Anthropology

Question 1

What are the four types of cases that may require the work of a forensic anthropologist?

Answer 1

Advanced decomp, burned beyond recognition, fragmented, co-mingled

Question 2

Forensic anthropology vs archeology

Answer 2

Anthropology - to collect and analyze physical evidence to solve forensic problems
Archeology - to study material remains that may have forensic relations

Question 3

5 ways that a potential burial site of human remains can be identified

Answer 3

Aerial or infrared photography, use of metal detectors, ground-penetrating radar, GIS (Geographical Information Systems, cadaver dogs

Question 4

Who is the father of forensic anthropology?

Answer 4

Dr. Thomas Dwight

Question 5

What is the main responsibly of the Central Identification Lab in Hawaii?

Answer 5

To identify U.S. soldiers from twentieth century wars

Question 6

What are two ways in which human remains in outdoor settings can be altered aside from decay and decomp?

Answer 6

Scattering of body parts by coyotes and other scavengers, changes in the body due to environment (weather)

Question 7

What is the Forensic Data Bank? Where was it founded? What is its purpose?

Answer 7

Founded at the University of Tennessee. It is a database that has human skeletal measurements

Question 8

What are the seven main categories that can potentially be identified by a forensic anthropologist?

Answer 8

Age, sex, race, height, ancestry, pathology, manner and cause of death

Question 9

Which of the two main categories are the hardest to identify?

Answer 9

Race and ancestry

Question 10

What three other forensic specialties usually work closely with the anthropologist?

Answer 10

Entomology, odontology, pathology

Question 11

What are the four methods with which a body can be CONCLUSIVELY IDENTIFIED?

Answer 11

DNA analysis, fingerprints, x-rays, uniquely identifiable congenital defect or prosthetic

Question 12

How many years does a body have to be buried to be considered “ancient”?

Answer 12

50+

Question 13

What three types of tissues make up skeletal remains?

Answer 13

Bones, teeth, cartilage

Question 14

Bone disease are often the result of these three conditions

Answer 14

Infection, old age, inadequate nutrition

Question 15

Periostitis

Answer 15

Inflammation and swelling of sheath surrounding bone

Question 16

Osteorthritis

Answer 16

Normal wear and tear - what everyone gets

Question 17

Osteoporosis

Answer 17

Bones losing calcium and becoming fragile

Question 18

Formative changes

Answer 18

Changes that happen during formation and growth

Question 19

Degenerative changes

Answer 19

Deterioration of a bone because of disease, age, and normal wear and tear

Question 20

What are two bacterial disease that may also show artifacts on the bone?

Answer 20

Tuberculosis and syphilis

Question 21

The most informative bone to examine to help determine gender is the

Answer 21

Pelvis

Question 22

What are the two main anatomical differences seen in this bone between males and females?

Answer 22

Males - short, arch is V-shaped, smaller opening
Females - long, arch is U-shaped, larger opening

Question 23

Can height be determined from examining just one bone?

Answer 23

Yes

Question 24

What are the two main tools that anthropologists use to take bone measurements?

Answer 24

Osteometric board, calipers

Question 25

Can an anthropologist determine whether someone is left or right handed? How?

Answer 25

Yes. More degenerative changes can be seen on dominant hand

Question 26

In gunshot wounds, the exit would is always larger than the entrance wound

Answer 26

True

Question 27

Anthropological evidence of blunt force trauma includes

Answer 27

Fractures, fragmented bones, impact marks

Question 28

Describe the three types of bone fractures

Answer 28

Simple: skin not penetrated
Compound: broken bones protrude through open skin would
Compression: crushed bone