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Read All Notes in Conference: WEEK 4 Title: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Jerilyn Pecotte Date: Saturday, 10/25/2008 22:07 EDT Body: Assessing Ancestry/Race of Human Skeletal Remains Select Case #1 or Case #2. Post your assessment of the sex of the remains in the case you have selected, and answer the questions for each case. Also discuss in your posting --Why is better to ask an informant for a detailed description of physical characteristics than to ask, "What race"? Please respond to the postings of at least two other students in the class. Do you agree with their assessment?Why or why not? Case#1: The following skull has been brought to you for analysis: The skull is robust and shows evidence of heavy musculature. The skull has a non-projecting nose, round eye orbits, shovel-shaped incisors, and complex cranial sutures (Wormian Bones). Could this skull be that of a middle-aged Polish-American woman who has been reported missing by her family in the region? Why or why not? Case#2: A skull is found with an even number of characteristics indicating African and European ancestry. What race/ancestry would you indicate in your forensic anthropological report? What additional evidence (e.g., from the individual or skeleton) might be helpful to you in assessing ancestry ? Due date for postings and responses is November 1, 2008

Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Week 4: Case 1 Author: Brian Elliot Kurz Date: Sunday, 10/26/2008 8:49 EDT Body: Case#1: The following skull has been brought to you for analysis: The skull is robust and shows evidence of heavy musculature. The skull has a non-projecting nose, round eye orbits, shovel-shaped incisors, and complex cranial sutures (Wormian Bones). Could this skull be that of a middle-aged Polish-American woman who has been reported missing by her family in the region? Why or why not? I would say that this skull is not that of a Polish-American woman. In fact I would estimate that this skull belongs to a male of Mogoloid descent based on the shovel- shaped incisors, non-projecting nose, and round eye orbits this person is of Mongoloid descent. Additionally the fact that the skull is robust and shows evidence of heavy musculature lends itself to being from a male. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4: Case 1 Author: Dianna Marie Armstrong Date: Tuesday, 10/28/2008 15:44 EDT Body: I have to agree with you Brian. My first thought was the robust shape and heavy musculature led me to think male. Upon checking our notes, the round eye orbits, shovel-shaped incisors, and Wormian bones point to Asian ancestry. Dianna Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4: Case 1 Author: Barbara J Jordan

Date: Thursday, 10/30/2008 13:00 EDT Body: Hello Brian, I agree with you. I researched the Wormian sutures and find that they have no meaning that would determine sex or, so far, determine much of anything. I think that the skull we addressed could have been either. I decided it could also a mixture of Asian and American Indian. I left you a note in questions and problems about the research for my project. Best Barbara Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4: Case 1 Author: Karen Charles Date: Thursday, 10/30/2008 14:23 EDT Body: I think all the characteristics immediately led me to believe that the skull was of Mongoloid ancestry but it took me a while but I also agree that the bone were that of a male. Respond to this note Aside Title: Response to Brian ~ Re: Week 4: Case 1 Author: Sherrie Leshell Gilliam Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 0:59 EDT Body: I agree with you, Brian, it is not a skull of a Polish woman. She would have had to be a very unique individual wouldn't you say. Although it took me awhile to figure this one out because I somehow how kept confusing myself with all the information I was taking in, I eventually figured it out to be that of a man with the Asian, Native American, Mongoloid characteristics. However, I have to admit that the Wormian Bones through me way off into no mans land. Don't laugh! Respond to this note

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Response Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Karen Charles Date: Monday, 10/27/2008 7:37 EDT Body: The skull appears to be that of a person of Asian, Native American or Mongoloid decent based on the characteristics. The skull show a non-projecting nose, round eye orbits, shovel-shaped incisors, complex cranial sutures (Wormian Bones) and a robust and heavy musculature. It is important to as about physical characteristics other than race because a person might be a mix of two different races. For example the person might have a black mother and white father will have characteristics of both parents so it will be difficult to place them in one of the three categories alone. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Robyn L Morrison Date: Tuesday, 10/28/2008 13:47 EDT Body: That is something that would not have thought of right away. I assume being a mixture of different ancestry would then change the ability to place that person in one category. I would definitely have to agree with you both that it does not belong to the missing Polish woman, unless she was originally from Asia or is of Native American ancestry, and use to be a male. In this world, anything is possible though right? Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Abby Renee King Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 16:03 EDT Body: I believe that the skull is Asian and Mongoloid decent because of the characteristics presented on this case. The Wormian bones is the easiest indicator that the skull is mongoloid since African and European ancestries do not have as complex cranial sutures. Characteristics of the skull help determine the race and gender of the person.

Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Rebecca Ann Mcknight Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 21:19 EDT Body: I agree, it would be hard to separate out exactly which race it was from because there could be several different races. If the missing woman was Polish- American, she could have a rather mixed background. If her family had been in the United States for several generations, her ancestory could be quite mixed. So, I would probably be able to say the unknown skeleton didn't belong to the missing woman, but if its features hadn't been as distinct, it might have not been as easy to determine the ancestory. Respond to this note Aside Title: Response to Karen Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Sherrie Leshell Gilliam Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 0:51 EDT Body: Karen, I would have to agree with you here as well. I suppose if everything could be as straight forward as it should be then things would not be as difficult. Right? What I'm saying is this, here in the United States, you are bond to come across a lot of skull/skeletonized bodies and asked to make an analysis, however, if you are not working with the basics characteristics of just one race/ancestry, and the person did have a mixed background with say Asian and African American, how easy do you think it would be to determine their race? Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Week 4- Case #2 Author: Robyn L Morrison Date: Tuesday, 10/28/2008 12:14 EDT Body: A skull is found with an even number of characteristics indicating African and European ancestry. What race/ancestry would you indicate in your forensic anthropological report? What additional evidence (e.g., from the individual or skeleton) might be helpful to you in assessing ancestry?

Even though the midface characteristics are far different between the two, African and European ancestors shared many cranial traits. For example, both characteristically have blade-shaped maxillary incisors, small retreating zygomatic, and simple cranial sutures. The identifiable differences are the shape of maxiallary molars, the profile being either orthognathic or prognathic, and the shape of the chin and cranium. As for the jaw, both share the trait for no shovel shaped incisors, and neither have a straight palatal. The identifiable difference would be the width of the palatal and the curve of the dental row. And lastly, the hair form can help aid in identifying the correct ancestry. I would need to know the identifying differences to be able to determine the ancestry of the remains. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4- Case #2 Author: Brian Elliot Kurz Date: Tuesday, 10/28/2008 18:57 EDT Body: I must agree that when you have a skull that has the traits of multiple ancestries, it makes an identification very difficult. Especially since the concept of pure ancestries is becoming a thing of the past, the resulting merging of ancestries will most likely lead to new categories of identifying remains. I am still not sure which ancestry the remains belong to based on the information provided. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4- Case #2 Author: Abby Renee King Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 15:47 EDT Body: I agree that there needs to be identifying differences on the skull to determine the race. The question does not provide enough information to make the correct identification. I would have to determine the race by the characteristics and features that are on the skull. The lack of information in this case would leave me to conclude that the skull is both from an African and European decent. Respond to this note

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Aside Title: Re: Week 4- Case #2 Author: Rebecca Ann Mcknight Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 21:32 EDT Body: From the information give, I, too, think it would be hard to determine the origin of of the skull. If the ancestory of the skull is equally distrubuted between both races, I think it could make identification especially difficult. Hair could be helpful in identifying the race if it was located with the skull, but even that could be not as helpful if it had been treated or processed. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4- Case #2 Author: Candice J Painter Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 23:16 EDT Body: I agree. With an even amount of characteristics for both ethnicitys, it would be difficult to say with certainty who the skull belonged to. If the skull is the only evidence they have to go on in determining ethnicity, I wonder what they would do in that case. If they did have the skeleton, they could look at other identifiable characteristics such as the length of the bones and the pelvis shape to indicate sex. They might also look at the femoral shaft to indicate the ethnicity. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4- Case #2 Author: Jerilyn Pecotte Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 19:00 EST Body: Socially, this individual would have most likely been identified as African American. Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Dianna Marie Armstrong Date: Tuesday, 10/28/2008 15:55 EDT Body:

