Identifying Skeletal Remains

Size and Stature Height can be estimated from the lengths of certain long bones –Humerus –Femur General build can be characterized by the development of muscle attachments

Age and Sex Several features can be used to distinguish males from females –Pelvis – difference in shape from the need of females to accommodate childbirth –Femur – different structure based upon differences in the pelvis –Skull The state of fusion of some bone epiphyses and sutures can be used to determine age –The ends of long bones and segments of vertebra do not fuse until early adulthood in order to accommodate growth –Sutures between cranial bones also fuse through time

Determining Sex from the Pelvis A.Females generally have a wider sciatic notch

Determining Sex from the Femur

Determining Sex from the Skull Male skulls - more robust, prominent muscle attachments, prominent brow ridges, and a square chin. Female skulls - more graceful, less prominent muscle attachments, less prominent brow ridges, and a rounder chin

Determining Age tooth eruptionThis child is thought to be somewhere between the ages of 3 and 5 years old based on the stage of tooth eruption and calcification calvariumThe calvarium (top of skull) is much larger in relation to the face and lower jaw because the brain develops quite rapidly relative to dentition The lower jaw and upper jaw enlarge as permanent molars appear. (6 years old)

5-years 60+ years

5 years60+ years

Epiphyseal Fusion Fusion of epiphyses in long bones begins around age 17 and ends around age 25

Determining “Race” Different human populations have evolved identifiable cranial characteristics –Four general human cranial phenotypes defined Australoid Caucasoid Mongoloid Negroid –These represent definably distinct combinations of morphological traits, but they are along a continuum of variability within the entire human population Morphological traits used to distinguish phenotypes –Gonial Inversion –Midfacial Characteristics –Prognathism –Dental Arcade

Determining Race

Gonial Inversion Negroids exhibit moderate to pronounced inversion in the area midway up the rear edge of the lower jaw Caucasoids and mongoloids show little or no inversion males femalesThis feature is more prominant in males than in females

Negroid Midfacial Characteristics Rectangularorbitwideinterorbital guttered nasal border Rectangular eye orbit, wide interorbital area, and guttered nasal border

Caucasoid Midfacial Characteristics steeplednasals prominent nasal spine Sloped eye orbit, narrow interorbital area, steepled nasals, and prominent nasal spine

Mongoloid Midfacial Characteristics Roundorbittented nasalsprojecting cheekbones Round eye orbit, tented nasals, and projecting cheekbones

Other Unique Mongoloid Characteristics Shoveled incisors Shoveled incisors All mongoloid crania have shoveled incisors.