ASM 275 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Paleopathology affects bone in 3 ways. Answer: Excess osteoclast
activity activity produces lytic lesions
Excess osteoblastic activity produces proliferative lesions
Abnormalities of shape produced by both processes
◉ Importance of Bone Pathology for Forensics. Answer: 1. Can be
confused with perimortem trauma (fusion defects)
2. Can be confused with postmortem taphonomic alterations
3. Can provide information on life course experience of the individual
4. Can provide information on SES
5. 3 & 4 can lead to positive identification
, ◉ Pathological conditions- disease process that affects bones. Answer:
Past patterns of trauma- occupation, SES, work (osteoarthritis)
Diet & health conditions- stress level, SES?
Congenital diseases- ID and individuation
Infectious diseases- health & medical history
Rare bone diseases- geographic origin
◉ Patters of trauma & work related changes. Answer: OA- breakdown
of joint capsule
1. lipping of joint surface (osteophytes)
2. porosity
3. eburnation, polishing of joint surface due to bone on bone
◉ Stress & health conditions. Answer: Stress is any physiological
disruption
Response depends on cultural buffers and individual resilience
Lower SES- smaller
◉ Infectious disease. Answer: Malaria, flu, communicable
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Paleopathology affects bone in 3 ways. Answer: Excess osteoclast
activity activity produces lytic lesions
Excess osteoblastic activity produces proliferative lesions
Abnormalities of shape produced by both processes
◉ Importance of Bone Pathology for Forensics. Answer: 1. Can be
confused with perimortem trauma (fusion defects)
2. Can be confused with postmortem taphonomic alterations
3. Can provide information on life course experience of the individual
4. Can provide information on SES
5. 3 & 4 can lead to positive identification
, ◉ Pathological conditions- disease process that affects bones. Answer:
Past patterns of trauma- occupation, SES, work (osteoarthritis)
Diet & health conditions- stress level, SES?
Congenital diseases- ID and individuation
Infectious diseases- health & medical history
Rare bone diseases- geographic origin
◉ Patters of trauma & work related changes. Answer: OA- breakdown
of joint capsule
1. lipping of joint surface (osteophytes)
2. porosity
3. eburnation, polishing of joint surface due to bone on bone
◉ Stress & health conditions. Answer: Stress is any physiological
disruption
Response depends on cultural buffers and individual resilience
Lower SES- smaller
◉ Infectious disease. Answer: Malaria, flu, communicable
