FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY
IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS
Crime scenes are not always “fresh”, in fact many crimes are not “discovered”
until long after they occurred. The field of Forensic Anthropology is the best way
to decipher clues from skeletal remains found long after the incident occurred.
Forensic anthropology is the examination of skeletal remains. This examination
can be used to first determine if the remains are in fact human. Then the forensic
anthropologist can determine the gender, approximate age, physical stature, and
likely racial affiliation of the person in life. The examination can also yield
approximate time since death, likely cause of death and any identifying illnesses
or wounds suffered in life that could leave traces in the bone structure. This
information can then be used to help identify the remains.
Forensic archaeology uses classic archaeological means for the systematic
recovery of buried remains and other artifacts of the burial. Information can also
be gleaned by the analysis of pollen, soil, seeds, and insects excavated from the
site. These are all recovered and documented if archaeological training is used.
The main factors used in forensic studies are:
Osteology, the study of bones
Dentition, the study of teeth
Ethnobotany, the study of plant remains and pollen
As the prevalence of violent crimes increases, so does the need and use of
forensic anthropology and archaeology. The archaeological exhumination of
buried remains has been very helpful in many investigations and the information
that can be learned through forensic anthropology has identified victims
throughout the world. Not only has it been used in the U.S. and England for
criminal investigation but it can also be used in situations with mass burials such
as Yugoslavia, some South American countries, such as Guatemala and
Argentina, and World War II concentration camps.
BONES: FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY
WEB RESOURCES
1)
IDENTIFYING THE ROMANOVS (STAR WITH SLIDE #3)
http://www.dnai.org/d/index.html
2)
FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY DIRECTORY
http://www.forensicanthro.com/forensic-resources/
3)
SKELETAL TUTORIAL
http://www.gwc.maricopa.edu/class/bio201/index.htm
4)
E-SKELETAL TUTORIAL (POINT AND CLICK)
http://www.eskeletons.org/
5)
http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/index.html
Forensic Anthropology Resources
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6)
Introduction - Dr. William M. Bass
Age, Sex, and Stature
Race
Pathology
Trauma
Taphonomy
Identifying Characteristics
Education in Forensic Anthropology
http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/osteology/index.html
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The basics
The Skull
The Postcranial Skeleton
Dentition (in progress)
Anthropometric devices