unit 3: forensic anthropology & impressions

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?