Forensics- Bones Unit

When it comes to determining the age of bones which parts are most useful?

1. teeth ** 2. epiphyses or growth plates 3. pubic symphysis 4. cranial sutures

Teeth are often used for body identification because

1. they are the hardest substances in the body (they do not readily decompose) 2. they are unique to the individual 3. x-rays are a good record of a person's teeth, giving them a unique identity

Basilar suture

female: closes as young as 14 male: closes as young as 16 -if the suture is open the individual is general considered to be 18 or younger

How can the bones be used to show age determination?

looking at the epiphyses are good places to look for changes in estimating age.

Gender differences in fingers

male index fingers is sometimes shorter than the third finger. female index finger is sometimes longer than the third finger.

Gender differences in rib cage

male rib cages are generally wider and larger than those of females.

How does a skull illustrate gender

male: pertruding brow bone female: occipital bun is round

How does a skull illustrate race

nasal aperture, oval orbits, mandibles

What do bones form when they break that makes them stronger than before the break?

the bone forms a hard callus of minerals around the break and then the bone is remodeled

What may scientists be able to determine from a whole bone or part of a bone?

1. an age range 2. sex 3. race 4. approximate height 5. cause of death, disease, or anomaly

What are the six functions of bones?

1. provide structure and rigidity 2. protect soft tissues and organs 3. serve as an attachment for muscles 4. produce blood cells ** 5. serve as a storage area for minerals ** 6. can detoxify the body by removing heavy metals and other foreign elements from blood **

Forensic Anthropology

a type of applied anthropology that specializes in the changes and variation in the human skeleton for the purpose of legal injury may provide basic information on skeletonized or badly decomposed remains

How can age be determined using cranial sutures?

a. sagittal sutures completely closed -male: 26 or older -female: 29 or older b. sagittal sutures completely open -male: less than 32 -female: less than 35 c. complete closure of all three major sutures -male: over 35 -female: over 50

Adult bones vs Child bones skull sutures

adult: completely closed or completely open child: completely open

Adult bones vs Child bones-epiphyseal plate

adult: partial or complete union child: growth plate has not formed or are seperate

Adult bones vs Child bones epiphyseal line

age 17-33: line is visible older than 20: line is not visible

How do long bones in the arm of leg illustrate age

based off the union or non-union of the epiphyses

How do long bones in the arm or leg illustrate height

calculate using the femur, tibia, humerus, or radius length

Three race groups

caucasoids, negroids, mengoloids

Gender differences in pubic bones

female has wider pubic body than male

Negroid skulls

have a wide nasal aperture, a rectangular plate, square orbits, and more pronounced zygomatic arches. the bones are longer, and have less curvature and greater density.

Mongoloid skulls

have more rounded aperture, a parabolic plate, rounded orbits, wide zygomatic arches, and more pointed mandibles

A previously broken bone can be identified by x-ray. How can this be used to help identify possible child abuse?

if a child receives an x-ray and there have been suspicions of child abuse and there is a previous break recognized then this can be proof of child abuse

epiphyses

in long bones: end of bones, function is to allow for growth

diaphysis

in long bones: shaft of bone, makes up most of the bones length

Caucasoid skulls

long, narrow nasal aperture, a triangular plate, oval orbits, narrow zygomatic arches, and narrow mandibles

What is the easiest way to determine the gender (using the skeleton) of an individual, and why?

one of the easiest ways to determine gender is using the pubic bone, if the pubic bone is wider than the skeleton is a female. This is easy because there are very obvious distinctions

What is the easiest way to tell (using the skeleton) whether a teenager is lying about his/her age, and why?

one of the easiest ways to tell age is by using the epiphyses, if the skeleton is over 21 there will be complete union so if there is no complete union the skeleton is not over 21

How does a skull illustrate age

sagittal suture

Stages of epiphyses growth

stage 1: non-union without separate epiphyses male: 21 or younger female: 20 or younger stage 2: non-union with separate epiphyses male: 16-21 female: 17-20 stage 3: partial union male: 17-30 female: 17-33 stage 4: complete union male: 21 or older female: 20 or older

How can bones help the estimation of height?

the height of a person can be calculated by measuring the length of certain long bones, including the femur, tibia, humerus, and radius.

Osteology

the study of bones

Odontology

the study of teeth