Forensic AnthropologyForensic AnthropologySouthern Boone County HSSouthern Boone County HS

ForensicsForensicsBill PalmerBill Palmer

Bones are our last and best Bones are our last and best witness; they never lie and they witness; they never lie and they

never forget.never forget.

DefinitionDefinition

Forensic anthropology is the Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal physical anthropology to the legal process.process.

Forensic anthropologists apply Forensic anthropologists apply standard scientific techniques standard scientific techniques developed in physical anthropology developed in physical anthropology to identify human remains, and to to identify human remains, and to assist in the detection of crime.assist in the detection of crime.

What can bones tell us?What can bones tell us?

Human or nonhumanHuman or nonhuman AgeAge GenderGender StatureStature History of trauma or diseaseHistory of trauma or disease Evidence for cause and manner of deathEvidence for cause and manner of death Handedness & type of occupationHandedness & type of occupation Racial determination not reliableRacial determination not reliable

Intact vs. disarticulatedIntact vs. disarticulated((In which case is identification easier?)In which case is identification easier?)

Intact vs. disarticulatedIntact vs. disarticulated((In which case is identification easier?)In which case is identification easier?)

Intact is easier but not likely to be found by a forensic anthropologist.

Excavated remainsExcavated remains

Typical skeleton found at a crime scene.

Posterior viewPosterior viewScapulae not always noticed in front viewScapulae not always noticed in front view

Do you see the scapulae Do you see the scapulae here?here?

Male and female skullMale and female skull

ChimpanzeeChimpanzee

Neanderthal SkullNeanderthal Skull

Trephined cranium from Trephined cranium from PeruPeru

Bones of Human SkullBones of Human Skull

Bones of Human SkullBones of Human Skull

Traditional facial Traditional facial reconstructionreconstruction

Forensic Anthropologist can reconstruct a face from skeletal

remains.

Computer-aided facial Computer-aided facial reconstructionreconstruction

Computer programs can also reconstruct facial features from a skull.

Bones of the skullBones of the skull1. Parietal Bone 2. Coronal Suture 3. Frontal Bone 4. Nasal Bone 5. Vomer 6. Lacrimal Bone 7. Orbital Part of Ethmoid 8. Zygomatic Bone 9. Maxilla 10. Body of Mandible 11. Ramus of Mandible 12. Coronoid Process 13. Mandibular Condyle 14. Mental Foramen 15. Styloid Process 16. External Acoustic Meatus 17. Mastoid Process 18. Zygomatic Process 19. Temporal Bone 20. Greater Wing of Sphenoid 21. Inferior Temporal Line 22. Superior Temporal Line 23. Squamosal Suture 24. Lambdoidal Suture 25. Occipital Bone

Bones of the HumanBones of the Human

You should know theYou should know the

names of the bones of the names of the bones of the

human skeleton.human skeleton.

Bones of the HumanBones of the Humanmale vs. femalemale vs. female

The female pelvis has a larger opening than the male-for child bearing.

Bones of the HumanBones of the Humanmale vs. femalemale vs. female

The male pelvis is “cup-like and the female pelvis is like a “dishpan.”

Also, the male pubic arch is like a “V” and the female is like a “U.”

Bones of the HumanBones of the Humanmale vs. femalemale vs. female

The slope of the forehead of the female is different than the male. The female has a “rounded” shape and the male is more of a slope.

Bones of the HumanBones of the Humanmale vs. femalemale vs. female

Bones of the HumanBones of the Humanmale vs. femalemale vs. female

Bones of the HumanBones of the Humanmale vs. femalemale vs. female

Bones of the HumanBones of the HumanRace DeterminationRace Determination

Bones of the HumanBones of the HumanRace DeterminationRace Determination

Nasal spine:Prominent

Progathism: straight

Orbital openings:round

Bones of the HumanBones of the HumanRace DeterminationRace Determination

Bones of the HumanBones of the HumanRace DeterminationRace Determination

Bones of the HumanBones of the HumanAge DeterminationAge Determination

Occupational stress wears bones at joints

Bones of the HumanBones of the HumanAge DeterminationAge Determination

Surgeries or healed wounds aid in identification

Bones of the HumanBones of the HumanAge DeterminationAge Determination

Teeth can help determine age of a skeleton.

Bones of the HumanBones of the HumanOther InformationOther Information

Evidence of trauma (here GSW to the head)

Bones of the HumanBones of the HumanOther InformationOther Information

•Evidence of post mortem trauma (here the head of the femur was chewed off by a carnivore)

Bones of the HumanBones of the Human

Use your knowledge of Forensic Anthropology to tell something about each

of the following slides.