Forensic Science Anthropology

Forensic File What is the correct order for the arrival of the following insects at a body from first to last? Ants Beetles Flies Spiders Wasps

What is osteology? Study of bone structure and growth of bone tissue

How can bone Sutures be used to determine age? Three major cranial sutures appear as distinct lines in youth and gradually close from inside out Basilar sutures close in females as young as 14 and males as young as 16. If suture is open, the individual is generally considered 18 or younger

Age continued Long bones of legs & arms: growth plate remains open as they are growing, then close up when growth stops; Bones complete their growth around age 25 Pelvis: symphysis (band of cartilage attaching pelvis to spinal column) has zigzag shape , but straightens as age; stopping around age 50 Ribs: sternal ends of ribs are smooth and rounded in youth, but become pitted and sharp as we age Bone density: bones lose calcium as we age

How can bones be used to determine gender? Pelvis of female is wider Males have a narrow subpubic angle (A) and a narrow pubic bone body (B)

male female Sub pubic Angle

Gender differences cont. Ribcage and shoulders of males are generally wider and larger than females In addition, about one person in twenty has an extra rib This is more common in males than in females

Gender differences cont. Although occurring less consistently, males typically have index fingers that are shorter than their ring finger In females the index finger is typically longer than the ring finger. Is this a male or female hand according to the above rule?

How can bones be used to determine height? Height of a person can be calculated by using the length of certain bones (femur, tibia, humerus, & radius) To the right are average measurements for both males and females More specific charts are available if you know the race of the individual All measurements are in centimeters Male Female Femur x 2.23 + 69.08 Femur x 2.31 + 61.41 Tibia x 2.39 + 81.68 Tibia x 2.53 + 72.57 Humerus x 2.97 + 73.57 Humerus x 3.14 + 64.97 Radius x 3.65 + 80.40 Radius x 3.87 + 76.50

How can race be determined from the bones? Race is difficult to determine from most skeletal remains An experienced forensic anthropologist can generally place skulls into one of three groups: Caucasian Negroid Mongoloid

Determining race Caucasian Negroid Mongoloid High, rounded or square skulls Lower, narrower skulls Broad, round skulls Straight faces, narrow protruding noses Wider, flatter noses, larger teeth, eyesockets usually squared Arched profiles, eye sockets rounded with wide facial dimensions Forward curve to femur Longer arm and leg bones Shorter limb bones

What differences do you notice between these three skulls What differences do you notice between these three skulls? Could you tell each race? Racial identification is impossible if someone is of mixed race