Slide 1

Unit 9 Anthropology & OdontologyStudents will explore characteristics of physical evidence and remains.Joseph Merrick, Proteus SyndromeJoseph Merrick Elephant Man skeleton

Forensic AnthropologyForensic Anthropology is a branch of anthropology which specializes in the human skeletal system for the purposes of identifying unknown remains. Forensic anthropologists study skeletal remains whose identities and circumstances of death are unknown or questionable. They analyze bodies that have decomposed, been badly burned, or have become mummified or skeletonized.

Forensic Anthropology Using forensics, the following questions can be answered: Are remains humanAre the remains of one individual or are they of mixed remainsWhen did death occurWas the body disturbed after deathWhat are the gender, age, and race of the individualWhat caused deathWhat kind of death was it homicide, suicide, accident, natural or undeterminedAre there any anatomical peculiarities, signs of disease, or old injuriesIndividuals height, body weight, physique can be estimated

Skeleton Terms to LabelVertebraePatellaRadiusHumerusRibsSternumCraniumMetatarsalsTarsalsMetacarpalsCarpalsPhalangesFemurFibulaTibiaUlnaHyoidXiphoid processPelvisVocabularyDeciduous teethDentition patternsAntemortemPostmortemCaucasoidNegroidMongoloidsDiaphysisEpiphysisAnteriorPosteriorDistal ProximalCrownNeck RootEnamelDentinPulp cavityCementumPeriodontal LigamentForensic anthropologyForensic odontology

Male and Female Skeletal Remains sexing the skeletons is based on the skull, jaw, brow ridge, pelvis and femur. Determining sex is crucial when analyzing unidentified human remains. The forensic anthropologist can make determination of sex by comparing basic characteristics of certain bones.This of course is not always accurate but for the most part male bones are larger in size to female bones and are so because of the addition muscle that may build up on the male body through adolescence and into adulthood

Male and Female Skeletal Remains: THE SKULL Skull has several key skull differences between male and femalesMale cranial mass is more blocky and massive compared to the females which are more rounder at the topOccipital protuberance (large projection on the back of head) is larger on males than female skullMastoid process on the male skull is larger and rough compared to the female skull that has a smaller and smooth process The occipital bone on the male skull has muscle lines and protuberances marked, where female skull tends not to have muscle attachment lines.Zygomatic bone is more pronounced on the male skull. The female Zygomatic arch does not extend as a ridge posterior of the external auditory meatus, as the males does extend. Forehead/frontal bone.. / males slant back where female have a round forehead Male and Female Skeletal Remains: THE SKULL

Male & Female Skeletal Remains: THE FACEThe brow ridge (supercilary-ridge above eyes) on a skeleton can help determine gender. Females has less pronounced or non existent brow ridge. Males have a pronounced and larger brow ridges, Can also be described as females brow ridge margin is sharper, while males have a round and dull ridge margin. Refer to previous pictureMale & Female Skeletal Remains: THE MANDIBLEMandible is more rounded on the female skull creating a somewhat pointed chin where the male has a more squared shape.The female mandible measures an obtuse angle The male measures an acute angle.Refer to slide #10Male & Female Skeletal Remains: THE PELVISThe pelvis or os pubis has important characteristics that help determine sex differentiation The pubic arch has a larger angle in the female than the male. Males have a narrower angle where the two pubic bones meet in front, measuring at 90 degrees or smallerFemales have wider angle where the two pubic bones meet in front, measuring greater than 90 degrees. Females also have a wider pelvic opening.Males have a narrower, heart-shaped pelvic inletFemales have an open, circular pelvic inletFrom an anterior view you will only see the coccyx bone, on the male from the same view you can see both the coccyx and the sacrum.Male & Female Skeletal Remains: THE PELVISThe pubic body is narrower in males than in the femalesMales usually do not have a ventral arc. The ventral arch is a bony ridge that is formed on the ventral (lower) side of the female os pubis. Female pelvic bone have a broader sciatic notch and raised auricular surface, where the male has a narrower sciatic notch and a flat auricular surface. Sacrum is straighter in the female and more curved in the malesAcetabulum- the socket in the pelvis- is larger in males.Male & Female Skeletal Remains: THE FEMURFemurThe length of the femur is generally longer in the male skeleton.The diameter of the femoral head longer and bigger in the male skeleton.The oblique length of the trochanters is longer in the male skeletonDetermining AncestryThere are three major anthropological racial groups based on observable skeletal features: Caucasoid, Negroid, and Mongoloids. It is important to note that there is more individual variation within races than there is general variation among races. With the increasing multiethnic and interracial society, many anthropologist do not feel confident making judgments concerning ethnicity/race of skeletal remains, but facial characteristics allow the examiner to narrow the field of identify. They eye socket (orbits), nasal bone, skull, teeth and chin are all examined. Caucasoid is a descriptor for people of European, Middle Eastern and East Indian descent.Eye sockets-oval orbitsNasal bone- long narrow nasal aperture (opening)Skull- narrow zygomatic arches and narrow mandible. Teeth-triangle palateCaucasoid Skull

