Applied Anthropology

Question 1

Forensic anthropology

Answer 1

a special sub-field of physical anthropology (the study of human remains) that involves applying skeletal analysis and techniques in archaeology to solving criminal cases.

Question 2

Forensic anthropology objectives

Answer 2

Biological profile (age, sex, ancestry, etc.), trauma information, post mortem interval, locate and recover buried or surface remains, and aid in determination of positive identification.

Question 3

Sex determination (pelvis)

Answer 3

Females have sub-pubic concavity, ventral arc, and a broad sciatic notch. All contribute to ease child birth.

Question 4

Sexual determination (cranial features)

Answer 4

Males have a large supraorbital ridge, larger mastoid process, and more prominent nuchal crest. Overall a larger cranium due to increased muscle mass.

Question 5

Sexual determination (other bones)

Answer 5

Larger femoral head diameter is an indication of a male.

Question 6

Age determination in subadults

Answer 6

Tooth eruption (first permanent premolar: around 6 years, second molar: 12 years, and third molar: 21 years) and epiphyseal closure (barrier between epiphysis and metaphysis, vowing from cartilage to bone).

Question 7

Age determination in adults

Answer 7

Auricular surface morphology (joining point of sacrum and ilium) and pubic symphysis morphology (joining of pubic bones).

Question 8

Ancestry determination

Answer 8

Shape of cranial vault, shape of nose, and cranial morphology.

Question 9

Individualization and identification

Answer 9

Facial reconstruction, photographic superimposition, radiography, forensic odontology, and DNA.

Question 10

Stature determination

Answer 10

Anatomical method (need entire skeleton and add dimensions for soft tissue) and mathematical method (use one limb bone and estimate stature using formula).

Question 11

Trauma determination

Answer 11

Blunt force, sharp force, parry fracture (ulnar fracture obtained by warding off a blow), and projectile trauma (entrance wound is smaller than exit wound and beveled inward).

Question 12

Paleopathology

Answer 12

the branch of science concerned with the pathological conditions found in ancient human and animal remains. Insight into cause of death of individual and their life. .

Question 13

Ancient disease

Answer 13

Divisions of labor (skeletal evidence of separation of labor between males and females), diet (vitamin deficiency or malnutrition), stress, occupation, evolution of medicine, and culture.