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Ashley Clifford – ANTH2220

Case Number 2

Dr. Kirsten Verostick

December 12, 2023

Remains were discovered on November 8th, 2023, at 1400 hours, and subsequently reported

to the Shady Pines police department for investigation. Upon further analysis, the remains were

confirmed to be human. This report details a skeletal inventory, analysis and biological profile,

measurements, and dental analysis of the remains for case number 2. The remains were

completely skeletonized with disarticulation and no signs of cortical exfoliation, indicating late-

stage decomposition, as outlined by Kelsee Henstchel-Fey, M.A. (guest lecture, October 4, 2023).

Four bullet casings and one package of camel cigarettes

were found at the scene. The remains were in good

condition and located in a heavily wooded area with

significant leaf litter.

Collection of the remains proved to be somewhat

difficult, given the extent of leaf litter, however the majority

were recovered and consistent with an MNI (minimum

number of individuals) of one. Two of the bones analyzed

were determined to be non-human in origin. Missing

elements from the skeletal inventory were as follows: the

hyoid, manubrium, sternal body, xiphoid, two cervical

vertebrae, ten thoracic vertebrae, and two lumbar vertebrae.

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The first, eleventh and twelfth left ribs, several right ribs numbered two through twelve, right

clavicle, and the right scapula were absent as well. The left ulna and radius were missing in

addition to the left and right patella, as well as both the left and right fibula. Bilaterally, the talus,

calcaneus, tarsals, metatarsals, carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges were not present.

Traces of rodent gnawing and soil staining were visible on the bone, indicative of animal

scavenging (guest lecture, October 4, 2023). Perimortem trauma was present on the skull. A

circular hole was present on the right temporal bone with internal beveling, indicating an entry

wound from a high-velocity projectile. An additional circular hole, slightly larger in size, was

present on the left parietal bone with external beveling and radiating fractures and was likely the

exit wound for the same high-velocity projectile. There was antemortem facial trauma visible on

the nasal aperture with evidence of bone remodeling, as well as damage to the anterior nasal

spine.

Based on cranial morphology, and estimation guidelines outline by Christensen et al. (2014:

228-232) and a class lecture by Dr. Kirsten Verostick (October 16, 2023), ancestry was estimated

to be most likely Caucasian. Orbits are angular and somewhat sloped, with a short and high

facial height. Skull morphology is, overall, small and rounded. Damage was present on the

anterior nasal spine and nasal aperture as noted previously, however, the anterior nasal spine still

appeared to be prominent and sharp. The nasal breadth was narrow with a narrow to intermediate

interorbital breadth. Zygomatic arches were slight and retreating, also indicative of Caucasian.

Sex was estimated to be male based on pelvic and cranial morphology, and as indicated by

Christensen et al. (2014: 204-210). The forehead was retreating as opposed to vertical, in

addition to larger superciliary arches and blunt supraorbital margins. The gonial angle was at
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around a ninety-degrees, with a protruding mastoid process and pronounced mental eminence.

Nuchal lines and a nuchal crest were present. The ilium was higher, with a heart-shaped pelvic

inlet, triangular pubic bone, and flatter auricular surface. Regarding the sacrum, the body shape

was curved, with a size greater than the ala, and segmented in about two to three sections.

Three methods were used during age estimation including analysis of the pubic symphyses,

sternal rib ends, and auricular surfaces. The results were compared to the guidelines described by

Christensen et al. (2014: 261-271) and Adserias-Garriga and Wilson-Taylor (2019: 55-73).

Regarding the pubic symphysis, the is a distinct rim around the symphyseal face with some

depression. Little to no billowing was present on the surface of the symphyseal face, as well as

no noticeable lipping on the ventral or dorsal borders. This was determined to be most consistent

with phase four.

The sternal rib end showed some lipping around the with no signs of scalloping. The pit was

“U” shaped with irregular rims and no bony projections. This was also determined to be most

consistent with stage four. On the auricular surface, there was a notable difference between the

left and right sides, which may indicate an irregular gait. Horizontal striae were visible on thirty

to forty percent of the surface, with microporosity present on the superior demi-face only.

Characteristics were determined to be most consistent with stage three on the left auricular

surface, with reference to Buckberry and Chamberlain (2002: 233-234). Comprehensively, the

total age estimation range was determined to be between approximately thirty and forty-five

years.

Stature estimation was performed based upon the guidelines for that of a Caucasian male, as

referenced in Langley et al. (2016: 1-116) and Christensen et al. (2014: 287-295). The right
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humerus was measured at approximately 32.1 centimeters, for a range of 62.61 to 70.71 inches.

The right femur was measured at around 45.2 centimeters, for a range of 63.25 to 69.79 inches.

The right tibia was measured at approximately 37.5 centimeters for a range of 64.78 to 71.52

inches. Post-cranial measurements indicated a complete stature estimation range of around five

feet two inches to five feet nine inches.

Dental analysis was performed and recorded, with reference to Langley et al. (2016: 90-100).

All maxillary dentition was absent. Five mandibular teeth remained: the nineteenth, twenty-first,

twenty-sixth, twenty-eight, and thirtieth. Visible damage was present on the right lateral incisor,

number twenty-six, with approximately half of the visible tooth remaining.

After running our information through NamUs, we found one possible match that aligns with

our criteria (name omitted for protection of privacy). The missing persons report indicated that

the individual was travelling to New Jersey, for a new job offer, when he was last heard from and

was eventually reported missing by his mother. The individual in question had a broken nose,

consistent with the antemortem facial trauma identified on the remains, as well as scoliosis,

which may explain the abnormal gait and subsequent uneven wear on the auricular surfaces. He

was a Caucasian male approximately thirty-eight years old, with an estimated weight of 160 to

170 pounds.
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References

Adserias-Garriga, Joe, and Wilson-Taylor, Rebecca

2019 Skeletal age estimation in adults In Age Estimation. Pp. 55-73 Elsevier Inc.

Buckberry, J.L., and Chamberlain, A. T.

2002 Age Estimation from the Auricular Surface of the Ilium: A Revised Method.

American Journal of Physical Anthropology (119): 231-239.

Christensen, Angi, M., Passalacqua, Nicholas, and Bartelinke, Eric, J.

2014 Ancestry Estimation In Forensic Anthropology. Pp. 223-242. Elsevier Inc.

2014 Sex Estimation In Forensic Anthropology. Pp. 199-222. Elsevier Inc.

2014 Age Estimation In Forensic Anthropology. Pp. 243-284 Elsevier Inc.

2014 Stature Estimation In Forensic Anthropology. Pp. 243-284 Elsevier Inc.

Langley, Natalie, R., Jantz, Lee, M., Ousley, Stephen, D., Jantz, Richard, L., and Milner, George

2016 Data Collection Procedures for Forensic Skeletal Material 2.0. The University of

Tennessee, Department of Anthropology.