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3641970910/sizes/m/in/set-72157619878693631/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3641970880/in/set-72157619878693631/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3641970842/in/set-72157619878693631/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3641162087/in/set-72157619878693631/

Determining AncestryNegroid is a descriptor for people of African, Aborigine, and Melanesian descent.Eye sockets-square orbitsNasal bone- wide nasal apertureSkull- pronounced zygomatic arch Teeth-Rectangle palateLong bones are longer and have less curvature and greater density.Negroid Skullhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3642241944/in/set-72157619878693631/http://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3642241916/in/set-72157619878693631/

Determining AncestryMongoloid is a descriptor for people of Asia, Native American, and Polynesian descentEye sockets-rounded orbitsNasal bone- rounded nasal apertureSkull- wide zygomatic archesTeeth-Parabolic palatePointed mandibleMongoloid Skullhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3747590190/in/set-72157619878693631/http://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3642213192/in/set-72157619878693631/http://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3642213216/in/set-72157619878693631/http://www.flickr.com/photos/39602184@N02/3641405097/in/set-72157619878693631/

Long BonesDiaphysis: shaft of boneEpiphysis: ends of bone (long bones)Bones fuse in four stagesStage 1: Nonunion with no epiphysis (no growth plate yet)Stage 2: nonunion with separate epiphysis (growth plate formed but not attached)Stage 3: partial union of the epiphysis (growth plate is beginning to attach)Stage 4: complete union of the epiphysis (growth plate is completely attached and smooth)

Determining AgeForensic anthropologist can estimate an individuals age at the time of death by examining biological changes that occurredAge can be estimated by when teeth are erupting, bones are growing, and epiphyses (growth plates) are forming and uniting, and closure of cranial sutures in the skull. Between the ages of 25-30 years of age, age estimation becomes more difficult. All age estimates are given in an age range to avoid excluding possibilities.

Fusing of BoneThe stages of bones fusing occurs at different ages in different bones as well as different in males and females. There are general age determinations using epiphyseal union of the clavicle and iliac crestClavicle: about 26 yrs. (males and females can differ pg 281)Iliac Crest: around 20 yrs (pg 281)Estimating age based on cranial sutures can be done by examining the sutures.Saggital suture: 26 yrs males, 29 yrs females (complete & smooth)Coronal Suture: 35 + in males, 50+ in females (all 3 sutures)Lambodial suture: Determining age using the os pubis can be done be examining the symphysis pubis.

