Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Forensic Anthropology Case Report
Forensic Anthropology Case Report
Site Name
Mohamed Adnan
Michelle Gorbonosov
Zahava Hirsch
CUNY Brooklyn College
michellegorbonosov@gmail.com
zahavahirsch@gmail.com
Mohamed.adnan@macaulay.cuny.edu
Executive Summary
Site Monitoring
The site monitoring was conducted by the forensic archeologist in charge of the excavation.
The authors of this report were not present during the initial discovery of the remains or
during the removal of the remains. The authors relied on post-excavation documentation
provided to them for contextual information regarding the skeletal remains that were
found. Dates of the excavation were not provided. The remains were found in a shallow
grave described as being approximately 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters, with a maximum depth
of 1.25 meters. Both skeletal and dental remains were found in a heavily wooded area near
a stream that flows all year-round. The initial assumption was that this site held the
remains for one individual, although evidence suggests that the burial site had been opened
multiple times leading to the remains being jumbled. In addition to skeletal remains found
in the grave, additional remains were found on the surface close to the stream. The
excavation site was situated approximately 25 kilometers from the nearest town. There has
been a significant time lapse of five years from the time of the initial discover of the human
remains and the time of the analysis provided in this report.
Purpose
The purpose of the analysis of the excavated remains is to determine the identity of the
missing persons.
Laboratory Analysis
The laboratory analysis was conducted on the Brooklyn College campus in the basement of
the Ingersol building. Proper measuring instruments were provided, however, the authors
had no DNA analysis equipment at their disposal.
Methodology Recording
All skeletal and dental remains from the excavation site described above were recorded
following the general standards provided by Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994). Data forms
were created based on data obtained from initial analysis of the remains in the forensic lab.
Each of the skeletal material collected and analyzed is provided with identifying specimen
numbers.
Methodology Photographs
All bones and teeth were photographed to provide image referencing for this report. All
photographs were taken with an iPhone 5.
Statement of Ethics
All skeletal material was handled ethically and responsibly during the course of this
analysis. It is understood that these remains represent missing persons and they were
treated as such. No misconduct occurred with the remains.
Report Format
Each of the skeletal remains excavated is given its own sub-report titled with its specific
specimen identification number. The data charts associated with each of the remains are
found within their corresponding sub-reports. The photographs are referenced in the subreports they correspond to, but are found grouped together at the end of this report.
Additionally, all references used are also at the end of this report.
Individual Reports
SP# 237G (Complete Skull)
SP# 0097 (Mandible)
SP# 0595 (Pelvis)
SP # 0732 (Left Femur)
SP #0705 (Right Clavicle)
Summary Overview
Date of excavation was not provided. Sp# 237G is a complete skull that was found at the
excavation site detailed previously. SP# 0097 is a complete mandible that was found
broken in two pieces at the same site. SP# 0595 is a left pelvic bone, the other parts of the
pelvis were not found. SP# 0732 is a left femoral bone, which was found at the excavation
site. SP #0705 is a right clavicle bone, which was found at the excavation site.
The excavation grave was shallow, about 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters with a depth of 1.25
meters. The remains were excavated and then placed in a cardboard box for five years
before analysis took place. No tissue remained on the bones. It is unclear exactly where in
the excavation site the remains were found, being that some skeletal remains were found in
the shallow grave while others were found above ground near the river and the location of
each of the specific bones excavated was not recorded carefully. No soil residue was left on
the remains.
The skull was complete and some teeth remained in the maxilla, all of which are detailed in
the data chart provided. Based on analysis of the specific sex location on the skull, the sex is
determined to be male. Based on suture closure (refer to Image 3) the age is determined to
be around 45.2 years. Unique pathologies were observed on the skull. There are a number
of bumps on the frontal and parietal bones (refer to Image 3). There is a slight discoloration
at various points along the skull. Additionally, both temporal bones are jutting out, as if the
squamosal sutures never fused or were fused and then broke open due to some sort of
trauma (refer to Image 4 and 5). There is also microporosity present along the skull.
The sex of the mandible was determined to be male. It was recovered in two pieces, having
been cracked down the center-left, presumably post mortem. Multiple smaller cracks were
found throughout the mandible as well. Many teeth were not recovered, but some did
remain in the mandible. All teeth are documented in the data chart provided. Teeth #18
and 19 were missing but the bone seems irregularly smooth, indicating that those two
teeth may have never grown in. It is uncertain whether or not the mandible and the skull
are from the same individual. However, being that there is no evidence to prove otherwise,
it is assumed that both are from the same person.
The sex of the pelvis was determined to be male. The age range of the pelvis was
determined to be 35-45 years. Both the pelvic sex and age correspond with the sex and age
of the complete skull found, as well as the sex of the mandible. Therefore, these may all be
part of the same individual. The observed pathologies on the pelvis include microporosity
and chipped bone.
