Osteology and Odontology Sofia R-K

What is Osteology? Osteology is the use of bones and bone structures to elucidate a victim’s identity.

Sexual Dimorphism The ways in which the binary sexes differ physiologically. these are generalizations based on the hormonal changes that occur in male and female bodies during puberty 90% accuracy in sex attribution for post puberty population skull and pelvis are the most sexualy dismorphic

Highly Sexually Dimorphic Areas maled =red females=blue skull: larger and more robust at areas of muscle attachment (mastoid processes) -biomechanical stress (brow ridges, chin) -more square at lower jaw and larger joint surfaces (mandibular condyles and occipital condyles) -males undergo longer period of somatic growth and hormonally mediated muscle mass -additional breadth and increased diameter of pelvic openings -broad, shallow sciatic notch -u shaped subpubic angle -well developed ventral arc and raised auricular surface -larger postcranial skeleton and hip and ball sockets

Typically Female breadth and increased diameter of pelvic openings broad, shallow sciatic notch u shaped subpubic angle well developed ventral arc and raised auricular surface print out handout with

http://people.wku.edu/darlene.applegate/forensic/lab10/lab10.html

Typically Male skull larger and more robust at areas of muscle attachment biomechanical stress (brow ridges, chin) more square at lower jaw and larger joint surfaces (mandibular condyles and occipital condyles) larger sockets generally, larger masses result from longer period of somatic growth and hormonally mediated muscle mass

Ethnic and other Dimorphisms specific ethnicities show very low percentages of sexual dimorphism ie populations of african descent, especially Zulu height and stature demonstrate nutritional status and intensity of physical labor

Other Distinctions ridges on pelvic bones or skulls=younger “Craniums of a 20 year-old (left) and a 70 year-old (right). Images courtesy of Smithsonian Institution” teenagers have particularly knobby thigh bones http://anthropology.si.edu/writteninbone/young_old.html

Osteology to Determine Age Ossification centers: gradually replace cartilage. “In long bones...bony tissue develops from a set of three main ossification centers”(109) the diaphysis (center) and epiphysis (one at each end) grow together when individual reaches “full size”. Fully developed newborns have ~405 and mid 20’s have ~206.

Osteology to Determine Age Stages of epiphyse al union can be more easily and clearly identified on x-ray. this is demonstrated best in long bones, but can be done in hands and feet

What is Odontology? The use of teeth/jaw composition in comparison with dental records or other standards to identify victim or salient characteristics about victim.

Odontology to Determine Age Humans have “deciduous dentition” Children ~4-6 Presence/absence of wisdom teeth demonstrate age,region, and status gold teeth, crowns, fillings, braces and other hardware http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Gray1001.png/250px-Gray1001.png

Odontology to determine ethnicity Can show ancestry: Asian or Native American ancestry have “shoveling” which are marginal ridges around the anterior teeth on the tongue side (inner).