Forensic anthropology

Forensic anthropology is that branch of applied physical anthropology concerned with the identification of human remains and associated skeletal trauma related to manner of death in a legal context (Keichs 1998). In 1976, T. D. Stewart (1901–1907) defined forensic anthropology as “that branch of physical anthropology, which, for forensic purposes, deals with the identification of more or less skeletonized remains known to be, or suspected of being, human”.  

What Does a Forensic Anthropologist Do? Analysis of skeletal, badly decomposed, or otherwise unidentified human remains in legal contexts. Locating and recovering human skeletal remains and determine the age, sex, ancestry, stature of a decedent by developing a biological profile. Application of techniques developed in physical anthropology to analyze human remains, and to aid in the detection of crime. Document trauma to the skeleton, and/or estimate the post mortem interval. Determine the cause and or manner of death.

The analyses Skeletal inventory Biological profile Trauma, cause and manner of death Identification

Bones , Is it human?

The skeletal inventory

The analyses 1. The skeletal inventory The first phase of the analysis begins with a skeletal inventory of the presence/absence of each element, as well as any duplication of elements that might be present (indicating that there is more than one individual represented). Placing the remains in anatomical order that allows ease of completion of skeletal inventory.

2. The biological profile The second phase of the analysis is concerned with creating a basic biological profile of the individual skeleton- determining sex, ancestry, age, and stature during life.

Identifying the remains Age - look at bone length and bone fusion Sex - differences in pelvis, skull Stature - size of bones Ancestry - teeth, skull

Determining Sex using the skull Male (left) and female (right) skulls

Determining Sex using the pelvis

Sacrum is straighter in women than in men. Subpubic angle Females – greater than 90° Males – less than 90° Sciatic notch Females – more than 68° Males – less than 68° Sacrum is straighter in women than in men.

Ancestry The estimation of ancestry, or the biological and geographic origins of the individual according to their genetic history is an integral part of the biological profile. While most medico-legal agencies ask for a determination of the race of the individual remains in order to search missing person files.

Age at the time of death Forensic Anthropologist determine an entity’s age on the basis of skeletal and dental development. Ossification centers in bones help to determine age in individuals. These developments “are patterned and depending on age, sex, nutritional and hormonal status, and individual variation”. Ascertaining age also depends on the dental development.

Stature during life If the remains contain any complete long bones, stature estimation can be accomplished with both ease and accuracy. It must be remembered, stature formulae are population specific to geographic area and time period. Nutrition, disease, altitude, and other environmental factors all affect both growth rate and hence they impact upon height.

3. Trauma, cause and manner of death The next phase of the analyses is identifying any evidence of ante-mortem trauma or pathology on the skeleton that may aid in the identification of the individual, and the final phase is identifying any indications of peri mortem trauma (injuries are those that occur around the time of death). Forensic anthropologist is generally concerned with three types of peri mortem trauma :blunt force, sharp force, and projectile (gunshot and fragmentation injuries), that may indicate how the individual died.

4. Identification One of the most challenging issues in investigations of genocide and crimes against humanity is victim identification. Identification has critical meaning for survivors, for courts, and to the expert . For the latter, the status of identification can be expressed as tentative, presumptive and positive.  

Final Report Should Include Taphonomy (time of death) Biological profile (age, sex, stature, race) Individual characteristics Evidence of possible cause of death