a sample problem with them.
Answers to Crime Scene Report
2. Exhibit A humerus is 25.3 cm in length.
3.
Missing person
Bill Boston
Jane Caldwell
Ernest Bass
Jill James
Gary Burnes
Lily Walker
Mary Zimmerman
Billy Jenkins
Jessie Agan
Gladys Thomas
Don Harris
Lenny Aires
Height
(feet and
inches)
5’ 11”
5’ 5”
5’ 6”
4’ 10”
6’ 10”
5’ 9”
4’ 8”
6’ 2”
6’ 0”
5’ 7”
5’ 7”
6’ 4”
Height
(cm)
180.34
165.10
167.64
14732
208.28
175.26
142.24
187.96
182.88
170.18
170.18
193.04
Calculated
length of
humerus (cm)
37.958
33.555
33.564
27.183
47.626
37.197
25.360
40.595
38.837
35.376
34.443
42.353
4. Female
5. Estimated height of owner is 4’ 8”
6. Yes, the owner appears to be Mary Zimmerman.
7. Group measurements should mathematically prove that humerus
length does indicate height of stature.
Lab 4-7
Name
Period
Date
MISSING PERSONS
A Lab on Forensic Anthropology
Objective
You will identify a missing person by using the humerus bone length to find the
height of that individual.
Background Information
Last week 12 families received letters from the Federal Bureau of Investigation stating
that a human humerus, the upper arm bone, had washed ashore on nearby Seagull Beach.
The FBI letter said that it is likely that this upper arm bone belonged to one of 12 missing
persons in the area who have never been discovered.
The life insurance policies that covered these 12 individuals have not yet paid the
beneficiaries. These polices cannot be paid until proof of the missing person’s death has
been confirmed. Many of these families are in desperate need of this financial assistance.
Most of the families believe their loved one was murdered.
The length of the upper arm bone can be used to determine the actual height of its owner.
For this reason, each of the 12 families has been asked to provide information about the
height of their loved one. The members of the crime lab will compare the height of each
missing person with the projected height of the individual to whom the humerous
belonged. A crime lab report will be sent to the proper insurance company if a match is
found for the humerus bone.
Materials
Tape measure (metric)
Calculator
Exhibit A
Procedure
1. On the Crime Report Sheet, list all investigators names.
2. Exhibit A is a life-size sketch of the upper arm bone that washed up on Seagull
Beach. You and your team of experts need to measure the length of the arm bone in
centimeters. Record the length of the humerus on your Crime Report Sheet.
3. The families of the 12 missing persons have provided information regarding the
height of their missing family member to the FBI. Their information is provided on
the Data Table of your Crime Report Sheet. Convert their heights to centimeters.
Note: 2.54cm equals 1 inch.
Lab 4-7
4. Use the following formulas to determine the length of the humerus bone for each of
these missing persons. You need to find the owner and rule out the other possible
owners of the humerus bone that was discovered.
The formula for males and females is different:
Height of male in cm
= (Length of humerus bone in cm) x (2.89) + 70.64
Height of female in cm = (Length of humerus bone in cm) x (2.79) + 71.48
Record this information on the Data Table of your Crime Report Sheet.
5. On the Crime Report Sheet indicate the owner of Exhibit A.
Lab 4-7
Crime Report Sheet
1. Name of Investigators:
Date of Investigation:
2. Results of Investigation: Length of Exhibit A Humerus:
cm
DATA TABLE
3.
Missing person
Bill Boston
Height (feet
and inches)
5’ 11”
Jane Caldwell
5’ 5”
Ernest Bass
5’ 6”
Jill James
4’ 10”
Gary Burnes
6’ 10”
Lily Walker
Mary Zimmerman
5’ 9”
4’ 8”
Billy Jenkins
6’ 2”
Jessie Agan
6’ 0”
Gladys Thomas
5’ 7”
Don Harris
5’ 7”
Lenny Aires
6’ 4”
Height (cm)
Calculated length
of humerus (cm)
4. Is the owner male or female? Explain your reasoning.
5. Estimated height of the owner of the humerus bone:
6. Is one of the 12 missing persons a possible owner? If so, who? Explain your
reasoning.
7. To prove to the insurance company that this formula works, find the height in cm
of each person in your investigative team. Then measure the length of each
person’s humerus. Use your calculations to show that humerus bone length can
be used to determine height.