Forensic Anthropology Mrs. Taktak

What Is Forensic Anthropology Anthropology is the study of humankind, culturally and physically, in all times and places. Anthropology is the study of humankind, culturally and physically, in all times and places. Forensic Anthropology is the application of anthropological knowledge and techniques in a legal context. Forensic Anthropology is the application of anthropological knowledge and techniques in a legal context. This involves detailed knowledge of osteology (skeletal anatomy) This involves detailed knowledge of osteology (skeletal anatomy)

What is it used for Forensic anthropology is used to show how someone died. Forensic anthropology is used to show how someone died. They can identify the age, sex, and race of the victim. They can identify the age, sex, and race of the victim.

What are some kinds of trauma Antemortem trauma Antemortem trauma Perimortem trauma Perimortem trauma Postmortem trauma Postmortem trauma

Antemortem trauma Is an injury that is sustained before the person died and therefore shows clear signs of healing that are recognizable on the bone after death. Is an injury that is sustained before the person died and therefore shows clear signs of healing that are recognizable on the bone after death. This could help in the identification of that person, by comparing medical X-rays of possible victims with those of the skeleton This could help in the identification of that person, by comparing medical X-rays of possible victims with those of the skeleton

Perimortem trauma Is trauma that is sustained at or about the time of death. Is trauma that is sustained at or about the time of death. Tricky to distinguish Tricky to distinguish

Postmortem trauma Is an injury to the skeleton that has been sustained after death. Is an injury to the skeleton that has been sustained after death. Postmortem trauma is distinctly different from antemortem trauma, as there will be no signs of healing. Postmortem trauma is distinctly different from antemortem trauma, as there will be no signs of healing.

Determining Age

How to decipher age 0-5 The calvarium (skull cap) is much larger in relation to the face and mandible at this stage in life. The calvarium (skull cap) is much larger in relation to the face and mandible at this stage in life. The mandible and maxilla become larger as permanent molars begin to erupt. This occurs at approximately six years of age. This child is thought to be somewhere between the ages of 3 and 5 years old based on the stage of tooth eruption and calcification. The mandible and maxilla become larger as permanent molars begin to erupt. This occurs at approximately six years of age. This child is thought to be somewhere between the ages of 3 and 5 years old based on the stage of tooth eruption and calcification.

3 Years Old 14 months old

5 Years and beyond After the age of 5 the skull fully forms and the permanent teeth come in. Whenever the human body gets older (18-60 and older) the skull slowly starts to “deteriorate” and widen; not dramatically, but there is a difference. After the age of 5 the skull fully forms and the permanent teeth come in. Whenever the human body gets older (18-60 and older) the skull slowly starts to “deteriorate” and widen; not dramatically, but there is a difference.

How to determine sex This is determined by studying the pelvis, base of the skull, the forehead, and the jaw. Males usually have a more prominent brow ridge, eye sockets, and jaw. Women have a wider pelvis. This is determined by studying the pelvis, base of the skull, the forehead, and the jaw. Males usually have a more prominent brow ridge, eye sockets, and jaw. Women have a wider pelvis.

FEMALE

MALE

Male Skull

Female Skull

White, Asian, African From: Beyers, S.N. (2005). Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

General Shapes of the Eye Orbits From: Beyers, S.N. (2005). Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

What do certain injuries look like When observing a skeleton there ways to tell what types of injuries the skeleton/body obtained When observing a skeleton there ways to tell what types of injuries the skeleton/body obtained Gunshot wound Gunshot wound Fracture Fracture Occupational stress marks Occupational stress marks Sharp force injury Sharp force injury

Gunshot

Fracture A fracture is when the bone is actually split or broken A fracture is when the bone is actually split or broken

Sharp Force Injury

Decaying bodies It is actually very easy to figure out how long a recently deceased body has been deceased. It is actually very easy to figure out how long a recently deceased body has been deceased. Usually within the first half hour a body is dead the flys come and start slowly eating away the body. The flies then find an opening in the body and lay eggs. Those eggs hatch within 24 hours. Usually within the first half hour a body is dead the flys come and start slowly eating away the body. The flies then find an opening in the body and lay eggs. Those eggs hatch within 24 hours. The bugs then start eating away at the body The bugs then start eating away at the body

Continued When the hatched bugs reach 15 millimeters in length the flies have then been there for 2 weeks. When the hatched bugs reach 15 millimeters in length the flies have then been there for 2 weeks. After this 2 week period the body starts to bloat to an enormous size then deflates and then decay takes place. After this 2 week period the body starts to bloat to an enormous size then deflates and then decay takes place.