Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of these is NOT a type of crime that a Forensic Anthropologist may assist in?
Which of these is NOT a type of crime that a Forensic Anthropologist may assist in?
What is the study of bones and the human skeleton called?
What is the study of bones and the human skeleton called?
What is the name of the person who created the first large collection of human skeletons in 1912?
What is the name of the person who created the first large collection of human skeletons in 1912?
What was the primary cause of the USAir Flight 427 crash in 1994?
What was the primary cause of the USAir Flight 427 crash in 1994?
Signup and view all the answers
How many bones does a newborn baby typically have?
How many bones does a newborn baby typically have?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the skeletal structure that includes the spine, rib cage, and skull?
What is the name of the skeletal structure that includes the spine, rib cage, and skull?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the skeletal structure that includes the shoulder girdle, arm, and hand bones?
What is the name of the skeletal structure that includes the shoulder girdle, arm, and hand bones?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these is NOT a characteristic used to help identify human remains?
Which of these is NOT a characteristic used to help identify human remains?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one noticeable difference between human bones and those of other animals?
What is one noticeable difference between human bones and those of other animals?
Signup and view all the answers
How can osteobiography contribute to understanding a person's life?
How can osteobiography contribute to understanding a person's life?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor primarily distinguishes the pelvis bone between males and females?
Which factor primarily distinguishes the pelvis bone between males and females?
Signup and view all the answers
What might a skeletal examination reveal about a person's athletic activities?
What might a skeletal examination reveal about a person's athletic activities?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a common nutritional deficiency indication found in bones?
Which of the following is NOT a common nutritional deficiency indication found in bones?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the general shape of the male chin compared to the female chin?
What is the general shape of the male chin compared to the female chin?
Signup and view all the answers
Which long bone is used in the formula for determining the height of a person?
Which long bone is used in the formula for determining the height of a person?
Signup and view all the answers
At what age does the coronal suture begin to close?
At what age does the coronal suture begin to close?
Signup and view all the answers
Which set of teeth erupts first according to the aging chart?
Which set of teeth erupts first according to the aging chart?
Signup and view all the answers
What significant detail did the medical examiner overlook during the examination of the remains in the Babes in the Woods case?
What significant detail did the medical examiner overlook during the examination of the remains in the Babes in the Woods case?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following bones has the head that fuses in the arm at the youngest age?
Which of the following bones has the head that fuses in the arm at the youngest age?
Signup and view all the answers
During facial reconstruction, which method is primarily used to add features to the skull?
During facial reconstruction, which method is primarily used to add features to the skull?
Signup and view all the answers
Which characteristic is used to identify a Caucasian skull?
Which characteristic is used to identify a Caucasian skull?
Signup and view all the answers
Which process is NOT a typical method for estimating the age of a person?
Which process is NOT a typical method for estimating the age of a person?
Signup and view all the answers
What common misconception exists regarding skull features across different races?
What common misconception exists regarding skull features across different races?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the average salary for a forensic anthropologist?
What is the average salary for a forensic anthropologist?
Signup and view all the answers
What was significant about the burial of Tsar Nicholas and his family?
What was significant about the burial of Tsar Nicholas and his family?
Signup and view all the answers
At what age does the femur head fuse to the shaft?
At what age does the femur head fuse to the shaft?
Signup and view all the answers
Which method can provide a greater variety of facial features during reconstruction?
Which method can provide a greater variety of facial features during reconstruction?
Signup and view all the answers
The femur is the longest bone in a human body.
The femur is the longest bone in a human body.
Signup and view all the answers
The shape of a person's pelvis is the primary factor in determining gender from a skeleton.
The shape of a person's pelvis is the primary factor in determining gender from a skeleton.
Signup and view all the answers
A U-shaped mandible, or jawbone, is a characteristic of human bones, differentiating them from animal bones.
A U-shaped mandible, or jawbone, is a characteristic of human bones, differentiating them from animal bones.
Signup and view all the answers
The radius and ulna bones are separate in the human arm, while in other mammals, they are fused together.
The radius and ulna bones are separate in the human arm, while in other mammals, they are fused together.
Signup and view all the answers
The study of bones and the human skeleton is known as "Osteobiology."
The study of bones and the human skeleton is known as "Osteobiology."
Signup and view all the answers
Forensic anthropologists are primarily involved in identifying remains in cases where familial DNA analysis is not immediately available.
Forensic anthropologists are primarily involved in identifying remains in cases where familial DNA analysis is not immediately available.
Signup and view all the answers
An adult human skeleton typically contains $206$ bones, but babies are born with fewer bones because some fuse together as they grow.
An adult human skeleton typically contains $206$ bones, but babies are born with fewer bones because some fuse together as they grow.
Signup and view all the answers
The skull is part of the appendicular skeleton, which also includes the shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle.
The skull is part of the appendicular skeleton, which also includes the shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle.
Signup and view all the answers
Thomas Todd collected the first significant collection of human skeletons in $1912$, but a major guide for identifying human remains was published in $1950$ by Wilton Krogman.
