M1: Osteology, Anthropology
& Forensic Context
LECTURE 2
Goals Of Forensic Anthropology
Forensic
o “In Modern Parlance” – intersection of the legal and medical
spheres
Forensic anthropology is a branch of both
forensic science and biological
anthropology
What is o Forensic anthropology is a
Forensic subbranch of biological
Anthropology? anthropology
o Specifically, it is the field of study
that deals with skeletonized or
decomposed remains for the
purpose of aiding in a legal
investigation
Determining age, living stature, sex, and ancestry of skeletal remains
Analysis of bone trauma v. pathology
Goals of Assessment of postmortem interval by understanding of postmortem
Forensic processes
Use archeological methods to recover remains in a thorough, systematic
Anthropologist way
s Analyze unique features to help identify individuals
Positive Identification = “It is EXACTLY this person”
Forensic Anthropology IS NOT the study of death (more of a social issue)
Decedents [dead people] who are fully fleshed are NOT usually examined
What Isn’t by forensic anthropologists
Forensic o This is done by a coroner or medical examiner
Forensic anthropology DOES NOT deal with the remains of individuals who
Anthropology? died more than 50 years ago
o ***there are some exceptions***
Forensic anthropologists are often called to help identify remains in the
Other Duties case of those killed in war and mass disasters
of the Forensic Forensic anthropologists may also aid in investigating deaths of medico-
legal significance that have profound historical value
Anthropologist o Ex.) Russian Royal Family in 1918, “Billy the Kid”
Are the remains human?
If so, are they of forensic significance?
How many individuals are represented?
The Forensic When did death occur?
Analysis How old was the decedent?
What sex was the decedent?
Can ancestry be determined?
& Forensic Context
LECTURE 2
Goals Of Forensic Anthropology
Forensic
o “In Modern Parlance” – intersection of the legal and medical
spheres
Forensic anthropology is a branch of both
forensic science and biological
anthropology
What is o Forensic anthropology is a
Forensic subbranch of biological
Anthropology? anthropology
o Specifically, it is the field of study
that deals with skeletonized or
decomposed remains for the
purpose of aiding in a legal
investigation
Determining age, living stature, sex, and ancestry of skeletal remains
Analysis of bone trauma v. pathology
Goals of Assessment of postmortem interval by understanding of postmortem
Forensic processes
Use archeological methods to recover remains in a thorough, systematic
Anthropologist way
s Analyze unique features to help identify individuals
Positive Identification = “It is EXACTLY this person”
Forensic Anthropology IS NOT the study of death (more of a social issue)
Decedents [dead people] who are fully fleshed are NOT usually examined
What Isn’t by forensic anthropologists
Forensic o This is done by a coroner or medical examiner
Forensic anthropology DOES NOT deal with the remains of individuals who
Anthropology? died more than 50 years ago
o ***there are some exceptions***
Forensic anthropologists are often called to help identify remains in the
Other Duties case of those killed in war and mass disasters
of the Forensic Forensic anthropologists may also aid in investigating deaths of medico-
legal significance that have profound historical value
Anthropologist o Ex.) Russian Royal Family in 1918, “Billy the Kid”
Are the remains human?
If so, are they of forensic significance?
How many individuals are represented?
The Forensic When did death occur?
Analysis How old was the decedent?
What sex was the decedent?
Can ancestry be determined?