BONE
SIDE
COMP
PATH
CNT
237G
FRO
N/A
Yes
PAR
Yes
PAR
Yes
OCC
N/A
Yes
COMM
Bump on the left and right side by the coronal suture. Discoloration on the right side
of the frontal love. Microporosity towards the nasal part of the frontal lobe.
Bump on the left side towards the middle of the bone. The lobe has a yellow
discoloration and is slightly deformed. There is a large bump present.
There are three bumps present towards the coronal suture. White and yellow
discoloration throughout this lobe.
Slightly discolored and microporosity present.
TEM
Yes
The temporal bone is popping out and the squamosal suture seems unfused.
TEM
Yes
MAX
N/A
Yes
ZYG
Yes
The temporal bone is popping out and the squamosal suture seems unfused.
There are cracks, holes and microporosity present in the bone. There is a bump by
tooth #1
Discoloration and microporosity on the bone. The bone looks misshapen.
ZYG
Yes
The bone is slightly discolored and is rough. There is a curve at the bottom.
SPH
Yes
SPH
Yes
Maxilla Dentiton:
Four teeth were found remaining in the maxilla: T#4,5,13,16. All the rest of the teeth were
not recovered, either because they were lost pre or post mortem. Some calculus was found
on T#4 and some root was protruding from T#5 (Table 2). However, some calculus is
normal and the root protrusion may have happened as a result of the handling postmortem.
Table 2: Maxilla Dental Inventory
SP#
MM39237G
T#
1
Path
CAR
CAL
HYP
CNT
0
Notes
Tooth missing or is lost post mortem.
Yes
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
1 No pathology found on the tooth.
Key: CAR=Caries; CAL=Calculus; HYP=Hypoplasia; Path=Pathology (Yes/No). In your comments you must indicate the location (surface
affected) for all caries.
GLA
SOM
MAP
NUC
MEE
SEX
COMM
We are not certain if the skull and mandible are from the same
4
3
4
4
N/A
Male
individual.
0090
We are not certain if the skull and mandible are from the same
N/A N/A
N/A
N/A
4
Male
individual.
Key: GLA=Glabella; SOM=Supra-Orbital Margin; MAP=Mastoid Process; NUC=Nuchal Crest; MEE=Mental Eminence; Scoring: 1=Female;
2=Female?; 3=?; 4=Male?; 5=Male (SEE HAND OUT FOR DRAWING OF SPECIFIC REGIONS)
237G
MLAM
LAM
V-OBE
ASAG
BRE
M-COR
PTER
C-SCR
AVG
COMM
237G
1
2
3
2
2
1
3
14
45.2 Age based on 7 points on the skull
Key: MLAM=Mid-Lambdodial; LAM=Lambda; OBE=Obelion; ASAG=Anterior Sagital; BRE=Bregrma; MCOR=Mid-Coronal; PTER=Pterion;
C-SCR=Composite Score; AVG=Average Age
Cranial Ancestry:
Based on visual analysis of various locations on the skull, the ancestry of the individual is
unclear. Based on the cranial index the ancestry seems to be white or black. However based
on nasal index the ancestry seems to be Asian (Table 5). Based on the non-metric ancestry
there were some confusing results. The presence of Wormian bones was unclear and the
central incisors were not present for analysis on the maxilla. Additionally the eye orbit
shape was unclear, either coinciding with black ancestry or Asian ancestry. All the other
non-metric data pointed toward Asian ancestry (Table 6). The combination of metric and
non-metric data recorded for the skull leads to the conclusion that the individual is of Asian
decent.
MEAS
MxCB
13.0
MxCL
17.0
MxNB
2.2
MxNL
4.9
Index
Ancestry
76.47%
White/black
44.90%
Asian
MEAS-NOTES
Percentage comes close to the cutoff point between white and black ancestry.
Can be either.
MxCB=Maximum Cranial Breadth; MxCL=Maximum Cranial Length; MxNB=Maximium Nasal Breadth; MxNL=Maximium Nasal Length
Visual Assessment
Complex
Not Present
Some may be present
Rounded
Oval Shaped
Rounded
No incisors
Ancestry
Asian
Asian
?
Black or Asian
Asian
Asian
?
T#
BCA 0090
(right
lower
mandible)
32
Path
CAR
CAL
HYP
CNT
Yes
31
Yes
30
29
28
27
Yes
26
Yes
25
BCA 0097
(left
lower
mandible)
Notes
24
Yes
23
Yes
22
Yes
21
Yes
20
Yes
Calculus on distal side of tooth. Tooth fell off post mortem, however is given
separately.