Thomas Todd collected the first significant collection of human skeletons in $1912$, but a major guide for identifying human remains was published in $1950$ by Wilton Krogman.
Signup and view all the answers
The crash of USAir Flight $427$ resulted in the death of all $132$ passengers on board, and the investigation revealed the cause was a faulty rudder that caused the plane to stall.
The crash of USAir Flight $427$ resulted in the death of all $132$ passengers on board, and the investigation revealed the cause was a faulty rudder that caused the plane to stall.
Signup and view all the answers
Explain how the study of osteobiography can be used to reveal a person's lifestyle and health history.
Explain how the study of osteobiography can be used to reveal a person's lifestyle and health history.
Signup and view all the answers
Describe the specific anatomical differences between the male and female pelvis, and explain why these differences are important for childbirth.
Describe the specific anatomical differences between the male and female pelvis, and explain why these differences are important for childbirth.
Signup and view all the answers
Explain how the study of bones can be used to determine the gender of a skeleton, listing additional features that can be used beyond the pelvis.
Explain how the study of bones can be used to determine the gender of a skeleton, listing additional features that can be used beyond the pelvis.
Signup and view all the answers
How can examining the bones of a person who practiced a specific sport or activity provide clues about their lifestyle? Give an example.
How can examining the bones of a person who practiced a specific sport or activity provide clues about their lifestyle? Give an example.
Signup and view all the answers
Discuss the significance of a person's dominant hand and how this might be reflected in their skeletal structure. What kind of changes might you see?
Discuss the significance of a person's dominant hand and how this might be reflected in their skeletal structure. What kind of changes might you see?
Signup and view all the answers
What are two significant contributions of Thomas Todd to the field of forensic anthropology?
What are two significant contributions of Thomas Todd to the field of forensic anthropology?
Signup and view all the answers
How does forensic anthropology assist in the identification of victims in cases involving mass graves?
How does forensic anthropology assist in the identification of victims in cases involving mass graves?
Signup and view all the answers
What challenges did forensic anthropologists face when identifying victims from the USAir Flight 427 crash site?
What challenges did forensic anthropologists face when identifying victims from the USAir Flight 427 crash site?
Signup and view all the answers
What role did Wilton Krogman play in the professionalization of forensic anthropology?
What role did Wilton Krogman play in the professionalization of forensic anthropology?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the significance of understanding the composition of the human skeleton in forensic anthropology.
Explain the significance of understanding the composition of the human skeleton in forensic anthropology.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Forensic Anthropology Overview
- Forensic anthropology is the study of human remains to solve criminal cases.
- Osteology is the study of bones and the human skeleton, a crucial aspect of forensic anthropology.
- Anthropologists analyze skeletal remains to determine characteristics, aiding in identifying individuals, especially before DNA matches are possible.
- Forensic anthropologists assist in various investigations, including war crimes, genocides, mass graves, plane crashes, and other criminal investigations.
History of Forensic Anthropology
- Thomas Todd, in 1912, assembled the first large collection of human skeletons, contributing to aging skeleton studies.
- Wilton Krogman, in 1939, published a guide to identifying human bones, and this guide helped standardize methods in the field.
- He also collaborated with the FBI to utilize anthropological expertise in identifying human remains, furthering the application of this field in criminal justice.
- By the 1950s and 60s, forensic anthropology gained a more prominent professional status, establishing this field within the scientific community.
Case Study: USAir Flight 427
- On September 8, 1994, USAir Flight 427 crashed near Pittsburgh, resulting in the death of 132 passengers.
- The crash investigation revealed a faulty rudder as the cause of the crash.
- The crash site was extremely hazardous, with numerous body parts scattered, posing immense challenges for forensic identification.
- Forensic anthropologists painstakingly sorted through the remains to identify the deceased, working meticulously to overcome these obstacles.
- The plane crash resulted in an extensive biohazard situation with thousands of body parts to classify.
Human Skeleton
- Individuals are born with about 300 bones, which fuse together to form 206 bones in adults.
- The human skeleton is organized into two groups: the axial skeleton (spine, rib cage, skull) and the appendicular skeleton (shoulder girdle, arm and hand bones, pelvic girdle, leg and toes bones).
Human vs. Animal Bones
- A primary step in identifying human remains involves ensuring they are indeed human.
- Distinguishing features include:
- Presence of a chin
- Minimal nasal projection
- U-shaped mandible
- Large incisors, small canines
- Separate radius and ulna
- Long and narrow femur
- Long and narrow foot
Osteobiography
- Osteobiography is a person's life story told through their bones.
- Bones reveal insight into a person's height, weight, gender, age, and health.
- Nutritional deficiencies, arthritis, and other health issues manifest in the bone structure and teeth.
- Dominant hand side will exhibit slightly longer bones.
- Specific wear and tear on joints can indicate past habitual activities, such as horseback riding.
Determining Gender
- The pelvis is the most reliable feature for determining skeletal gender.
- Females have wider, shallower pelvises in preparation for childbirth, whereas male skeletons are generally larger, with more pronounced muscle attachments, and a different pelvic shape.
