Forensic Anthropology

Question 1

Search and Recovery

Answer 1

• ground penetrating radar to test for disturbances
• remains could be animal, forensic, archeological, teaching skeletons
• ID important for legal, investigative, emotional factors

Question 2

Sex Assessment

Answer 2

• Physiological differences: pelvis, skull, humerus
• Morphological differences: pelvis due to childbirth

Question 3

Age Estimation

Answer 3

• bones change with age (density, porosity, growth)
• seen in dentition, pubic symphysis, sternal rib ends

Question 4

Ancestry and Stature estimations

Answer 4

• some traits are linked to some groups (not conclusive)
• stature estimation possible with long bone dimensions

Question 5

Trauma

Answer 5

• provide expert opinion on type of type and size of weapon, number and direction of blows, but don’t determine CoD