Anthropology/Entomology Flashcards
Osteology
Study of bones
Ossification centers
Places where bone growth begins
Clandestine Grave
The area where a body has been purposely buried with the intent to disguise the location
GPR
Ground penetrating radar
Taphonomic Context
The immediate environment and surroundings where a body is found
Cortical bone
Outer dense bone layer
Trabecular bone
Spongy bone
Pubic symphysis
Area on the pelvis where the right and left pelvis halves join in the front of the body
Associated female traits
Broad, shallow sciatic notch and a u-shaped subpubic angle
Disarticulated
When joints are no longer held together with soft tissue
Plastic deformation
Amount of warping in bone fragments
Equifinality
Having the same effect or result from different events
Forensic entomology is based on
Estimation of time since death
Screening area
Area where material from the grave and surrounding area is sifted through to reveal human remains
Dental formula for a human child?
2.1.2
Most reliable and specific indicator of the age of adult skeletal remains?
Pubic symphysis
How many bones does an adult have on average?
206
Allometry
The ability to estimate stature based on the proportional relationships between sizes of body parts
What is one way that insects can indicate that an animal was killed by a hunter as opposed to a disease or illness?
Finding many larger, older maggots in locations far from natural orifices
What features are unique to human skeletal structures?
-Separate radius/ulna bones
-Broad,short, bowl shaped pelvis
-Flat and blade shaped scapula
What skull feature is the most distinguishable among individual races?
Nasal opening
What things make dentition individualizing?
-Arrangement
-Alignment
-Missing teeth, fillings, etc
Extra unusual class level dental features
-Odd spacing
-Diastema (tooth gap)
-Extra bulge on back of molar
-Small incisors
How do forensic odontologists identify an individual?
-Panoramic X-rays
-Compare to Known
Things forensic odontologists look at when comparing teeth?
-Crown shape/thickness
-Cavities & Abrasion
-Root shape
-Pulp chamber shape & size
-Pulp stones, cysts, ostitis
-Dental restoration
What’s something to take into consideration regarding x-rays?
There may be a significant time gap due to the individual not having been to the dentist in a while antemortem
Odontometrics
Bite Mark Analysis
Questions asked by a forensic entomologist
How long have they been dead?
How long have they been infested by fly larvae?
Where have they been?
Who have these bugs been eating?
Which flies indicate active decay?
-Blow flies
-Flesh flies
-House flies
Which flies indicate advanced decay?
-House flies
-Scuttle flies
-Cheese Skippers
Beetles and their common association
-Carrion beetles (Meat)
-Checkered beetles (Meat)
-Rove beetles (Maggot predators)
-Skin beetles (Late Decay; eat hair, skin)
Myiasis
Flies inhabiting living tissue
Myiasis is typically the result of…
Abuse & neglect
What are some techniques used to locate remains?
Visual detection
GPR
Cadaver dogs
Metal detector
Ground penetrometer
Beetles that are attracted to corpses to predate larvae/maggots
Rove beetles
Beetles that are a sign of late-stage decay; feed on hair
Skin beetles
Difference between male and female skulls
Male skulls have more prominent brow ridges and larger mastoid processes than females
Common features among those of European descent?
Aviator orbital shape
Long/narrow nasal opening
Smooth incisors
Flat cranium frontal plane
Common features among those of African descent?
Square orbital shape
Wide, guttered nasal opening
Smooth incisors
Outward projecting cranium frontal plane
Common features among those of Asian descent?
Circular orbital shape
Small, rounded nasal opening
Shoveled interior incisors
Flat or outward projecting cranium
Blunt force will leave what marks on bones?
Impact marks and fragmented bones
Sharp force will leave what marks on bones?
Cutting marks or patterns
A gunshot wound will leave what mark on bones?
A distinct pattern via projectile
Postmortem breaks tend to ____ while perimortem breaks tend to ____
shatter; splinter
Clean breaks are most often _____
perimortem
What does a blowfly look like?
Shiny green/blue
What does a flesh fly look like?
White and black
What does a scuttle fly look like?
Very small and thin legs
What do checkered beetles look like?
Shiny carapaces
