Test 2 Forensic Context Flashcards
Forensic Significance
*Usu. involves a person who has died within the last 50yrs
W/in 50yrs= Contemporary
Over 50yrs= Non-contemporary
Questions to establish Forensic Significance
- Are the remains actually bones?
- Are the bones actually humans?
- Are the remains from a person who has died w/in the last 50yrs?
How to establish Contemporary vs Non-contemporary (4)
- State of preservation
- Body modification
- Personal belongings
- Conditions of internment
State of preservation
Refers to the physical status of the bones after the loss of the soft tissues.
7 visible and measurable characteristics
1. Color
2. Texture
3. Hydration
4. Weight
5. Condition
6. Fragility
7. Soft tissues
State of preservation- Color
Contemporary:
- Off-white/Ivory
Non-contemporary:
- Brown
Exceptions: Sunlight or Burried remains
Texture
Contemporary:
- Smooth
Non-contemporary:
- Rough
Exceptions: age of indv., bone disease (ex. Osteoporosis), fossils
Hydration
Cont.:
- Wet
Non-cont.:
- Dry
Exceptions: Environment
Weight
C:
- Heavy
N-C:
- Light
Exceptions: Environment, Fossils, Bone diseases
Condition
C:
- Solid
N-C:
- Broken
Exceptions: Intensity of animal scavenging, acid soils, fossils
Fragility
C:
- Tough
N-C:
- Fragile
Exceptions: Corrosive substance, acid soils, fossils
Soft tissues
C:
- Present
N-C:
- Absent
Exceptions: Mummification, body trapped in ice
Body Modifications
Ex: Metal implants to repair bones, braces (->has serial #), tattoos, piercings, plastic surgeries…
Personal Belongings
Ex: Clothing (trend, the material can help tell the time of death), wallet (identification)
Condition of Internment
- Burial arrangement: How the body is placed in the burial
- Burial enclosure: Where the body is placed (ex: casket, underground, in water)
