1. Teeth Tell All Animal skulls provide info to scientists – Can identify a species – Many others: Eating habits Size Gender Brain development Health Cause of death *Sometimes run a DNA test

2. What do forensic scientists need to know? Parts of the skull Differences between species Use dichotomous keys and other resources – Look for distinguishing characteristics

3. How can a skull be identified? Clues – Types, shapes, and patterns of teeth Quickest clues – Other characteristics Shape (round vs. oblong) Size and position of eyes sockets and nasal passage Shape of ear tube Size of brain case Distinct suture patterns

4. Types of Teeth Incisors – Located across front of mouth – Used for cutting Canines – Behind each side of incisors Four at the most – Work like daggers Used to grab and hold prey Clues to food source can be found by presence or length

5. Types of Teeth Molars and premolars – Cheek teeth that are located behind the canines – Wide teeth used for grinding, crushing, or cutting

6. Herbivores Plant eating animals Examples – Deer, Elk, Sheep, Cattle Wavy-topped cheek teeth (molars and premolars) – Used to grind apart tough plant parts Alternates between hard white enamel and softer dentine Most herbivores do not have canines – Exceptions: male horses, pig family w/ tusks

7. Gnawing Herbivores Examples – Prairie dogs, beavers, squirrels, rabbits Have specialized long, curved incisors – Crack nuts, rip tough plants, chew through wood – These teeth are quickly worn down Must grow continually through the animal’s lifetime Incisors must stay sharp – Enamel! Outer face has an extra layer – Inner face covered in dentine Other teeth are like typical herbivores

8. Carnivores Meat eaters Examples – Cat family, wolves, mink, badgers Teeth are completely sealed and protected by enamel Have long pointed canines to grab and hold prey Sharp-edged incisors to cut through muscle Cheek teeth vary in size and shape – Most resemble a cluster of tiny canines Best for crushing and cutting prey

9. Omnivores Eat both animal and plant material Examples – Foxes, coyotes, raccoons, bears Teeth are a mix between herbivore and carnivore – Canines not as sharp – Cheek teeth not as flat as herbivore All teeth sealed with enamel

10. Insectivores Eat insects Examples: – Bats, shrews Look like they have a mouth full of canines All teeth are small sharp daggers Sealed with enamel – Catch and crush hard shelled insects or arthropods

11. Trace Fossils Environmental Science Animal Forensics Unit

12. Trace Fossils Temporary animal signs (anything that only lasts a short time, but is a clue the animal was there – Footprints – Blood trail – Nests – Scat/spoor/droppings – Cut vegetation – Burrows – Fur left behind – Scratches on trees

13. Trace Fossils What is a track? – Usually refers to a footprint – Can also be a mark left on the ground from: Tail, wing, hand, snake slither, etc. – People leave other unique tracks Tire tracks, skis, snowmobile, etc.

14. Trace Fossils Why are tracks important? – Can help scientists follow a suspect or victim – Animal prints can tell give us a lot of information: Species Age Gender Direction Time of day – A series of tracks shows even more: Speed, health, behavior

15. Trace Fossils Not all fossils are equal – If DNA is present Points to an individual – If there is no DNA Can still point to a group Narrow down list of suspects