1. Forensic Anthropology Southern Boone County HS Forensics Bill Palmer
Bones are our last and best witness; they never lie and they never forget.

2. Definition
Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal process.
Forensic anthropologists apply standard scientific techniques developed in physical anthropology to identify human remains, and to assist in the detection of crime.

3. What can bones tell us? Human or nonhuman Age Gender Stature
History of trauma or disease
Evidence for cause and manner of death
Handedness & type of occupation
Racial determination not reliable

4. Intact vs. disarticulated (In which case is identification easier?)

5. Intact vs. disarticulated (In which case is identification easier?)
Intact is easier but not likely to be found by a forensic anthropologist.

6. Excavated remains
Typical skeleton found at a crime scene.

7. Posterior view Scapulae not always noticed in front view

8. Do you see the scapulae here?

10. Male and female skull

11. Chimpanzee

12. Neanderthal Skull

13. Trephined cranium from Peru

14. Bones of Human Skull

15. Bones of Human Skull

16. Traditional facial reconstruction
Forensic Anthropologist can reconstruct a face from skeletal remains.

17. Computer-aided facial reconstruction
Computer programs can also reconstruct facial features from a skull.

18. Bones of the skull
1. Parietal Bone 2. Coronal Suture 3. Frontal Bone 4. Nasal Bone 5. Vomer 6. Lacrimal Bone 7. Orbital Part of Ethmoid 8. Zygomatic Bone 9. Maxilla 10. Body of Mandible 11. Ramus of Mandible 12. Coronoid Process 13. Mandibular Condyle 14. Mental Foramen 15. Styloid Process 16. External Acoustic Meatus 17. Mastoid Process 18. Zygomatic Process 19. Temporal Bone 20. Greater Wing of Sphenoid 21. Inferior Temporal Line 22. Superior Temporal Line 23. Squamosal Suture 24. Lambdoidal Suture 25. Occipital Bone

19. Bones of the Human You should know the names of the bones of the
human skeleton.

20. Bones of the Human male vs. female
The female pelvis has a larger opening than the male-for child bearing.

21. Bones of the Human male vs. female
The male pelvis is “cup-like and the female pelvis is like a “dishpan.”
Also, the male pubic arch is like a “V” and the female is like a “U.”

22. Bones of the Human male vs. female
The slope of the forehead of the female is different than the male. The female has a “rounded” shape and the male is more of a slope.

23. Bones of the Human male vs. female

24. Bones of the Human male vs. female

25. Bones of the Human male vs. female

26. Bones of the Human Race Determination

27. Bones of the Human Race Determination
Nasal spine:
Prominent
Progathism: straight
Orbital openings:
round

28. Bones of the Human Race Determination

29. Bones of the Human Race Determination

30. Bones of the Human Age Determination
Occupational stress wears bones at joints

31. Bones of the Human Age Determination
Surgeries or healed wounds aid in identification

32. Bones of the Human Age Determination
Teeth can help determine age of a skeleton.

33. Bones of the Human Other Information
Evidence of trauma (here GSW to the head)

34. Bones of the Human Other Information
Evidence of post mortem trauma (here the head of the femur was chewed off by a carnivore)

35. Bones of the Human
Use your knowledge of Forensic Anthropology to tell something about each of the following slides.