Ethical Responsibilities

Question 1

What are ethics?

Answer 1

codes of conduct/guidelines for proper behavior within a discipline or profession

Question 2

What are morales?

Answer 2

your personal sense of right and wrong

Question 3

What are the three ethical principles that guide forensic anthropologists?

Answer 3

Respect, Confidentiality, Honesty

Question 4

Respect

Answer 4

respect for the descendent, respect for loved ones and family

Question 5

Confidentiality

Answer 5

not talking about case details without permission from law enforcement

Question 6

Honesty

Answer 6

be aware of what analysis can and cannot do; don’t be more certain of something than the science can support

Question 7

What are the two components of honesty?

Answer 7

1. recognizing the difference between evidence and opinion
2. accurate assessment of levels of certainty

Question 8

Evidence

Answer 8

the actual bones

Question 9

Opinion

Answer 9

assessment and analysis of bone

Question 10

Are forensic anthropologist allowed to give their opinion in court?

Answer 10

Yes, they are expert witnesses

Question 11

What are the three types of opinions?

Answer 11

speculation, possible, probably

Question 12

Speculation

Answer 12

based on no data or very little data

Question 13

Possible

Answer 13

a little more backing but not likely; no specific support

Question 14

Probably

Answer 14

well supported (generally and in application)

Question 15

When giving opinions DONT,

Answer 15

attach levels of probability to opinions or use statistics when describing numeric characteristics

Question 16

when giving opinions DO,

Answer 16

use word qualifiers instead of probability levels and talk in terms of consistency and inconsistency

Question 17

Why are personal ethics important?

Answer 17

have to decide, based on your morales, if you can work ethically given circumstances

Question 18

What external considerations may imapact person ethics?

Answer 18

political and social aspects in foreign countries,
working in conditions that may affect quality of work,
cases that may result in the death penalty,
danger to the investigators by persons opposed to the uncovering of the crime

Question 19

What emotional considerations may impact personal ethics?

Answer 19

the rights of the victim’s families (accurate answers, customs),
justice from an investigation may be distressing to innocent people (be aware in how and when you speak about cases)

Question 20

What is the final report?

Answer 20

a written document that states the results of the skeletal analysis

Question 21

Who is the final report provided to?

Answer 21

medical examiners, coroners, law enforcement officials, and other legal authorities

Question 22

What is important to keep in mind when writing the final report?

Answer 22

the audience (may be unfamiliar with technical wording)

Question 23

What are the 2 parts of the final report?

Answer 23

summary and methods & results

Question 24

What is the methods & results section comprised of?

Answer 24

1. background info
2. general condition of remains
3. inventory
4. biological profile
5. pathology, trauma, and skeletal anomalies
6. recommendations for further testing
7. references
8. appendixes (chain of custody, intake, xray, FORDISC, photos, etc)

Question 25

What three things are included in the biological profile?

Answer 25

1. estimate
2. methods and results
3. citations

Question 26

True or False: Every court case has to go to trial.

Answer 26

False (dismissed, cold case, no ID, deals, etc)

Question 27

What are the steps to giving an expert testimony?

Answer 27

pretrial meetings,
establishing qualifications,
direct examination,
cross-examination,
(possible redirect examination)

Question 28

Why do forensic anthropologist have to establish their qualifications in court?

Answer 28

Why should they deserve this privilege?

Question 29

What should be reviewed when establishing qualifications?

Answer 29

education, background, publications, certifications, and experience

Question 30

Direct examination

Answer 30

by the prosecuting attorney; forensic anthropologists presents evidence and opinions

Question 31

Cross examination

Answer 31

by the opposing attorney, attempts to find inconsistencies with the testimony given in direct examination (goal is to introduce doubt)