Interpreting Forensic Anthropological Evidence
ABSTRACT
This assignment details the inventory of bones on a case study provided on the general skeletal bones listed with an alphabetic code and a key indicated. The first part points out the bones identified without the hands and the feet limbs which are missing in the anatomical examination. The second part focuses on the biological information outlined and the specifics observed, noted and interpreted by the forensic anthropology with application of the principles of forensic anthropology. This report details the fracture or bone damage to the cranium to the skeleton that evidences the projectile trauma very suggestive of a hurled blunt object.
PART 1
INVENTORY OF BONES PRESENT OR ABSENT
KEY: -
P-PRESENT
A-ABSENT
Projectile trauma is a bone fracture/damage due to compression, a force from objects that fly or hurled in the air. These maybe bullets, arrows sharp, round or blunt objects
CERVICAL VERTABRAE-A
THORACIC VERTEBRAE-P
LUMBAR VERTABRAE-P
SACRUM COCCYX-P
MANDIBLE-P
CLAVICLE-P
MANUBRIUM-P
SCAPULA-P
STERNUM-P
RIBS-P
HUMERUS-A
ULNA-A
RADIUS-A
PELVIC GIRDLE-P
CARPALS-A
METACARPALS-A
PHALANGES-A
FEMUR-P
PATELLA-P
TIBIA-P
FIBULA-P
TARSALS-A
METATARSALS-A
PHALANGES-A
CRANIUM-P
OCCIPITAL BONE-A
This is the bottom right part of the skull as observed once the skeleton was placed in an anatomical position.As per our analysis the occipital bone was fractured evidenced by a crack that suggested a blunt object hit the skull
FRONTAL BONE –A
As observed the frontal bone which is first upper part of the skull was absent largely and possibly due to the impact of the blunt object indicating the extent of the fracture.
PARIETAL BONE-P
This part of the cranium was slightly damaged though most of it was present in the examination therefore suggesting the impact of the projectile trauma was concentrate elsewhere.
ZYGOMATIC BONE -P
The zygomatic bone was present however significantly damaged most likely due to the impact of the fracture on the frontal bone thus suggesting the projectile element was angled downwards dictating the impact on the skull.
Image of the cranium:
PART 2
BIOLOGICAL SUB-PROFILES
According to the article on Museum archaeology and ethnology it reads,” Anthropologists contribute to the identification of unknown individuals by developing a biological profile: age, sex, stature, and ancestry. In addition, the biological profile includes information that may be particular to that person and no one else, such as diseases or injuries which may impact the bone. “This outlines the specifics studied and looked at when determining the biological sub-profiles of an individual.
SEX
The sex of the person as observed from the bones was female evidenced by the larger pelvis bones as compared to those of most masculine pelvis bones. Females have large pelvis bones an adaptation to give birth. The bones were also measured which were smaller as compared to the normal male size therefore suggesting the person was female. This was also emphasized by the personal effects found on the skeleton being observed, a necklace and thigh string and bracelet found on the skeleton
AGE
An observation of the knee of the skeleton shows there are no lines that is, diaphyses and epiphyses therefor suggesting the person whose skeleton was being investigated on was an adult. The pubic symphysis is a joint just above the pubic part where the pelvic bones meet. This joint undergoes physiological changes; an observation of this joint showed the former person was probably an adult in mid-thirties to late thirties. The age was also suggested by the fuse between the fourth rib and the sternum which was a bone and not cartilage as in the case of young individuals. The linkages of the bones in the skull, the sutures were also difficult to see as they had fused.
ANCESTRY
The individual as observed from the skeleton examination was a Caucasian, this was evidenced by the length of the bones as measured longer bones than other ancestries’, and the analysis. The skeleton had retreating cheekbones (zygomatic bones), narrow nasal aperture with tear shaped nasal cavity, minimal protrusion of the lower part of the skull. These features as observed suggested the skeleton observed at the skull suggested that the person was a Caucasoid, which is Caucasian.
CONCLUSION
As per the investigation and anatomical analysis a positive identification was established the individual was a female Caucasian with an age range of between 30-39 years, whose hands and feet were missing therefore limiting other sources of evidence on further information on the individual’s traits.
References
Lewonin, R. C. (2005). "Confusions About Human Races"
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology Article “Forensic Anthropology”
Byers,N.S. (2010).”Introduction to Forensic Anthropology”
