82
Luis A. Sanchez, MD Chief Medical Examiner Medical Examiner System: How Does the Anthropologist Fit In? Jennifer C. Love, PhD, D-ABFA Tercer Seminario Internacional de Antropologia Forense
Luis A. Sanchez, MD Chief Medical Examiner
Medical Examiner System: How Does the Anthropologist Fit In?
Jennifer C. Love, PhD, D-ABFA
Tercer Seminario Internacional de Antropologia Forense
Forensic Anthropology Division
Skeletal Analysis
Anthropology Division
Scene Response
Identification
Forensic Anthropology Division
Skeletal Analysis
Anthropology Division Scene Response
Identification
Organ Tissue Procurement
Liaison
Epidemiologist
Mass Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
Forensic Anthropology Division
Skeletal Analysis
Anthropology Division
Scene Response
Identification
Before the Anthropology Division
• Investigations – Triaging all death calls – Taking death reports – Responding to scenes – Requesting all medical records – Submit finger prints – Requesting dental radiographs and coordinating the
odontologist – Searching for next-of-kin – Processing all unclaimed decedents – Processing all unidentified decedents
ID Unit
• Sub group within investigations – Process unidentified decedents
– Process unclaimed decedents
Forensic Anthropology Division
• 2006 Forensic Anthropology Division created
• Responsibility of unidentified decedents transferred to anthropology – Unidentified Decedent Files
• ~425 records (1957-2006)
– Incoming Unidentified Decedents
Unidentified Decedent Records
• Files date to 1957 • Developed Review SOP
– Complete files – police, autopsy, dental charts – National Crime Information Center – National Database for Unidentified Decedents (NamUS) – Submit DNA to national database – Finger prints submitted
• Local law enforcement • National law enforcement • Immigration law enforcement
– HCIFS website
ID Successes
• Low hanging fruit – Record review
Record Review
– Out-of-county case – Local police department handled
decedent prior to death – Pedestrian struck by motor vehicle
(2 days later) – Decedent transferred as unknown,
case worked by state trooper – State trooper canvassed local
police department with decedent photo
– Decedent recognized and police record update
– MEO never notified
ID Success
Record review
Finger print resubmission
Finger Prints
• ML86-1227 – Finger prints scanned and
sent to all agencies
– Sheriff’ latent print unit identified decedent
• ML89-7911 – Finger prints scanned and
sent to all agencies
– FBI Latent Processing Unit matched print to Oklahoma criminal record
ID Success
• Record review
• Finger print resubmission
• Circumstantial Identification
Circumstantial Identification
• Family contacted HCIFS – Brother missing since 1983 – 16 year old, Hispanic, male – Atypical ear, dental work – Abandoned in vehicle
• Unidentified Decedent – Match physical description – Match circumstances – No antemortem record or
decedent DNA sample – Visual identification
Circumstantial Identification
• June 7, 1975 • Unidentified female pulled from
the Brazos River • Autopsy
– White female – 5’5”, 120 lbs – Long light colored hair – Surgically absent spleen – Likely had at least one child – Well-manicured hand and feet nails
painted a deep red color
Circumstantial Idenfication
• June 16, 1975 body release to Austin County
• Held in metal casket above ground for several months
• Buried in Austin County • Austin County remains
active in the case, but no leads
Circumstantial Identification
• June 29, 2009 body exhumed
• Skull, femurs and humeri collected – Skull – facial
reconstruction
– Long bones - DNA
• DNA unsuccessful
Circumstantial Identification
• June 7, 2011
• National news – mass grave in Liberty County
• Family resumes search for missing loved one
• Recognizes facial approximation on TX-DPS website
Missing Person
• 22 yo, White female • 5’5”, 110 lbs • Long blond hair • Splenectomy following MVA • 1 son • Recently moved to Texas City, TX • Last spoke to father June 4, 1975 • Cosmetologist • Signature finger nail color - deep red
Scientific Identification
PA75-052
Missing Person
• Finger prints
• Dental radiographs
• Skeletal radiographs
• DNA - Family reference samples
ID Success
• Record review
• Finger print resubmission
• Circumstantial
• Website
HCIFS Website
Website
Website
• June 6, 2006 – Multiple gun shot wound victim found in parking
lot of apartment complex – No ID – Girlfriend – decedent “Tony” and he stays in Apt
159 – Finger prints fail
• Post case on website – Scar, marks, tattoos
» Abnormal fingernail left index finger
Website
• January 13, 2011 – Family members in
Louisiana find decedent on website
– Identified by visual identification and description of abnormal nail bed
Forensic Anthropology Division
• Unidentified Decedent Files – ~425 records (1957-2006)
• Incoming Unidentified Decedents
Incoming Cases
• Submit finger prints
• Media release – News Router
• Submit DNA sample
Media Release
• September 11, 2010 – Skeletal remains
– Watch, belt buckle and shoes in vicinity
– Biological profile • W/M/18-25 years, 67-73”
• Dental restorations
Media Release
• November 29, 2010 – Unidentified decedent flier
release to media
• November 30, 2010 – Decedent’s mother called –
son missing for 5 years
• January 14, 2011 – Identification confirmed by
DNA
Media Release
• September 4, 2007 – Decedent found floating in
Brays Bayou
– Finger print comparison negative
– September 19, 2007 media release, no leads
• Second media release targeting Spanish media
Media Release
• Member of church recognized decedent
• Decedent recent immigrant, no family in US
• DNA sample obtained from mother with assistance of consulate
• Decedent returned to Guatemala
Identification Success
• Few individuals dedicated to processing unidentified decedents
• Submitting and resubmitting finger prints
• DNA submissions
• Listing decedents on public websites
• Releasing cases to the media
Identification Success
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Unknowns
Forensic Anthropology Division
Skeletal Analysis
Anthropology Division
Scene Response
Identification
Scene Response
• On-Call Schedule – 24 hours/ 7 days a week – Surface Remains
– Fire Remains
– Buried Remains
Scene Response
0
5
10
15
20
25
2010 2011 2012
Buried
Fire
Surface
2010 – 32 scenes 2011 – 30 scenes
2012 – 25 scenes
Surface Scene
Surface Scene
Surface Scene
Skeletal Scene
Skeletal Cases
Surface Scene
Fire Scene
Fire Scene
Fire Scene
Fire Scene
Fire Scene
Fire Scene - Car
Buried Scene
Buried Scene
Buried Scene
Buried Scene
Forensic Anthropology Division
Skeletal Analysis
Anthropology Division
Scene Response
Identification
Skeletal Case
Non-Skeletal Case
Is the story consistent with the trauma?
Blunt Force Trauma
• Type of fracture
• Fracture distribution pattern
• Direction of load
Direction of Stress
Butterfly Fracture
T
C
Transverse Fracture-Signature of Tension
Transverse Fracture-Signature of Compression
Signatures of Compression
Oblique Fracture – Twisting Mechanism
Buckle Fracture
Sharp Force Trauma
• What are the characteristics of the weapon?
Striation Patterns
Serrated Blade Smooth Blade
Serrated and Smooth
Typical Casework
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2010
2011
2012
Summary
• Anthropologist in the Medical Examiner Office – Unidentified cases
– Scene response
– Trauma analysis
