Forensic notes
Skeletal Analysis:
Initial treatment and examination of skeleton; sexing the skeleton and stature.
Initial treatment:
Reconstruction: pieces go back to original location. Example: Facial skujl reconstruction
Determining commingling and MNI: Minimum number of individuals
Determining MNI:
1. Duplication: no 2 bones of same type and side are present.
2. Consistency in size: ensuring that bones within individuals are same proportions
Definitions
Anthropometry: Measuring both living and dead
Osteometry: Measurement of skeleton and its parts
Anatomical landmarks of skull: Precise points in the skeleton that are used for measurements. Example: Femur
Measuring Tools
Sliding Calipers: Simple measurements referencing points that are close together and when the contours of skull don interfere.
Spreading Caliper: Measurements dealing with cranial vault points on skull that can’t be taken in a straight line.
Osteometric Board: Measures long/large bones.
Tape Measure: Measure circumferences of long bone shafts.
Fordisc 3.0
Computer program utilizing discriminant functions based on modern populations
24 cranial, 10 mandibular, 44 postcranial measurements.
Sex, ancestry and stature
Program developed at University of Tennessee
Only tarsal that is measured is the calcaneus
Forensic Report
Always a quick summary.
Narrative is the analyzation of remains found (Agency)
Biological profile contains 5 categories
1. Age
2. Sex
3. Stature
4. Anomalies
5. Individualizing traits (fragment bones, tumors, metopic suture, dental markings)
Trauma
1. Ante mortem: (before death)
2. Perimortem: (At or time around death)
3. Post mortem: (After death)
Ante mortem has evidence of healing bones
Perimortem has no signs of healing bones/flesh because of the environment
Time since death (sometimes) anthropologist doesn’t apply. Very rare if the anthropologist gives time of death
Identification (if asked) depending on what is provided
Anthropologist
Initial treatment and examination of skeleton; sexing the skeleton and stature.
Initial treatment:
Reconstruction: pieces go back to original location. Example: Facial skujl reconstruction
Determining commingling and MNI: Minimum number of individuals
Determining MNI:
1. Duplication: no 2 bones of same type and side are present.
2. Consistency in size: ensuring that bones within individuals are same proportions
Definitions
Anthropometry: Measuring both living and dead
Osteometry: Measurement of skeleton and its parts
Anatomical landmarks of skull: Precise points in the skeleton that are used for measurements. Example: Femur
Measuring Tools
Sliding Calipers: Simple measurements referencing points that are close together and when the contours of skull don interfere.
Spreading Caliper: Measurements dealing with cranial vault points on skull that can’t be taken in a straight line.
Osteometric Board: Measures long/large bones.
Tape Measure: Measure circumferences of long bone shafts.
Fordisc 3.0
Computer program utilizing discriminant functions based on modern populations
24 cranial, 10 mandibular, 44 postcranial measurements.
Sex, ancestry and stature
Program developed at University of Tennessee
Only tarsal that is measured is the calcaneus
Forensic Report
Always a quick summary.
Narrative is the analyzation of remains found (Agency)
Biological profile contains 5 categories
1. Age
2. Sex
3. Stature
4. Anomalies
5. Individualizing traits (fragment bones, tumors, metopic suture, dental markings)
Trauma
1. Ante mortem: (before death)
2. Perimortem: (At or time around death)
3. Post mortem: (After death)
Ante mortem has evidence of healing bones
Perimortem has no signs of healing bones/flesh because of the environment
Time since death (sometimes) anthropologist doesn’t apply. Very rare if the anthropologist gives time of death
Identification (if asked) depending on what is provided
Anthropologist