1. Forensic Anthropology
Chapter 8

2. Intro We need to know how people’s osteology is different
Can tell age, sex, ancestry, health, activities, during life
Helps us identify skeletal remains

3. Measuring Human Biological Variation
Anthropometry: measurement of humans
Osteometry: measurement of skeletons
To measure people, first step is to identify landmarks
Sutures, places on skull that are midline, or those that stick out the most

4. Anthropometric Techniques
Main tools are spreading calipers and sliding calipers
We look at head shape, nasal shape
Head shape: helpful to determine ancestry
Cranial breadth: maximum width of skull
Cranial length: maximum length of skull
Cephalic: how round or long skull is:
Cranial index: (Cranial breadth x 100) / Cranial length
Page 183

5. Anthropometric Techniques
Nasal shape: also to determine ancestry
Nasal breadth: widest part of nasal opening
Nasal height: length of nasal bones (see diagram)
Nasal Index: (Nasal breadth x 100) / Nasal height
Page 183

6. Determining Sex Use pelvis and skull
Sexual dimorphism: differences in size or shape between sexes of a species
Males: more rugose (rugged muscle attachments), larger bodies, narrow pelvis, square chin, large brow ridges
Females: smaller bodies, more slender bones and muscles, wilder pelvis, round chin, small brow ridges
There is variation!
Charts on page 189 will help

7. Assignment Lab 8.2 Use pictures in book and
skulls on table to fill in charts
Self-Test 8.2 on own

8. Determining Age
Formative changes (from growth) and degenerative changes (from old age) help determine age at death
Look at dentition, sutures and growth rates
Usually get age ranges, not exact age

9. Determining Age Using dentition:
Look at growth of tooth enamel, which grows at regular rate
Growth patterns of tooth root
Dental eruption: most common; useful through age 15; remember dental formula of

10. Determining Age Using sutures:
Epiphyseal Closure: after birth, bone grows in “plates” connected by cartilage
Later, the bone ossifies and cartilage replaced by bone
These bones fuse at intervals that can help determine age
Last bone to fuse is clavicle, no later than 28 years
Chart on page 196 shows ages of bone closure

11. Degenerative Changes
In adulthood, bones are fused and wear and tear becomes observable
Cranial sutures: as skull grows, sutures become worn smooth
Pubic Symphysis: the “face” changes with age; ridges wear down; evidence of childbirth
Dental attrition: the occlusal surface of teeth wear down. This is impacted by type of diet

12. Assignment Lab 8.1 Use skulls!!!! Do Self-Test 8.1 on own Lab 8.2
Last but not least, Zoo info…..

13. How Tall Were They?
Height/stature can be reconstructed by measuring bones
Use an osteometric board to measure
Actual height can differ from last recorded height because of inaccuracy, shrinkage with old age, etc.

14. Assignment Lab 8.4 #1-4 Use previous measurements for #1
Self-Test 8.4 on own

15. Extra Credit WS
Remember to look for clues in wounds for what type of weapon (sharp, blunt, gunshot, etc.) was used
Gunshot wounds show direction
If there is any evidence of healing, you cannot say that the injury killed the person (SO LOOK FOR HEALING!!)
For crime scene, use the chart of epiphyseal fusion, dental eruption, and anything from book or notes