Forensic Anthropologists assist medical and legal specialists as well as law enforcement officials by identifying the deceased. examine hair, insects, plant materials and footprints determine elapsed time since death create a facial reproduction

Forensic Anthropologists also... detect anatomical variants possible analyze evidence of past injury and medical treatment  provide expert opinion on the weapon(s) used and the number of blows sustained by the victim Forensic anthropologists primarily identify the deceased persons using available evidence.

Osteobiography- the story of a life told by the bones. When an unidentifiable human skeleton is found and no dental records are on record, the anthropologist then attempts to estimate age at death, sex, race, health and height as well as an overall osteobiography. Osteobiography- the story of a life told by the bones.

Mandible Sternum Vertebrae Patella

Male or Female?

The Female Skull Bones are more smooth (gracile)   Bones are more smooth (gracile) The frontal bone of the skull is high and rounded Upper edge of eye orbit is sharp Eye orbits are usually round Jaw is sloped (greater than 90o)  (Slanting Ramus) Chins are round or V-shaped Lack of the occipital protuberance on the skull

The Male Skull Bones are more knobby, thicker, and rougher (robust) The frontal bone of the skull is low and sloping  Upper edge of eye orbit is blunt   Eye orbits are usually square Jaw is square (90o)  (Straight Ramus) Chins are square Presence of the occipital protuberance on the skull

The Female Pelvis Greater than 90o subpubic angle (Concave)   Greater than 90o subpubic angle (Concave) Rectangular cartilaginous pubis Oval shaped pelvic cavity Shorter, broader, outwardly curved sacrum. Makes a larger angle with the femur The surface will be scarred if the woman has been pregnant.

The Male Pelvis Less than 90o subpubic angle (convex) Triangular pubis   Less than 90o subpubic angle (convex) Triangular pubis Heart shaped pelvic cavity Longer, narrower, inwardly curved sacrum Makes a straighter, smaller angle with the femur

Male Female

Distinguishing Race Determining race from bones is very difficult due to intermarriage and physical trait differences become less prominent and harder to distinguish

The characteristics that vary between races are: Shape of the eye sockets Absence or prominence of a nasal spine Measurements of the nasal index width of the nasal opening x100 height of the opening

The characteristics that vary between races are: Prognathism- the projection of the upper jaw, or maxilla, beyond the lower jaw

The characteristics that vary between races are: Width of the Face Angle of the jaw and face Gap size under curvature of femur

Caucasiod Skull Rounded, vaguely square eye orbits Prominent nasal spine  nasal index < 0.48 Straight prognathism Parabolic arch of maxilla  

Mongoloid Skull Rounded, vaguely circular eye orbits Somewhat prominent nasal spine nasal index 0.48 - 0.53 variable prognathism Rounded arch of maxilla

Negroid Skull Rectangular eye orbits Small nasal spine nasal index > 0.53 prognathic prognathism Hyperbolic arch of maxilla

Way of determining race without the skull and examining the femur Causasoid- Fingers will fit under curvature of femur Mongoloid- Fingers will fit under curvature of femur   Negroid- Fingers will not fit under curvature of femur