The Characteristics Of Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology is the physical or biological studies of a human skeleton. The purpose of a forensic anthropologist is to discover secrets hidden in bones. Forensic anthropologists are trained physical anthropologists. The difference between the two are the amount of knowledge involved in forensic anthropology. In forensic anthropology science, biology, and culture are applied to the legal process.

In my paper, I will explain forensic osteology and how it helps determine child abuse. I will also explain different cultures and situations where child abuse cases take place. I will describe where child abuse has taken place even in ancient times. Lastly, I will explain the challenges of forensic osteology in determining child abuse, what could be mistaken for it, and how it’s properly analyzed.

Forensic anthropologist knowledge of the human body, helps aid in the outcome of a death investigation. (Stanojevich) To help solve criminal trials, the systematic recovery and collection of physical evidence in the field, the scientific analysis in the laboratory and the protection of integrity of evidence, is crucial. Usually, response teams from either federal, state, or local authorities will gather and examine the physical evidence of a crime scene, but there are often times, when a forensic anthropologist is called in. Forensic anthropologist are major players, because they are trained in anthropology, archaeology, human osteology, forensic taphonomy, and chain-of-evidence procedures. Their study of human remains, aids in the case by working to assess the age, sex, stature, ancestry and unique features of a skeleton. Forensic anthropologist have been used to investigate victims of homicide, accidental deaths, natural deaths, and mass fatalities. The cases a forensic anthropologist works on usually involve victims that are decomposed, skeletonized, or have body parts that are missing. Often times, the forensic anthropologist, is the last chance for identification and justice for the victims. (Walsh-Haney)

Forensic Anthropologist work with the law enforcement agencies and assist in processing skeletal evidence. They gather profile research to determine individual's age at death, sex, ethnicity, and physical condition. They also aid in locating and removing human remains, conducting dental analysis, determining time of death, evaluate trauma to bones, and presenting a professional testimony in court.

There is a small vertical irregularity on the mandible, likely the result of a fracture scar. This irregularity measures approximately 3 millimeters in length. There is also evidence of forced trauma to the cranium, with the vertical irregularity measuring approximately 8 millimeters in length.

One morning a couple was out jogging when they stumbled upon human remains. A decision was made to bring in the forensic anthropologist team. To bring light to this mysterious death several things had to occur. Firstly the forensic team had to analyze features of bone to determine as much as possible, that includes; the person’s gender, ethnic origin, age, and height.

Other duties of a forensic anthropologist besides identifying missing persons include linking together pieces of history, helping with analyzation of certain disasters, and provide evidence that could be used in a legal matter. Historical matters such as associating a skull to a historic family (like the Romanovs) that had all been killed may shed light on a piece of history that could be further detailed. Disasters like an unexpected wildfire may leave skeletons that can reveal the cause of it or the pathway of growth. Another example of this is the analyzation of bullet marks which can help tremendously with a hazy case. Certain evidence on bones can also reveal whether someone was guilty of hurting another. Blunt

The race was found by examining the skull. The long bones being examined led us to the final height of the white male. The age determination was found by the comparing of all the findings in addition to the develop occurrence of the bones. In the end, we have a 6 foot 3 white male skeletal. In order to come to a further identity of the skeletal, the next step is to evaluate DNA samples found in the bones of the skeletons. The DNA will be cut in each sample, and gel electrophoresis will be used to identify the skeletal. After that is done, a report to the victim’s loved ones to state what happened to their family

Anthropologists help with identifying human remains by constructing a biological profile. They do this by estimating age, sex, stature, and ancestry, as well as identifying other characteristics such as diseases and injuries (Anđelinović et al. 2005). The anthropologists also analyze injuries that happened around the time of a person’s death which can determine the cause of death (Allmäe, Limbo-Simovart 2015). To learn these things, some questions need to be asked, such as: is it a bone? Is it human? Which bones are present? How many people are represented? Are the remains modern or

The practical aims to establish a minimum number of individuals at the crime scene, a biological profile for each victim and the possible cause of death to these victims. In order to achieve this a number of anthropometric procedures must take place. Firstly, an examination of which bones were present and their anatomical position using a Skeletal Recording Form. Following the examination, a detailed written description of each bone was produced. A broad range of

Forensic anthropology is the examination of human bones to determine the identity of unknown victims. Forensic anthropologists collect the remains at crime scenes and prepare them so they may be examined. They analyze the bones to make up a biological profile and identify the trauma involved in the manner of death. Sometimes, they work with forensic with forensic odontologists to get evidence from dental records. However, they don’t run DNA tests or conduct autopsies.

Literally forensic anthropologists use dental records, racial group, region, surgical appliances and the condition of their teeth to try and figure out who this person is. The “forensic anthropologists them a generic face to help family members, coworkers, friends, or acquaintances recognize the person that they know that may have been lost.”

and Megyesi, M. S., (2004) studied gender and ethnic differences in bone architecture. One of the limitations of these models is that ethnic differences are not counted in femur geometry although these differences are less. Clark, J. M., et.al (1987) showed that there are big differences in the neck shaft angle, horizontal offset from person to person. Significant differences will femoral geometry (Crabtree, N., et al., 2000) (Greendale, G. A., et al., 2003). Khemachit, S. and Surasith, P. (2008) studied contour of the skull using two-dimesional image data where as Buranarugsa, and Mr. Houghton. P. (1981) studied contour of the skull with rectangular coordinates. Schenkar, R., et al. (1999) explained the application of advanced technologies to achieve physical models of the

Forensic anthropology applies science to criminal investigations. Using forensic science to find out the age, gender, height, body characteristic, and race of the unknown individual. Anthropologists can examine injuries which happened around the time of death to determine how a person died.

Estimating the age at time of death from an unidentified individual’s remains is an important factor of forensic anthropology. There are certain standard processes and procedures that are employed in the lab to help determine the age as well as other biological profile data. In young adults, bone and tooth maturation are often used to roughly estimate the age of the body. In adults, the deterioration of bones is used to predict the age of the unknown body.