Forensic Anthropology Flashcards
What are the four types of cases that may require the work of a forensic anthropologist?
- Advanced decomposition
- Burned beyond recognition
- Fragmented remains
- Comingled remains
What is the difference between forensic anthropology and forensic archeology?
Forensic anthropology is the study of skeletonized remains (bones, teeth and cartilage); forensic archeology is the study of the artifacts (such as jewelry and clothing) found with the remains
What are 5 ways that a potential burial site of human remains can be identified?
- aerial or infrared photography
- metal detectors
- ground penetrating radar
- satellite data (geographical information systems)
- cadaver dogs
Who is considered the “Father of Forensic Anthropology”?
Thomas Dwight
What is the main responsibility of the Central Identification Lab in Hawaii?
Identify US war dead from all 20th century and current (1900-present) conflicts
In addition to decay and decomposition, what are two ways in which human remains in outdoor settings can be altered?
- environmental conditions (weather)
- scattering and altering of remains by carnivores (such as coyotes)
What is the Forensic Data Bank? Where was it founded? What is its purpose?
The FDB was founded and is stored at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. It is a database that stores measurements of bony landmarks from both known and unknown individuals. The purpose is to help identify unidentified remains by comparing them to known individuals to help identify race, gender, age, etc.
What are the seven main categories that can potentially be identified by a forensic anthropologist?
- age
- gender
- race
- ancestry
- height
- pathology
- cause and manner of death
Which TWO of the seven, (1. age 2. gender, 3. race, 4. ancestry, 5. height, 6. pathology, 7. cause and manner of death) are the most difficult to classify?
- race
- ancestry
What three other forensic specialties usually work closely with the anthropologist?
- forensic pathologist
- forensic entomologist
- forensic odontologist
What are the four methods with which a body can be CONCLUSIVELY IDENTIFIED?
- DNA
- fingerprints
- X-rays
- uniquely identifiable congenital defect/prosthetic limb/surgical implant
How many years does a body have to be buried to be considered “ancient” in forensic terms?
50 years and older
What 3 types of tissue make up skeletonized remains?
- bones
- teeth
- cartilage
Bone diseases are often the result of these three conditions:
- infection
- old age
- inadequate nutrition
Define the following:
Periostitis:
inflammation of the sheath that surrounds the bone; can be chronic in certain types of cancer
Define the following:
Osteoarthritis:
normal wear and tear on the bones and joints that happens with age
Define the following:
Degenerative changes:
when more bone tissue is worn down than produced; found in all adults; more pronounced in middle age and old age
Define the following:
Osteoporosis:
disease found in older adults where minerals are leached from the bone; makes the bone very porous and weak; more pronounced in women
Define the following:
Formative changes:
when more bone tissue is produced than wears down; found in children and young adults
What are two bacterial diseases that may also show artifacts on the bone?
- tuberculosis
- syphilis
The most informative bone to examine to help determine gender is the —-.
pelvis
What are the two main anatomical differences seen in the pelvis bone between males and females?
- pelvic opening is large in females; small in males
- public symphysis is long and u-shaped in females; short and v-shaped in males
Can height be determined from examining just one bone?
YES!
What are the two main tools that anthropologists use to take bone measurements?
- osteometric board
- tree calipers
Can an anthropologist determine whether someone is left or right handed? How?
Yes. There will be more degeneration of bone in the dominant hand because it is used more.
True or False: In gunshot wounds, the exit wound is always larger than the entrance wound
True
Anthropological evidence of blunt force trauma includes:
- fractures
- fragmented bones
- impact marks
Describe the three types of bone fractures:
Simple:
the bone is fractured but is not penetrating the skin
Describe the three types of bone fractures:
Compression:
crushed bone; does not penetrate the skin
Describe the three types of bone fractures:
Compound:
the bone is fractured and has penetrated the skin