Forensic Sciences/ Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Sciences study and apply science for the purpose of law. Forensic anthropology one of several forensic sciences

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Forensic Anthropology

FBI Building

Forensic Anthropology: Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains

Forensic anthropology is a branch of applied physical anthropology concerned with identification of human remains in a legal context (Reichs, 1986). It is the application of knowledge and techniques of human skeletal biology to modern medical-legal problems (Ubelaker & Scammell, 1992)

Forensic Anthropology
Positive identification Detection of evidence of foul play Adoption cases (or unknown parentage) People depicted in photographs Paternity cases Bodily injury/liability cases

Burned Remains

Mummified Remains

Earthquake/Survivor Search

Plane Crash Site

Missing Persons

Human vs. Non-human

Professional Organizations

Search & Recovery

American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 1972 Physical Anthropology Section (AAFS) American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA)

Animal vs.Human

Commingling

Age Determination

Sex Determination

Ancestry

Stature

Dental Records

Sinus Patterns

Superimposition/Overlays

Gun Shot Wound

Stab Wounds

Cause/Manner of Death

Skull Trauma

Time Since Death/Taphonomy

Time Since Death/Postmortem Interval

Odor, vegetation, root penetration, soft tissue and bone tissue preservation Forensic Entomology Adipocere or grave wax Univ. of Tenn. Body Donation Program

Cause/Manner of Death
Cause of Death is the disease or injury responsible for death (e.g., gunshot wound, blunt force, trauma, stab wound etc.). The Manner of Death is the fashion in which death occurred (e.g., homicide, suicide, natural accident).

Facial Reconstruction

Photographic Superimposition

Expert Witness

Adolph Luetgert Case (1897)

Chain of Possession

George Dorsey Corpus delicti

When and from whom remains were received by forensic anthropologist and what was done with them following examination.

Employment