Module 7: Case Processing And Documentation

Question 1

Processing and documentation

Answer 1

Handing correctly ESSENTIAL. All steps documented and final report detailed account of results and allow for outsider to reconstruct interpretations

Question 2

Receipt

Answer 2

Assign # to follow through completion and cross-reference any external case numbers
-keep each type of case separate
-if multiple individuals, either new case # or letter sub-designation
Initial condition should be documented, photograph outside on arrival, then steps taken in opening container
Assess for next steps: maceration or dry brush, rads, reconstruction, trauma analysis, photography,etc.
Best practice: processing log with steps needed, started, completed, who did. Can also help track time
Case summary form also-quick reference for case info and condition of remains form-brief description of remains upon arrival

Question 3

Radiography

Answer 3

Large amount of tissue, advisable to rad remains prior to removing from container-help assess present and give prelim assessment of trauma/foreign bodies
If minimal tissue, still rad prior to maceration to document foreign objects and assess initial trauma. If any trauma during cleaning process, initial rads present to demonstrate occurrence
Taken again after cleaned

Question 4

Maceration

Answer 4

Process of removing any soft tx from decomposing or mummified remains to yield clean, dry skeleton
Remains placed into stainless steel pot, covered with water, boil, simmer, soft tx removed, bones scrubbed with 10:1 citrus based degreaser and rinsed with water, removed to dry
Bleach discouraged-damage DNA, bone, cortex flakes
Water decanted and changed regularly
Smaller elements and ends of long bones checked to make sure not becoming soft
Use plastic tools, toothbrushes, nylon spatulas, avoid additional trauma
Soft tx bagged and labeled with case # and stored, discarded in future
2-4d, mummified tx extremely difficult to remove

Question 5

Drying and labeling

Answer 5

Drying up to week
Bones placed somewhere with good air flow to allow sides to dry and no mold to develop
Label w case #
India ink/calligraphy pen
Labeling essential-each case maintains integrity and no confusion of elements

Question 6

Reconstruction, rads, photographs

Answer 6

Photos prior to reconstruction-record method of reconstruction
Additional rads PRN

Question 7

Photography

Answer 7

Six standard views of skull-superior, inferior, rostral, caudal, left, right, seventh inferior with mandible to show entire dental arcade
W/w/o mandible in articulation
Sex/species determining species
Trauma and pathology photographed with/without scale
Overall photographs taken demonstrating element this condition is on. Intermediate and close-up images taken showing detail
Alternative angles, light sources, filters to bring out certain key features, striations on cut marks

Question 8

Analysis and documentation

Answer 8

Case analysis documented in detail-should be able to reconstruct analyses, results, and conclusions
Include features identified to determine species, sex, age
Antemortem, postmortem, perimortem trauma/pathology recorded and evidence suggesting which
Measurements that help locate on an element and measurements of size/trauma/pathology important
Analysis notes taken on separate form for each subject orrr clearly labeled
Skeletal diagrams/inventory form recording elements present/absent, dental diagrams recording presence, absence, trauma…

Question 9

Case file

Answer 9

All documents kept in master case file

Question 10

Final report

Answer 10

All of this analysis culminates in final report w detailed account of results
All pertinent info
Modified according to questions asked
Multiple cases related, opening should indicate numbers that are related and this report will reference “this” case #
May include just statement that none observed in some sections/unable to be determined due to lack of elements
Each section readable on its own
Citations/references included