UNIT 3: FORENSIC
ANTHROPOLOGY & IMPRESSIONS
Objective: Identifying Male vs Female
DO NOW: What differences in bones do you think exist between males and females?
If you missed the quiz on Friday see me now
What is Forensic Anthropology?
The field of study that deals with the analysis of human skeletal remains resulting from unexplained deaths
Development of BoneBones begin as cartilage then harden to form bone (ossification)
206 Bones in Human Body
Joint- location where bones meetCartilage- found at ends of bones and protect boneLigaments- connects bones to bonesTendons- connect muscle to bone
Basic BonesSKULL
Contains bones of the cranium and face
Basic BonesHUMERUS
Upper arm boneULNA & RADIUS
Forearm bones
Basic BonesFEMUR
Thigh boneTIBIA & FIBULA
Lower leg bones
Basic Bones - PelvisSACRUMTriangular
bone at the end of the
spine
COXALHip Bones
Male or Female?Female- Skeleton is much smootherMale- Skeleton is thicker, rougher,
bumpier Muscles are more developed so
where they attach need to be stronger
ex. knee
M vs F: OrbitsM: square F: round
Male Female
M vs F: The JawM: square – 90 degF: round, V-shape - >90 deg
Male Female
M vs F: Frontal BoneM: low and slopingF: high and rounded
Male Female
M vs F: Occipital bone (back of skull)
M: bump present F: bump absent
Male Female
M vs F: Shape of Pelvic Cavity
M: Heart shaped, narrow F: Oval shaped, wider
M vs F: Subpubic Angle
M: 50 – 82 deg F: 90 deg MALE
FEMALE
M vs F: SacrumM: long, narrow, curves inwardF: short, broad, curves outward
MALE
FEMALE
Activity Complete Identifying male or female activity
Closure Q’s from Activity: Case #1:
Round eye orbits, Subpubic angle of 103°
Case #2:Narrow pelvis, Sloping foreheadCase #3:Smooth skull, Sacrum curves outward
Objective: Determine Gender of Bones
DO NOW: What is the shape of the pelvic cavity in females and why?
Complete the lab male vs female skeleton
Objective: Determining Age
DO NOW: Why are male bones rougher than females?
Determining Age
Can determine age by looking at certain bones for cartilage still remaining
Age: Infant or Not?
Age: Sutures are where
skull bones connectLamboidal suture (back of head)
– 30 yrsCoronal suture (front of head) –
50 yrs
Age- Epiphysis• The presence of a line that marks
where cartilage is replaced by bone
• The age of completion varies for each bone
Young (unfused) older (fused) even older (fused)
Age: TeethHave deciduous teeth fallen out?Have wisdom teeth erupted?
Age When the head of a long
bone has fused with the shaft it can help determine age
Example:Humerus head fused: 4 – 6 yrsHumerus head fused to shaft:
18 - 20
Case StudyComplete the snaggletooth killer case study
Objective: Video case study
DO NOW: If the skull is completely fused what does that indicate about the age of the individual?
Objective: video case study
www.mrpalermo.com (first 48)
Complete the case review sheet
Objective: Determine Height of Victim
DO NOW: How can teeth be used to determine age?
****Hand in snaggletooth killer case study
Height Measuring bones can help to
approximate height Gender and race should be
considered if known
Determining Height
Female tibia (cm) x 2.53 + 72.57 = height (cm)radius (cm) x 3.87 + 73.50 = height (cm)
Male tibia (cm) x 2.39 + 81.68 = height (cm)radius (cm) x 3.65 + 80.40 = height (cm)
A 41.3 cm Caucasoid male tibia was found in a wooded area. How tall was the this person?
41.3 cm x 2.39 + 81.68 = 180 cm (5’-11”)
Lab: Complete Lab on Determining Height Work in groups of 2 or 3
To convert cm to feet:Multiply by 2.54 then divide by 12
Lab: Determining Height
Do Now: What is the largest bone in the human body?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8IHPq9VgWI
Finish Lab Today
Objective: Facial Reconstruction
DO NOW: What other useful things can be determined by bones besides age, height and sex?
Race (ancestry) Can be difficult due to
interracial people so not as significant as other factors
Best determined with skull and femur
Three categories are Caucasian, African, and Asian
Mongoloid/Asian Skull
Caucasian/European SkullNegroid/African Skull
Facial Reconstruction Size and shape of bones vary
in people Facial markers are placed on
the skull and clay is applied to follow the height of the markers
Today computer programs can do this
Programs can adjust features and age a person
Facial Reconstruction
Facial Reconstruction
Facial Reconstructionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF1cVAb0J2Q
DNA EvidenceBones contain little nuclear DNA but do contain mitochondrial DNACan compare mitochondrial DNA with living relatives on the mother's side to identify bones
Skeletal Trauma Analysis Forensic anthropologists determine if
damage to bones occurred before or after death
Antimortem- before death Perimortem- at or around time of
death Postmortem- after death
There are distinctions between damage caused by weapons and those created by the environment after death
Antimortem damage
Perimortem damageEx. Sword wound
Postmortem Damage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGcN9_Gd5zQ
Types of Trauma
Sharp-force trauma, blunt force trauma, and gunshot wounds have distinct patterns
Sharp force trauma
Blunt force Trauma
Gunshot wound
The Body Farmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qZmLo8qIx4
Objective: case study John Wayne Gacy
Do Now: Can DNA be found in bones?
Objective: case study John Wayne Gacy
Complete case study on john wayne gacy
Objective: Video Case Study John Wayne Gacy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPMHsaT88Sk
Closure Q’sHow many people did he kill?Why was he called the killer clown?Did he target a particular type of victim? If so what type?