Forensic Anthropology


Forensic Anthropology.pptx Osteology.pptx

Forensic Anthropology

 

Anthropology demands the open-mindedness with which one must look and listen, record in astonishment and wonder that which one would not have been able to guess.

(Margaret Mead)

 

Forensic Anthropology is the scientific study of human , usually with the express purpose of identifying the remains of the deceased or the cause of death.This examination of human remains focuses on the biological profile, the post mortem period, the data regarding the “death event”, recovery site and process.

 

Section 1 – Vocabulary

Below is a list of all of the biology vocabulary terms used in the Unit. By the end of the Forensic Anthropology Unit, you will be able to write a working definition of each term and correctly use each term.

1

Biological Profile

2

Anomalies

3

exhumation

4

Victim Age

5

Pathology

6

postmortem

   7

Victim Sex

8

Odontology

9

perimortem

10

Stature

11

Osteology

12

Sexual Dimorphism

13

Ancestry

14

Anthropometry

15

 

gas chromatography


16


mass spectrometry


17

forensic radiology

18

ground penetrating radar and proton magnetometer



19

flotation

20

boley gauges

21

spreading calipers

 

 

pelvis   cranium   mandible
  sutures   *specific teeth   molars
  canines   incisors   premolars
  wisdom teeth   ethnicity   diet

 

22

DNA analysis

23

facial reconstruction

 

24

 

pelvis

25

 

 

cranium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section 2 –Mastery Objective/Critical Thinking Skills

By the end of this unit students will be able to

  1. Understand and be able to list the 7 categories that make up a victim’s biological profile.

  2. Define the postmortem and perimortem periods and list 3 impacts of each on the victim’s remains.

  3. List 2 ways in which individual factors such as sexual dimorphism, ethnicity, diet, and disease can affect the victim’s remains.

  4. Using clues from the state of remains (burnt, waterlogged, found in violent region, mass graves, location of injuries) to hypothesize postmortem and perimortem situations.

 

 

Section 3a –Textbook and Further Readings and Websites

 

  1. Photocopied textbook readings

  2. http://anthropology.si.edu/writteninbone/ancestry.html

  3. Provides good working definition and lengthy explanation. Also a good source for short, informative videos on the jobs of forensic anthropologists and their discoveries. http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/what-is-forensic-anthropologist

  4. The American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA) website. A good resource for practical/real world applications of forensic anthropology. http://www.theabfa.org/

  5. A PBS special article about applications of FA http://www.pbs.org/pov/nostalgiaforthelight/tools-of-forensic-anthropology.php

  6. An interactive resource wherein students find and identify http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/4b95b15d-9ab4-4b78-9b8c-78656e1aa88c/4b95b15d-9ab4-4b78-9b8c-78656e1aa88c/

  7. Another series of interative activities http://www.biologycorner.com/projects/bones/

 

 

Section 4 –– Outside Class Assignments

Thoughtfully do each of the following assignments. Include all your reasoning and work wherever it seems appropriate. Due dates for each assignment will be given in class.  (Please remember – homework that is passed in late is automatically discounted 15%.)

 

  1. Construct a concept map using the terms:

    1. biological profile, victim age, victim sex, stature ancestry, postmortem, perimortem, and anthropometry.

    2. dna analysis, facial reconstruction, anomalies pathology, osteology, odontology, exhumation, and sexual dimorphism.

  2. List and provide a one sentence definition  for each of the 7 aspects of the Biological Profile.

  3. Give 2 examples for each of the 7 aspects of the Biological profile of a specific area on the body where you would look to identify each. (this needs rephrasing)

  4. Do the activities from 6 and 7 in section 3a.

  5. Read the case studies that were handed out in class and prepare 2 examples of tools used by forensic anthropologists from each.

  6. You have come across three graves:

Using vocab terms 15-21 identify which of these tool you would use for each particular situation. (Hint: check out pbs.org/pov/nostalgiaforthelight/tools-of-forensic-anthropology.php)

Osteology

I have no history but the length of my bones” (Robin Skelton)

 

Section 1 – Vocabulary

Below is a list of all of the biology vocabulary terms used in the Unit. By the end of the Osteology, you will be able to write a working definition of each term and correctly use each term.

1

odontology

2

sexual dimorphism

3

environmental factors

4

osteology

5

postmortem

6

individual factors

7

taphonomy

8

perimortem

9

cultural/behavioral factors

10

ossification centers (diaphysis and epiphysis)

11

anthropometry

12

getaphonomy

13

deciduous dentition

14

boley gauges

15

victim profile


16

taphonomic profile

 
 
 
 

 

Section 2 –Mastery Objective/Critical Thinking Skills

By the end of this unit students will be able to

  1. Identify the 7 components of  the Biological Profile.

  2. Define osteology and odontology and give 2 uses for each in identifying the victim’s biological profile and the surrounding situation.

  3. Identify 3 common sites on the skull and 3 in the pelvis to demonstrate the attributes of a specific gender

  4. Identify the 2 ways in which odontology can show ethnicity and age.

  5. Identify 4 taphonomic signs of decay based on chapter reading.

 

Section 3- Further Resources and Readings

  1. http://archlab.uindy.edu/documents/ForensicTaph.pdf

  2. http://www.neiu.edu/~circill/davis/anth370/taphonomicapplic.pdf

  3. http://www.sfu.museum/forensics/eng/pg_media-media_pg/anthropologie-anthropology/



Section 4 –– Outside Class Assignments

Thoughtfully do each of the following assignments. Include all your reasoning and work wherever it seems appropriate. Due dates for each assignment will be given in class.  (Please remember – homework that is passed in late is automatically discounted 15%.)

 

  1. Construct a concept map using terms 1-16.

  2. List and provide a one sentence definition of the 7 aspects of the Biological Profile.

  3. Provide a minimum three sentence explanation of Sexual dimorphism. Consider why it may be useful for victim identification.

  4. Label the stages of epiphyseal union that each bone is in.

  5. Label these three areas and give a short explanation as to why each is significant in determining the sex of the victim. (think sexual dimorphism) (need better pelvis diagram)Forensic Anthropology.pptx Osteology.pptx

 

 

Other 

Assorted reference diagrams to be printed and made available to students for note taking.

 

  1. ephyseal union

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     2. Odontology to demonstrate ethnicity

 

     3.                  

 

 

     4. 

                                                  

  1.  

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