BONE
SIDE
COMP
PATH
AGE
CNT
COMM
Pores present throughout the whole bone. The ilium area has bones chipped
0595 INN
L
1
Yes
off. There is a bone chipped off near the acetabulum. The acetabulum has a
hole inside it.
Long Bone and Pelvis Codes: HUM=Humerus; ULN=Ulna; RAD=Radius; CLA=Clavicle; FEM=Femur ; Innominate=INN; COMP= 1=75%100%; 2=50%-75%; 3=25%-50%; 4=<25%
1
Based on the sex characteristics of the pelvis, the sex is determined to be Male. There is no
ventral arch, sub-pubic angle or medial aspect present. The greater siactic notch was
measured at 3, which can be either male or female. See table 9.
Table 9: Sex Determination-Pelvis
SP#
V-ARC
SPC
MIPR
GSN
SPA
SEX
COMM
0595
No
No
No
3
N/A
Male The pelvis is male because there is no MIPR, SPC, or V-ARC present
Key: V-ARC=Ventral Arch; SPC=Subpubic Angle; MIPR=Medial Aspect Ischio-pubic Ramus; GSN=Greater Siactic Notch; SPA=Subpubic
Angle
SIDE
0595
PS
AUR-S
Fusion
Age
COMM
354
5
Fused
The pelvis age ranges from 35-45 years old.
45
Key: PS=Pubic Symphysis; AUR-S: Auricular Surface
BONE
SIDE
COMP
PATH
AGE
CNT
1
0732
FEM
Yes
COMM
Both ends of the bone are chipped and discolored. There is a rough area
running along the bone. The middle of the bone is discolored and the
whole bone is porous. A mark present in the center that is running widthwise along the bone.
BONE
SIDE
COMP
FUSED
MxL
FEM
Yes
48.26
FORMULA
(Male)[(2.15 x
48.26) + 72.57]
A-STA1
176.329
AGE2
MEAS-NOTES
BONE
CLA
SIDE
R
COMP
1
PATH
AGE
Yes
CNT
1
COMM
There is yellow and blue discoloration on the bone. It contains pores,
lines, and marks down the middle.
Only part of the frontal and parietal bones were present on the partial skull. Pathologies
include discoloration, dark lines and cracks and dark patches (refer to Images 6 and 7).
Usually vein imprints are apparent on the inside surface of the frontal lobe; however, the
frontal lobe on this partial skull does not have any of the usual imprints. See table 14.
Table 14: Partial Skull Bone Inventory
SP#
BON
E
SID
E
COM
P
PAT
H
CNT
COMM
Frontal bone is broken and the part closer to the eyes on the left side is cut off. The
J-51coronal suture is fused on the right side but mostly unfused on the left side. There is
129FRO
N/A
1
Yes
1
discoloration along the front of the skull closer to the right side. Dark lines and cracks
017
present along the skull. The inside part of the skull has dark patches, large pores, and
E
no venous lines (may indicate a disease).
The bone is broken apart and was pieces together. There are still dark patches and
PAR
R
4
Yes
1
small cracks all around. The sagittal suture is mostly fused. On the inner side of the
bone there are dark patches and holes present.
This lobe barely complete. It is discolored on the outside part and contains dark
PAR
L
4
Yes
1
patches and some venous line on the inside.
COMP=COMPLETENESS OF THE BONE SCORE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING: 1=75%-100%; 2=50%-75%; 3=25%-50%; 4=<25%;
NP=NOT PRESENT
BONE CODES: FRONTAL=FRO; PARIETAL=PAR; OCCIPITAL=OCC; TEMPORAL=TEM; MAXILLA=MAX; MANDIBLE=MAN;
ZYGOMATIC=ZYG; SPHENOID=SPH; SIDE: LEFT=L; RIGHT=R; PATH: YES OR NO; CNT: COUNT=1
BONE
FEM
SIDE
R
COMP
1
PATH
AGE
CNT
1
Yes
COMM
The bone is porous and is chipped on the head. Fibrous bone present on
the mesial end that can possibly indicate a fracture.
BONE
SIDE
COMP
FUSED
MxL
FEM
Yes
44.45
FORMULA
(Male)[(2.15 x
44.45) + 72.57]
(Female)[(2.44
x 44.45) +
58.67]
0728
A-STA1
AGE2
MEAS-NOTES
168.14
167.13
BONE
ULN
SIDE
L
COMP
1
PATH
AGE
Yes
CNT
1
COMM
The bone contains pores and is chipped at the bottom. Discoloration
throughout the bone.
167.94 for a Female. Since the sex cannot be determined for the ulna and also the stature
measurements for the ulna (both male and female) is very close to the partial skull, it was
placed under the partial skull individual.
