what is forensic anthropology?

Catatonic man (Germany #49) Jack Burman 2009

Source: Magenta

Forensic anthropology is a sub-specialty of physical anthropology, and is concerned with the application of expert knowledge about skeletal anatomy to issues of forensic importance, including the identification of the deceased (where the remains are completely, or partially, skeletonised), and the identification and interpretation of bone trauma.

Principles derived from studying skeletal anatomy of archeological specimens and 'collections' of skeletons are applied to the examination of bones found in a forensic context (e.g. clandestine burial), with a view to providing information relevant to the identification of the deceased, including estimations of;

• race,
• age at death,
• sex and
• stature.

Forensic anthropologists can play an integral role in death investigations, and can assist in the identification of remains at the scene, recovery of those remains (utilising archeological principles), and examination in the mortuary, alongside the forensic pathologist.

Source: Wikipedia

revise your pelvic bone anatomy

the Body Farm and art

Untitled WR Pa 53 2001

Source: Sally Mann at the Guardian

Photographer Sally Mann created a series of photographs called 'What Remains', taken at the University of Tennessee's Knoxville Anthropological Research Facility (aka 'the Body Farm). These photographs have been described as some of her most challenging pieces ('I like pushing buttons').

Death makes us sad, but it can also make us feel more alive... I couldn't wait to get there. The smell didn't bother me. And you could see the colours - they're really beautiful. As Wallace Stevens says, death is the mother of beauty.

Sally Mann in The Guardian (Morrison B. The naked and the Dead. The Guardian 29/5/2010)

The entrance to the 'Body Farm'

Source: Jefferson Bass

Skeletalisation at the Body Farm

Source: Jefferson Bass

Skeletalisation with exposure of a prosthetic hip at the Bosy Farm

Source: Jefferson Bass

human bone manual

the juvenile skeleton

skull from a 'torso murders' victim, Cleveland, Ohio, USA (1935-1938)

source: the Cleveland Memory Project, Cleveland State University Special Collections

forensic facial reconstruction

Mikhail Gerasimov - source: Wikipedia

When other identification means have been exhausted, forensic anthropology meets forensic art to provide a skull with a recognisable face.

Forensic facial reconstruction has been utilised for many decades, with some notable success. The pioneer of this forensic technique was Mikhail Gerasimov (1907-1970), who provided the role model for Professor Andreev in Martin Cruz Smith's novel, Gorky Park.

comparative anatomy relevant to the examination of found remains

written in bone - interactive comic story

The secret in the cellar - a Written in Bone forensic anthropology mystery via the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

forensic anthropology: graphic novel-style

radiographic bone age

Age can be assessed by reference to bone age - this is a radiograph of the left hand of a male with a bone age of 24 months.

For more examples of bone age, and a full size version of this radiograph, go to wikiradiography (made available by Wetpaint).

frontal sinus pattern - identification

Some researchers have considered the frontal sinus to be characteristic, and capable of providing evidence of 'uniqueness'/ individualisation. The top radiograph shows the frontal sinus in relation to the remainder of the facial bones/ skull, whilst the lower image is a close-up of the frontal sinus.

Source: wikiradiology (Wetpaint)

See the frontal sinus pattern visible in a skull x-ray reportedly of Hitler at Wired Science.

identifying burial sites - forensic science field techniques video