In this case, study, assume the role of a forensic anthropologist that must exam
ID: 3524134 • Letter: I
Question
In this case, study, assume the role of a forensic anthropologist that must examine a skeleton found in a shallow grave in a state park. You will research and simulate the actual procedures used within a forensics lab to determine the age, sex and height of a skeleton, as well as learn to identify bones, landmarks, and anatomical features associated with sex, age and height of a skeleton. Further, you will research and simulate the varying levels of pathological and morphological changes used within forensic anthropology to help determine both cause and time of death.
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Prior to reading the case study, read through the list of questions below and keep these in mind as you complete the reading.
After the reading, begin researching and examining the individual bones of the skeleton and their landmarks, according to forensic anthropology techniques, and determine the following, providing the rationale for each determination:
Describe in detail how the sex of a human skeleton can be determined based upon pelvic, skull and femur morphological distinctions.
Based upon forensic anthropological techniques, describe how the height of a skeleton can be determined when the human skeleton is no longer fully intact.
Based upon forensic anthropological technique, described in detail how the age of a skeleton can be determined.
Discuss how pathological and morphological changes within the bone might help a forensic anthropologist determine both a cause and a theoretical timeline of death.
Discuss how varying changes observed within the levels of organization in the body after death can help a forensic anthropologist to determine both a cause and time of death, i.e., organ temperature (liver), water or smoke present/absent within the lungs, level of skin slippage, decay and tissue healing (bruising, petechial haemorrhaging on the conjunctiva, ligature marks, etc.).
Explanation / Answer
As the skeleton has to be examined, following the procedures, it is packed and sealed with a label indicating the case refernece number and parts that are being packed and the recievers address along with sender's details. A handful of soil around the grave will be preserved for chemical examination. It is useful in case of poisoning. As soon as the packet reaches the forensic lab, it is check whether the seal of the material is intact with the proper label. Accompanying officer's details will be checked. Following this the examination is done in natural and adequate daylight with ample of accompanying officers.
Now for examination of bones, the following criteria is followed:
1. Determination of sex:
In case of pelvis, three major points are considered. Females have a wider subpubic angle, a wider sciatic notch, and a broad pelvic inlet.
In case of skull, females have smooth and more vertical frontal bone, small mastoid process as compared to males and have a rounded chin, whereas males have a square chin.
In case of femur, the male femur is comparatively thick and joins pelvis at a straighter angle.
2.The following methods are used for determination of height.
a. Height = 61.2 + 2.31* Femur length in cm
b. Height = 72.5 + 2.5 * Tibia length in cm
c. Height = 64.9 + 3.14 * Humerus length in cm
d. Height = 73.5 + 3.87 * Radius length in cm
3. Determination of age of skeleton
Age can be defined by various methods using skull and other ossification appearance and fusion centres. They can be molecular methods, chemical methods, radiology, morphological methods. It includes fusion of bones and joints and other examination.
4. Various pathological and morphological changes occur in a bone that can help to determine the manner of death and time since death. For example, a bone disruption or a mark of injury may refer to a medicolegal case. Any mark of weapon may directly refer to case of homicide. Diatom test helps accessing cases of drowning. Morphological changes such as dryness of bones may present the time since death.
5. Varying changes,
Organ temperature may determine death due to burns or shock or atmosphere.
Water in lungs can be seen if the nose and mouth is frothy and on pressing leaves frothy mucous. Smoke can be seen with traces of charcoal and carbon traces in trachea.
Level of skin slippage can be determined by the color and anatomy.
Decay and tissue healing, depending upon the type of injury mainly depends on color and blood and clot formation over the surface, presence of scar and healing are also important features.
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