Forensic Anthropology Pathology 3

Anthropology Anthropology –Study of man Primarily three subfields –Cultural anthropology Deals with human behavior, culture, religion, etc. –Archaeology Study of past cultures through artifacts –Physical (biological) anthropology The study of human biological function & variation, particularly skeletal biology (osteology)

Forensic Anthropology Almost always within the field of osteology –Analyzing skeletal remains to cases of legal importance Clues from bones: –Age –Sex –Time of death –State of health –Trauma anthropologistThree tasks of forensic anthropologist –ID victim Age, sex, stature, ancestry, anomalies, pathology –Reconstruct the postmortem period –Provide data of the death event Indicates the “big three” of skeletal remains identification

Forensic Anthropologist Academic employment (university) –Forensics is part-time work. Ph.D. in anthropology –4-7 years post B.S. –3 years of postdoctoral work –Pass the American Board of Forensic Anthropology written & practical exams Caution: Following slides contain graphic imagery of human remains.

Forensic Anthropology Mass gravesite discovered near Srebrenica, Serbia/Herzegovina in The Srebrenica Massacre” as it came to be known, saw the death of perhaps over 8000 cilivians. The red flags mark the locations of skulls. Forensic evidence from this site eventually led to the first prosecuted case of genocide in Europe.

Forensic Anthropology Mass gravesite discovered near Mosul, Iraq in 2003.

Anatomical Orientation

General Osteological Elements

Types of Bones Adult human skeleton has 206 bones –Approx. 450 at birth Human body has four basic types of bones –Long –Short –Flat –Irregular

Long Bones Tubular shaft and articular (connected to a joint) ends –Includes the arm and leg bones Femur, tibia, fibula Humerus, radius, ulna Generally grow from the ends (Epiphysis) –“Growth plates”

Growth Plates Determination of juveniles and teenagers can be estimated by which growth plates have closed off versus which ones are still in the growth phase.

Short Bones Tubular shafts and articular ends but noticeably smaller than long bones –Includes hands, feet, clavicle Metacarpals, phalanges Metatarsals, phalanges Clavicle

Flat Bones Flat shaft, thin with broad surfaces –Includes the ribs, scapula, sternum

Irregular Bones Miscellaneous category that includes bones that vary in size and shape Distributed throughout the skeleton –Includes vertebrae, carpals, tarsals, patella

Determining Age Skull –Calvarium (brain case) much larger than rest of skull in young children –Look carefully at dentition and jaw size –Skull sutures begin to close with age

Determining Age with the Skull

Age and Skull Sutures The various sutures of the skull begin to close at varying ages in a human’s life. A fairly accurate determination of the age of the person in question can be determined by examining which sutures are present and/or absent.

Determining Age Long bones –Look for growth plates Disappear between ages of –Look at cartilage Degenerates with age Additional buildup of bone at joints indicates arthritic conditions

Determining Age with Long Bones

Determining Age Vertebra –Like in the long bones, look for epiphyses sites –Will disappear by age 25 –Can also look at overall spinal alignment Can be a hint to age and stature

Determining Age with Vertebrae

Determining Age with Arthritis

Determining Sex Male and female features are different in several key locations –Based on muscle mass, size, childbirth,etc. Known as “sexual dimorphism” –Common in most mammals and to a lesser extent in other animal groups

Determining Sex Skull –Generally in males: Larger, squarer jaw Larger brow ridges Larger canines Larger attachments for jaw muscles

Determining Sex

Pelvis –Much wider in females to accommodate childbirth –Flat end of the ilium is flat in males and more rounded in females MaleFemale

Determining Sex Femur –In general, male femurs are larger than females for two individuals of the same age –Muscle attachments for males are also much more defined

Determining Sex

Determining Stature and Weight Very difficult to accurately accomplish Best methods use long bones –Males generally show 5-10% taller stature than a female of the same age Estimating Height by ________Formula Length of femur (cm)Length x = height (cm) Length of tibia (cm)Length x = height (cm) Length of fibula (cm)Length x = height (cm) Calculations for Estimating Height of Caucasoid Male

Determining Race Humans are divided into three categories according to ancestry –Caucasoid –Negroid –Mongoloid (includes Native American) Each ethnic group possesses subtle skeletal differences that can be identified by the trained eye

Caucasoid Facial Features

Negroid Facial Features

Mongoloid Facial Features

Race and Jaw Shape Negroid Caucasoid Mongoloid

Race and Jaw Features Only Negroid jaws feature a pronounced “hook” (known as a ramus inversion) on the backside of the lower jaw…Caucasoids and Mongoloids do not exhibit this characteristic.

Caucasoid If present, metopic sutures are usually a sign of Caucasoids

Negroid Prognathism If present, prognathism (jutting out) of the lower jaw is usually a sign of Negroids

Mongoloid If present, “Wormian bones” are usually a sign of Mongoloids