1. Forensic Science
Anthropology

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. male
female
Sub pubic Angle

8. 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

9. 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?

10. 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
Femur x
Tibia x
Tibia x
Humerus x
Humerus x
Radius x
Radius x

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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