M1: Osteology, Anthropology
& Forensic Context
ASM 275
M1: Reading & Videos
Forensic Back before forensic anthropogony; investigators would have to go to
Magazine halls of academia and museums
o This was the only place you could find skeletonized individuals to
compare
What Anthropology
Due to the number of cases being brought to academic anthropologists it
Brings to the Table
led to the building of laboratories
Anthropology
o The study of humans
o For the simple definition; the field of anthropology is complex
Anthropologists
o People that frame and answer questions pertaining to human
behavior across both living and past human populations
o Develops theories that attempt to explain the complexities of
human interactions
To expect a single law enforcement professional to serve as
investigator, forensic scientist, and criminal intelligence analyst
would only prepare that individual for failure
Today anthropology has found home in many forensic facilities
Popular culture idolizes the concept of CSI within anthropology
o The fictional characters in these shows often assume the roles on
multiple disciplines in real life
Criminal Investigators rely on the team not individuals
The danger of overspecialization in any applied science arises if it limits
the ability or motivation for individuals to address the larger theoretical
issues and perhaps lose sight of the big picture
Benefit of Collaboration
Examination of the various types of investigations confronting law
enforcement and forensic science professionals
The most effective cold case or violent crime strategies is to conduct
structured case reviews where all the investigators, scientists, and
prosecutors meet, review evidence, and discuss investigative strategies
Isolated Team Members
Detective
o They may be expected to independently put the puzzle together
Scientist
o May not be aware of how various ways the other members may
approach their analysis can affect the investigation
Opening lines of communication between individuals is not enough to rid
these isolations
The way for the puzzle to be put together is to synthesize the findings
into the investigation using the same theoretical model
, M1: Osteology, Anthropology
& Forensic Context
The facility design of modern forensic structures ties all of them
together
Facility Design
o Will continue to push the concepts of collaboration and
collaborative space while protecting the need for evidence secure
facilities
The core of anthropology research and discovery will continue to guide
investigation and drive facility design
If we fail to focus our various methods through a coherent, theoretical
framework, then we run the risk of not accomplishing what we set out to
do
We should not over-rely on technological advancements
Research
Article
Differentiation of
Hydrocephalic Calf &
Human Calvariae
Two calavariae skulls from Okalahoma
SAMPLE A SAMPLE 2
Extremely dry and brittle Slightly pliable
Precipitin Line Formed w/ Antibovine
Serum
Non-Reactive with any antibodies Identity Pattern Developed w/ Bovine
Serum
Non-Reaction w/ Antisheep & Antideer
Gross Morphology
o Distinguishes human skeletal remains from non-human
Difficult Examination of Human Skeletal Remains Risk Factors
o Intense Heat, Taphonomic Changes, Surgical Intervention, Disease
Immunological Assessment of Soft Tissue
Testing methods are determined by sample characteristics
From the table above and the conditions of the extracts, coupled with the
fact that potential antigen concentration present was unknown….
o Led to the choice of a double diffusion test method
o Type 1 Agar (1%) in PBS at pH (7.2) with the addition of
polyethylene glycol 8000 (3.5%) to enhance precipitin lines and
prepared/stored 0-4°C
Precipitating antibodies were selected with the morphological
characteristics of the calvaria in mind
o [Sheep, Swine, Horse, Deer, Human] ----- Tested Species
Morphological data alone would leave the results inconclusive
Immunological Identification --- Bovine
o Potential for including techniques in similar cases
& Forensic Context
ASM 275
M1: Reading & Videos
Forensic Back before forensic anthropogony; investigators would have to go to
Magazine halls of academia and museums
o This was the only place you could find skeletonized individuals to
compare
What Anthropology
Due to the number of cases being brought to academic anthropologists it
Brings to the Table
led to the building of laboratories
Anthropology
o The study of humans
o For the simple definition; the field of anthropology is complex
Anthropologists
o People that frame and answer questions pertaining to human
behavior across both living and past human populations
o Develops theories that attempt to explain the complexities of
human interactions
To expect a single law enforcement professional to serve as
investigator, forensic scientist, and criminal intelligence analyst
would only prepare that individual for failure
Today anthropology has found home in many forensic facilities
Popular culture idolizes the concept of CSI within anthropology
o The fictional characters in these shows often assume the roles on
multiple disciplines in real life
Criminal Investigators rely on the team not individuals
The danger of overspecialization in any applied science arises if it limits
the ability or motivation for individuals to address the larger theoretical
issues and perhaps lose sight of the big picture
Benefit of Collaboration
Examination of the various types of investigations confronting law
enforcement and forensic science professionals
The most effective cold case or violent crime strategies is to conduct
structured case reviews where all the investigators, scientists, and
prosecutors meet, review evidence, and discuss investigative strategies
Isolated Team Members
Detective
o They may be expected to independently put the puzzle together
Scientist
o May not be aware of how various ways the other members may
approach their analysis can affect the investigation
Opening lines of communication between individuals is not enough to rid
these isolations
The way for the puzzle to be put together is to synthesize the findings
into the investigation using the same theoretical model
, M1: Osteology, Anthropology
& Forensic Context
The facility design of modern forensic structures ties all of them
together
Facility Design
o Will continue to push the concepts of collaboration and
collaborative space while protecting the need for evidence secure
facilities
The core of anthropology research and discovery will continue to guide
investigation and drive facility design
If we fail to focus our various methods through a coherent, theoretical
framework, then we run the risk of not accomplishing what we set out to
do
We should not over-rely on technological advancements
Research
Article
Differentiation of
Hydrocephalic Calf &
Human Calvariae
Two calavariae skulls from Okalahoma
SAMPLE A SAMPLE 2
Extremely dry and brittle Slightly pliable
Precipitin Line Formed w/ Antibovine
Serum
Non-Reactive with any antibodies Identity Pattern Developed w/ Bovine
Serum
Non-Reaction w/ Antisheep & Antideer
Gross Morphology
o Distinguishes human skeletal remains from non-human
Difficult Examination of Human Skeletal Remains Risk Factors
o Intense Heat, Taphonomic Changes, Surgical Intervention, Disease
Immunological Assessment of Soft Tissue
Testing methods are determined by sample characteristics
From the table above and the conditions of the extracts, coupled with the
fact that potential antigen concentration present was unknown….
o Led to the choice of a double diffusion test method
o Type 1 Agar (1%) in PBS at pH (7.2) with the addition of
polyethylene glycol 8000 (3.5%) to enhance precipitin lines and
prepared/stored 0-4°C
Precipitating antibodies were selected with the morphological
characteristics of the calvaria in mind
o [Sheep, Swine, Horse, Deer, Human] ----- Tested Species
Morphological data alone would leave the results inconclusive
Immunological Identification --- Bovine
o Potential for including techniques in similar cases
