Introduction to Forensic anthropology
Take Home Final Exam
PART 2
(55 points)
PART 6 OSTEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
For this section you will use your own body as the point of reference; meaning that all the answers will be based on your own profile. If you are a 19 year old of European/African ancestry, 5’ 3” and a medical history which includes two broken bones, then you will use the osteology texts (specifically Chapter 19 in The Human Bone Manual – a pdf of the chapter is on Canvas) and the Lecture Power Points to create the appropriate descriptions an osteologist would observe on your bones. In your descriptions include the reference for the research, for example (Walker 1994).
FOR EXAMPLE, in my case (a 48 year old male of European ancestry) I could use the following characteristics:
Here is how I would like you to answer . . .
EXAMPLES
SEX FROM QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS
What might be the measurement for the following areas of the skeleton?
• Gonial Angle
My Gonial Angle, side of jaw angle, may be more flared and less obtuse, <125 degrees Males as opposed to a typically females who has > 125 degrees.
SEX FROM CRANIAL MORPHOLOGY
Score the following cranial features 1-5 and include a description. (5 points)
The following five cranial characteristics are scored on a 1-5 scale (Walker 1994), 5 being male and 1 being female.
• Nuchal crest: My nuchal crest would score ether a 4 or 5 and be described as very pronounced.
• Mastoid Process: My mastoid process would score ether a 4 or 5 and would protrude or extend below my cranium.
• Supra-orbital Margin My supraorbital margin, i.e. my brow ridge, would score ether a 4 or 5, and be noticeably pronounced if not robust as opposed to gracile and subtle.
STATURE (Human Bone Manual; Page 398)
Using you own height, what would be the length of the femur, show the formula and conversion?
Using the tibia and the stature-calculation formulae developed by Trotter and Gleser (1952, 1958) for white males I would multiply my tibia length (in mm) by 2.42 then add 81.93 with a standard deviation of +/- 4.00.
In solving for X (X=length of my tibia) I am currently 6’ tall. Since the formula uses metric I will first make the metric conversion for 6’. Six feet is equal to 72 inches. The conversion formula from inches to cm is my height in inches multiplied by 2.54 = ___ cm, this is 72(2.54) = 182.88 cm.
By placing this in the Trotter and Gleser formula:
2.42(X) + 81.93 = 182.88 cm (my height)
2.42(X) = 182.88 – 81.93
X = 100.07/2.42
X = 41.71 cm
AGE
What would be the description and score be for the pupis synthesis?
Using the Suchey-Brooks public symphysis scoring system, my pubic symphysis would resemble Phase 5. This is described as having a symphyseal face completely rimmed with some slight depression of the face itself, relative to the rim. There would be moderate lipping on the dorsal border with more prominent ligamentous outgrowths on the ventral border. There is little or no rim erosion. A breakdown may occur on the superior ventral border.
QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO ANSWER
PART 6 OSTEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
ANCESTRY
• What might be the measurements for the following areas? (2 points)
• Cranial Shape/Cranial Index
• Nasal Aperture
• What might be the descriptions for the following areas? (4 points)
• Cranial Sutures
• Palatine Suture Variation
• Mastoid Process Shape
• Zygomaxillary Suture Variation
STATURE
• Using you own height, what would be the length of the femur, show the formula and conversion (if your specific sex and ancestry is not listed, choose one)? (2 points)
DENTITION
• What dental work might you encounter in your mandible and maxilla? Describe which teeth are erupted, contain fillings, root canals, etc. (4 points)
AGE FROM QUALITATIVE OBSERVATIONS
• Describe which bones in your body would be fused and which bones would be partially or unfused. Given your age which bones would be the most informative? (5 points)
SEX FROM QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS
• What might be the measurement for the following areas of the skeleton? (5 points)
• Gonial Angle
• The humeral head
• Glenoid fosa
• Scapula height [inferior to superior distance]
• Max. width of Humeral Epicondyle
SEX FROM CRANIAL MORPHOLOGY
• Cranial Indicators of Sex: Score the following cranial features 1-5 and include a description. (5 points)
• Nuchal crest
• Mastoid Process
• Supra-orbital Margin
• Glabella
• Mental Eminence
SEX BASED ON PELVIS
Score the following cranial features 1-5 and where appropriate absence or presence. (4 points)
• Sciatic Notch
• Ventral Arc
• Sub-pubic Concavity
• Ischiopubic Ramus Ridge
AGE FROM PELVIC AREA
• What would the score and description be for the auricular surface? (2 points)
• What would be the description and score be for the pupis synthesis? (2 points)
PART 7 TRAUMA
The killer described striking the victim over the head with a hammer. Search the internet for an image of that might be consistent with this type of trauma or review the Power Point on Blunt force Trauma.
• Name and describe this type of trauma; what type of fracture lines would you expect to see? (1 points)
• What type of fracture lines are present in your image? (1 point)
• Copy and paste this image in the Appendix with the URL. (1 point)
PART 8 PATHOLOGY
It has been discovered that the individual had an advanced case of syphilis.
• Do an internet search and find an image of syphilis as represented in bone, cut and paste this into the appendix. (1 point)
• Using this image, describe what this looks like and where it is manifesting? (2 points)
During the analysis there are indications that the individual has experienced a number of bone fractures, these are healed fractures and occurred prior the time of death. If you have experienced any bone fractures in your life time, describe one of these, if not then you are tasked with describing one type of fracture anywhere in the body.
• Describe where the bone fracture is located, which bone and a precise location on the bone? (2 points)
• Describe the type of fracture is represented? (1 points)
• What indications may indicated that this fracture occurred prior death? (1 point)
PART 9 BRIEF SUMMARY
• In a short paragraph, write out a summary of the victim’s profile based on the previous questions. Although you know the exact age of the victim, what would the age range be considered? What is the height range? What traumas and pathologies are observed? In this section, do not be specific about what techniques you utilized, nor the measurements, it is more concerned with a concise description of the victim based on the answers in the previous questions. (10 points)
EXTRA CREDIT (1 point for each, maximum of 5 points)
• What other tests, measurements, observations might help you be as thorough as possible?