HANDEDNESS Handedness: By examining both the right and the left of limb bones, it can be determined if a person was right or left-handed. The favoritism of one hand uses the muscles more on that limb, pulling on the periosteum and stimulating bone growth in thickness. Individuals overall build can be determined by the thickness of their bones and the characteristics of the bones at specific muscle attachment sites. This is due to the stimulation of the bone to thicken when stress is put on the periosteum. Repaired fractures can also be identified based on the growth of bone at the repair site. Region of the bodyBoneAgeArmHumerus bones in the head fused4-6Humerus bones in the head fused to shaft18-20Leg (femur)Greater trochanter first appears4Lesser trochanter first appears13-14Condyles join shaft20ShoulderClavicle and sternum close18-24PelvisPubis, ischium are almost completely united7-8Ileum, ischium, and pubic bones fully ossified20-25All segments of sacrum united25-30SkullLambdoidal suture closeBegins 21 ends 30Sagittal suture close32Coronal suture close50Injury & Disease Patterns of BoneDisease, injury and birth defects are also revealed in the bonesSpina bifidaArthritisFractures before and after death occurredBones of a deceased person break differently compared to the bones of a live personHealing at the edge of a fracture indicates injuries occurred during life.

Injury Patterns to BoneCause of deathObviousMarks on skeletonStab woundsBullet holesBlows to the headMurder weapons can leave a distinctive mark and can be matched

NAME AND NUMBER DECIDUOUS (BABY) AND PERMANENT TEETHA. Deciduous teeth - most dentists today use a modified version of the Universal Numbering System for children, with letters instead of teeth numbers. The primary teeth are designated by upper case letters A through T, with A being the patient's upper right second primary molar and T being the lower right second primary molar.

NAME AND NUMBER DECIDUOUS (BABY) AND PERMANENT TEETHB. Permanent teeth - In the universal tooth numbering system, tooth number 1 is the patient's upper right third molar, on the right side of the mouth in the upper (maxillary) jaw. Numbering of teeth continues along the upper teeth toward the front and across to the last molar tooth back on the top left side (number 16). The tooth numbering continues by assigning teeth numbers descending to the lower left third molar (number 17) and follows the lower (mandibular) jaw up to the tooth farthest back on the bottom right side of the mouth (number 32). All teeth that should be there are numbered, including those teeth that have been removed for any reason or have not erupted yet (e.g. wisdom teeth).

Total numbers of TeethAn adult has the potential to have the following total types of teeth:Incisors: 8Canines: 4Premolars: 8Molars: 12EMPLOY DENTITION PATTERNS AS A MEANS FOR BITE MARK IDENTIFICATIONThe diameter of the injury typically ranges from 25-40 mm. Often a central area of bruising can be seen within the marks from the teeth. This extravascular bleeding is caused by pressure from the teeth as they compress the tissue inward from the perimeter of the mark.EMPLOY DENTITION PATTERNS AS A MEANS FOR BITE MARK IDENTIFICATIONDescription of the Prototypical Human BitemarkA circular or oval (doughnut) (ring-shaped) patterned injury consisting of two opposing (facing) symmetrical, U-shaped arches separated at their bases by open spaces. Following the periphery of the arches are a series of individual abrasions, contusions and/or lacerations reflecting the size, shape, arrangement and distribution of the class characteristics of the contacting surfaces of the human dentition.Variations of the Prototypical Bitemark - Variations include additions, subtractions, and distortionsEMPLOY DENTITION PATTERNS AS A MEANS FOR BITE MARK IDENTIFICATION

Computer reconstruction of bite mark, 2003Scientists from the Institute of Forensic Medicine collaborated with police in 2003 to solve a triple homicide. Three women were found beaten to death in an apartment outside of Zrich, Switzerland. One victim had a bite mark on her shoulder. After creating dental casts and using 3-D imaging technology to recreate the bite sequence, scientists were able to prove to a jury that the suspect made the mark. He was found guilty.Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bernhttp://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bite+mark+evidence&form=QBIR&qs=AS&sk=&pq=bite+mark+evi&sp=1&sc=1-13&adlt=strict#focal=46dee412a4aa0c1515c799929f6b5bc6&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greggoldendds.com%2Fimages%2Fshoulderali.jpg