human remains chapter 14

Briefly explain how a forensic anthropologist may reconstruct a face on a skull.

An anthropologist would first establish, gender, age, and possible race. In the reconstruction process, they would be looking at the skull for muscle insertion points and tissue markers. This would allow them to make measurements to determine the thickness of tissue, nose size, and eye size to apply clay to the skull. Once this base is set they can them add final details to the face as it has been added to the skull.

In the El Mozote Case Study, all the skeletons were deposited at the same time. How would that have been determined?

An examination of the coins and cartridge casing allow them to identify time. Most of the skeletal remains had bullet fragments and holes. Also because of the cartridge cases and bullets found this allowed to determine the number of shooters. Finally, the skeletons were mixed together to help establish timing was concurrent.

Give a few examples of how skeletal remains may show the cause of death.

Blunt trauma may show that the person was struck by a certain object, such as an ax or club. A hole may show the person was shot by a weapon and may help to estimate the caliber of the weapon. No trauma can help identify; overdose, drowning or asphyxiation.

Name three differences in the skull shapes of the three anthropological racial groups.

Caucasoid, have a long narrow nasal passage, a triangle palate, oval orbits, narrow zygomatic arch, and narrow jaw. Negroids have a wide nasal point, a rectangular palate, square orbits, and a more pronounced cheekbone, the long bones are longer and denser. Mongoloids have a more rounded nasal aperture, a parabolic palate, rounded orbits, wide, and pointed jaw.

What do anthropologists study?

Forensic anthropology: a type of applied physical anthropology that specializes in human skeletal system for purposes of identifying unknown remains.

Explain how the height of an individual can be estimated from the skeleton?

Forensic scientists can estimate a person's stature (height) by examining one or more of the long bones.

How are animal bones different from human bones?

Humans and animals have different skeletal structures,different bones,and differently shaped bones.

when are the cranial sutures completely closed

If the coronal, Cambodia and Sagittarius suture are fully closed in a male 35 older and a female older than 50

Using the bones from question 7 give the differences between male and female

Skull has multiple differences: such as the male has an overbite, compared to the female and the size is bigger. The length of the femur, tibia, humerus and radius are normally longer in a male. Also the existence of a well-defined ventral arc helps to identify female remains.

What are the four stages of epiphany union?

Stage 1) there is no growth plate, Stage 2) nonunion with separate epiphysis, the growth plate is formed but not attached, Stage 3) partial union, the growth plate is beginning to attach, Stage 4) growth plate is attached.

What is the difference between tendons and ligaments?

Tendons and ligaments are structurally similar but function differently. Muscles are connected to the bones by tendons. Bones are connected to each other by tendons.

What is the difference between cause of death and the manner of death?

The cause of death is a specific injury or disease that leads to death. The manner of death is the determination of how the injury or disease leads to death.

What is the function of cranial sutures?

The cranial sutures help identify age and sex of the skull.

How would the age of victims have been estimated?

The measurement of the crania, tibia, femur, humerus, and radius

Explain how the symphyseal face on the os pubis changes as a person ages.

The symphyseal face of the pubic bone undergoes a metamorphosis or change form puberty on. Basically, the bones rub together over time to round out the tip of the bones as we age.

What can skeletal remains reveal about the identity of the person?

When did they death occur,was the body disturbed after death, what are the gender,age, and race of the individual, what caused the death, what kind of death was it-a homicide,a suicide, an accident or natural death, or is the cause still undetermined?

which bones best indicate gender

pubic bones and skull.

What are the functions of the skeleton?

the functions of the skeleton are physical support, protection of delicate organs, source of blood cells.