- Pelvic factors like subpubic angle differentiate male and female pelvises.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy can result in visible scarring on the pelvic bone.
Specific Differences Between Male and Female Skeletons
- Male skulls tend to be larger, bumpier, with more pronounced brow ridges, and angular jawbones (90-degree angle).
- Female skulls are more vertical in the forehead, and the jawbone exhibits a more obtuse angle.
- Subpubic angle greater than 90 degrees usually indicates female (due to childbirth preparation).
- There are variations even within and between these classifications due to the diversity of the human population.
Case Study: Babes in the Woods
- In Stanley Park, Vancouver, in 1953, the skeletons of two boys were discovered.
- Initially misidentified as a female, the boys' identities were only confirmed through DNA testing in 1998, revealing they were brothers (Derek and David D'Alton), further supporting the importance of DNA confirmation which led to the identification of these brothers as the victims.
Determining Height
- Height can be estimated using long bones like the femur, tibia, radius, and humerus.
- Specific formulas based on bone length and gender are utilized, providing more accurate estimations compared to earlier techniques.
- This can include identifying specific factors like ethnicity and gender to refine the accuracy of the height predications.
- Measurement accuracy allows for close estimation (within a particular margin of error or margin of error).
Determining Age
- Age estimation involves evaluating certain bones and their maturity.
- More accurate estimations are achievable at younger ages. This means that factors, including the teeth, fusion, and growth plates, have different indicators for ages and can be used to more precisely pinpoint age.
- Characteristics including teeth, suture (fusion) marks on the skull, growth plates, and the pubic symphysis (bone) are utilized in the analysis.
- Factors affecting tooth eruption timing, such as diet and health, need to factor into the age estimation equations.
Aging of Teeth
- Tooth eruption and fall-out timelines are used to aid in age estimation.
- Various teeth have specific eruption and fall-out dates, and this can include detailed records and data to enhance the timelines, including dental charts.
Aging of Suture Marks
- Infants are born with soft skulls that gradually fuse.
- Suture marks are the remnants of this fusion process on the skull, showing how the bones come together and fuse.
- Three prominent suture areas include the coronal, sagittal, and lambdoidal sutures.
- Specific closure timelines guide age estimation, refining the time to estimate age.
Aging Due to Growth Plates
- Growth plates on long bones fuse at various stages of life, providing a timeline for age estimation. This is dependent on the stages of growth.
- Specific bone fusions (e.g., humerus, femur) occurring at different ages aid in the process. This can include providing a clearer timeline to pinpoint ages.
- Factors like nutrition and health can affect the timing.
Case Study: Romanovs
- In 1918, Tsar Nicholas II, his wife, and their five children were executed.
- Skeletal remains were buried in the forest, but were recovered and identified via anthropological techniques and DNA in the 1990's. This also supports the development in technology and scientific disciplines.
- The use of forensic anthropology helped to confirm the identities of these victims by matching their bones.
Race & Anthropology
- The determination of race from skeletal remains is less reliable due to movement and intermarriage of populations.
- Traditionally, anthropologists categorized people into three races (Caucasian, African, Asian), based on visual skeletal traits, though this has been reevaluated and replaced.
- Current studies emphasize the diversity of human populations and how the biological variations exist to a degree and can be inaccurate for racial classification.
Determining Race
- Historically, anthropologists used skeletal features like nose shape, eye orbit shape, and mouth shape to approximate race.
- These methods are problematic as they can be inaccurate, since they don't account for variations within populations, therefore failing to account for the diversity of human populations.
- Newer and more sophisticated methods are now used to estimate the biological ancestry.
Facial Reconstruction
- Facial reconstruction creates a likeness of a person based on their skeletal remains.
- Anthropologists use standard tissue depths to add clay and other materials as features for recreating a facial model.
- Modern computer programs provide dynamic methods for creating reconstructions, which show a more realistic method.
- Facial reconstruction techniques have substantially evolved since their development in the past, so the earlier methods were inaccurate compared to the present methods used today.
Case Study: Singer Island Jane Doe
- Skeletal remains were found in 1974 on Singer Island.
- The person appeared to have been tied to a tree, and had bullet holes.
- Anthropologists and dental records were used to approximate height, weight, and gender.
- In 2021, Jane Doe was identified as Susan Poole, a 15-year-old missing since 1972.
- The case highlights the importance of combining multiple forensic techniques to enhance accuracy and speed up identification.
Forensic Anthropologist Career Spotlight
- Forensic anthropologists identify human remains and determine cause of death.
- A deep understanding of human anatomy and skeletal features is necessary.
- Essential job duties include calculating height, age, gender, ethnicity, post-mortem interval, and cause of death (if possible).
- A Master's degree in Forensic Anthropology is commonly required for this career.
- Average salary is approximately $62,000 per year.
- Forensic anthropologists work in various settings, including crime labs, morgues, universities, and museums.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz provides an overview of forensic anthropology, focusing on its role in analyzing human remains to solve criminal cases. It covers the historical development of the field, key figures, and significant case studies like USAir Flight 427. Test your knowledge on the pivotal contributions and methodologies of forensic anthropologists.
