1. Osteology and Odontology
Sofia R-K

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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).