Table 19: Stature Determination - Ulna
SP#
BONE
SIDE
COMP
FUSED
MxL
ULN
Yes
26.23
0754
FORMULA
(Male)[(3.84 x
26.23) + 77.45]
(Female)[(3.56
x 26.23) +
74.56]
A-STA1
168.73
167.94
AGE2
MEAS-NOTES
23+
Juvenile Humerus
Summary Overview
Date of Excavation was not provided. A humerus was found along with the other remains at
the excavation site detailed previously. The excavation grave was shallow, about 1.5 meters
by 1.5 meters with a depth of 1.25 meters. The remains were excavated and then placed in
a cardboard box for five years before analysis took place. No tissue remained on the bones.
It is unclear exactly where in the excavation site the remains were found, being that some
skeletal remains were found in the shallow grave while others were found above ground
near the river and the location of each of the specific bones excavated was not recorded
carefully. No soil residue was left on the remains.
Unlike the other bones recovered, this bone belongs to a juvenile individual. The age was
determined based on size and suture fusion of the bone. The bone was incomplete, a large
part was broken off and missing (refer to Image 8). Sex and stature could not be
determined based on the bone recovered.
Juvenile Humorous Age Determination:
Based on the measurement of the maximum length of the humerus, the age of the juvenile
is 3-3.5 years.
Table 20: Post-Cranial Measurement: Age of Juvenile Humerus
SP#
BONE
SIDE
COMP
FUSED
MxL
FORMULA
ASTA1
AGE2
MEAS-NOTES
HUM
No
15.25
N/A
N/A
3-3.5
Date of Excavation was not provided. SP# 0705 is a left radius bone that was found at the
excavation site described previously. The excavation grave was shallow, about 1.5 meters
by 1.5 meters with a depth of 1.25 meters. The remains were excavated and then placed in
a cardboard box for five years before analysis took place. No tissue remained on the bones.
It is unclear exactly where in the excavation site the remains were found, being that some
skeletal remains were found in the shallow grave while others were found above ground
near the river and the location of each of the specific bones excavated was not recorded
carefully. No soil residue was left on the remains.
BONE
RAD
SIDE
L
COMP
1
PATH
AGE
CNT
1
Yes
COMM
The bone is porous, contains a hole, and is discolored throughout. Some of
the bone is chipping off.
BONE
SIDE
COMP
FUSED
MxL
0705
RAD
Yes
Summary Overview
24.95
FORMULA
(Male)[(3.54 x
24.95) + 82]
(Female)[(3.55 x
24.95) + 80.71]
ASTA1
170.32
169.28
AGE2
MEAS-NOTES
20+
Date of Excavation was not provided. SP# 0620 is a left humerus bone that was found at the
excavation site described previously. The excavation grave was shallow, about 1.5 meters
by 1.5 meters with a depth of 1.25 meters. The remains were excavated and then placed in
a cardboard box for five years before analysis took place. No tissue remained on the bones.
It is unclear exactly where in the excavation site the remains were found, being that some
skeletal remains were found in the shallow grave while others were found above ground
near the river and the location of each of the specific bones excavated was not recorded
carefully. No soil residue was left on the remains.
BONE
HUM
SIDE
L
COMP
1
PATH
AGE
CNT
1
Yes
COMM
Black vein-like lines present on the bottom of bone. There is red
discoloration, pores, and white lines down the bone. Small pieces of the bone
are chipping off. There may be a possible fracture in the middle of the bone
BONE
SIDE
COMP
FUSED
MxL
0620
HUM
Yes
33.23
FORMULA
(Male)[(2.68 x
33.23) + 83.19]
(Female)[(2.29 x
33.23) + 83.19]
ASTA1
AGE2
172.25
159.29
22+
MEAS-NOTES
Image 1. Pelvis
Image 2. Mandible
Pictures of Bones
Image 3. Skull
Summary of information from your analysis and the contextual information (burial
location, depth of burial, surface deposit, date of excavation, date you received the material,
etc)
***CAN MAKE SUBCATEGORIES FOR DIFFERENT BONES WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL***
Summary
Based on the skeletal material analyzed in the laboratory, number individuals
were identified.
***REFERENCE TABLES***
1) Summary of age for each
2) Summary of Sex for each & stature
3) Summary of pathology
4) Summary of ancestry
***Match up with missing persons and compare***
***questionable bones should be discussed here as well***
Make sure missing person is in the report discuss why or why not it matches
the bones
PLAN:
1) MNI
2) Measurements, formulas
3) Sex
4) Age, stature,
5) Dentition
6) Pathology BE VERY DETAILED look for fractures, veins, scratches
a. For bones INCLUDING TEETH
7) List of all bones you have (L or R)
8) Take pictures