Case#1: The following skull has been brought to you for analysis: The skull is robust and shows evidence of heavy musculature. The skull has a non-projecting nose, round eye orbits, shovel-shaped incisors, and complex cranial sutures (Wormian Bones). Could this skull be that of a middle-aged Polish-American woman who has been reported missing by her family in the region? Why or why not? The robust shape of the skull along with the heavy musculature lead me to believe this skull is most likely male. The non-projecting nose, round eye orbits, shovel-shaped incisors, and Wormian Bones lead me to believ this person is of Asian Origin. So in this case, no, this would not be the Polish- American woman that is missing in the area. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Brian Elliot Kurz Date: Tuesday, 10/28/2008 19:02 EDT Body: I have to agree with your assessment that the remains are not those of the missing woman. The heavy musculature, flat nose, and shovel shaped incisors were the big indicators for me that the remains were of a male of Asian or Native American descent. Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS case 1 Author: Barbara J Jordan Date: Tuesday, 10/28/2008 20:02 EDT Body: 1. The following skull has been brought to you for analysis: The skull is robust and shows evidence of heavy musculature. The skull has a non-projecting nose, round eye orbits, shovel-shaped incisors, and complex cranial sutures (Wormian Bones). Could this skull be that of a middle-aged Polish-American woman who has been reported missing by her family in the region? Why or why not? ###### According to the text, we can

surmise that the skull is male by its robustness and evidence of heavy musculature. The skull has a non-projecting nose, round eye orbits and shovel shaped incisors. The attributes of the skull's non-projecting nose, and shovel shaped incisors indicates a Mongoloid heritage. Native American or possibly Native American and Asian mix. Accroding to my research, Wormian sutures can occur in any race and very little is known about them so they are not helpful for identity. The skull is not that of a polish woman missing in the neighborhood as the skull would by virtue of the feminine the skull would be more gracile and less heavily muscled. The Polish woman would more likely have carried the genetic characteristics of the Euro. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS case 1 Author: Dianna Marie Armstrong Date: Wednesday, 10/29/2008 13:20 EDT Body: I agree with you that this skull most likely does not belong to the Polish woman. You made mention that the Wormian Bones could occur in any race and are not helpful. The power point leads me to believe they are useful. It says: Slide 11: The vault sutures in Asian origin skulls are complex, as seen in this slide. Wormian bones (accessory bones in the lambdoid suture) are more commonly seen in persons of Asian origin. So I would tend to believe that if they are more commonly seen in Asian origins that they could be used to help determine race. Do you not think so? Dianna Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS case 1 to Diana update 30 Oct Author: Barbara J Jordan Date: Thursday, 10/30/2008 13:05 EDT Body: Hi Diana, the research I did on the Wormian structures basicaly said they could occur in any race and basically examined them from a prebirth age. The articles I read were searching for disease or consequence. The last description I read said that Wormian sutures were almost always associtaed with central nervous system diseases. Also, the research covered many races. If you're interested in the article, it is from http://www.thefetus.net Best

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Barbara Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS case 1 to Diana Author: Karen Charles Date: Thursday, 10/30/2008 13:44 EDT Body: I too also thought that Wormian Bones were only common in Native American, Asian or Mongoloid Ancestry because of what I observed from the powerpoint. Respond to this note Aside Title: Wormian bones Author: Jerilyn Pecotte Date: Thursday, 10/30/2008 21:57 EDT Body: Wormian bones occur at higher frequencies in Asian populations compared to other populations.The development of the bones is not well understood. FROM: http://www.thefetus.net/page.php?id=1513 Table 1. Percentage of wormian bones in different populations according to Brothwell 17 <TBODY><TBODY> Population Incidence Chinese 80.32% German 75.00% Australian 72.58% Iron/Age Romano-British 71.03% Melanesian 64.15% Lachish 63.41% Anglo-Saxon 55.56% Respond to this note

Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS case 1 to Diana update 30 Oct Author: Dianna Marie Armstrong Date: Friday, 10/31/2008 10:51 EDT Body: Wow that was very interesting! I still see that Asian races are more likely to have the Wormian Bones but other races can also have high occurances. I couldn't believe the different shapes and sizes shown in the ultrasounds. Some of them were huge. It was good to see that the babies had normal deliveries and were progressing normally. I think I'd be frightened to death to see something like that in a ultrasound. Dianna Respond to this note Aside Title: Response to Dr. Pecotte~Re: Wormian bones Author: Sherrie Leshell Gilliam Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 2:26 EST Body: So it safe to assume that the Wormian Bones are most likely found in Asian's due to the percentage of a little over 80%? I will research this further! Respond to this note Aside Title: Response to Sherrie Author: Jerilyn Pecotte Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 17:09 EST Body: Wormian bones have been found at higher frequencies in certain Asian populations. Wormian bones AND shovel shaped incisors would be 2 characteristics that tend to be found in Asians. The more characteristics that you can see that are Asian, even if not exclusively found only in Asians, the more likely the bones indicate Asian ancestry. For example, A female might have a square chin but if 3 other characteristics of the skull are female, one would most likely estimate sex as female. It is not an exact science, in part, because of the tremendous variation within one population and also admixture between 2 different populations. If the genetics of these characteristics are not well understood, they also cannot be absolute because environment may have had an effect.

Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS case 1 to Diana update 30 Oct Author: Jerilyn Pecotte Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 17:31 EST Body: It is good to look for additional sources, but be wary of accepting one internet site as the absolute authority! It would be better to look in the library at peer reviewed publications. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Response to Sherrie Author: Sherrie Leshell Gilliam Date: Wednesday, 11/19/2008 2:10 EST Body: Thank you for clearing this up for me. I understand it more. Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Case # 1 Author: Renee M Harris Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 11:06 EDT Body: Due to the robust skull, round eye orbits and heavy musculature, I believe this skull is NOT of a middle-aged Polish American woman. I would venture to guess that this skull belongs to an Asian male due to the typical male features of the skull but also because of the complex cranial sutures. Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Abby Renee King Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 14:56 EDT Body: A skull is found with an even number of characteristics indicating African and European ancestry. What race/ancestry would you indicate in your forensic

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anthropological report? What additional evidence (e.g., from the individual or skeleton) might be helpful to you in assessing ancestry ? The characteristics indicate that the skull has an African and European ancestry, therefore, the skull has inherited traits from both groups overtime. I would indicate that the person was African and European because there is no dominant characteristics of either ancestry present in this case.The even number of traits present on the skull makes it difficult for Forensic Anthropologist to determine which ancestry is dominant. In fact, Forensic Anthropologists determine the ancestral group (race) by measuring the variations and shape of the bones. The variations in the nose, face, jaw, and teeth determine the ancestral group. Variations in African decent include a smooth elongated cranium, broad nasal opening, and projecting alveolar process. In addition, the variations in European decent include a rough elongated face, narrow nasal opening, and a projecting chin. The skull's gender could not be determined because there was not enough details provided from the information given. A Forensic Anthropologist would have to look at the characteristics for the skull or pelvis to determine the gender. In addition, it is better to give physical characteristics because distinctions between race have become blurred because of the melting pot. Also, cultural activities within each ancestral group have manipulated the bones in the body. Respond to this note Aside Title: Response to Abby~Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Sherrie Leshell Gilliam Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 2:32 EST Body: Abby, Hello! You made very valid points in regards to commingling of races/ancestry over time. I tend to agree with Brian, I think it was, when he stated another technique would have to be developed to accurately determine answers to case 2. You have to commingled ancestry, how did you assess what to look for and determine they were African and European descent? Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Jerilyn Pecotte

Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 17:36 EST Body: Socially, in people of mixed races, they are usually identified by the minority race. Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Barbara J Jordan Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 19:43 EDT Body: Investigation of Limbs Found in Water Using Anthropological Analysis and Diatom Testing Forensic Science International 112 (2000) 1-9 Authors Gruspier, K. and Pollanen, M. Barbara Jordan Presentation ANTH 398F This investigation used a multi-disciplinary approach, of five cases of dismembered limbs recovered from Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Niagara River and examined at the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario. All cases in postmortem examination reveal severing of the limbs occurred in the postmortem period by non-human taphonomic processes[The study of the conditions and processes by which organisms become fossilized. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/taphonomic] . In addition to routine gross examination,

the femur and/or tibia evaluation used anthropological methods to give estimates of the sex, age, race and stature of the individual. Diatom frustules recovered from marrow extracts indicate drowning as the cause of death or at least a significant contributing factor in the cause of death. Use of the diatom test excludes the possibility that the dismemberment of limbs occurred by means other than drowning. The application of anthropological methods and the diatom test for drowning may significantly enhance the medico-legal investigation of body parts recovered from water. Anthropological data facilitates identification and the diatom test may establish a cause of death. Origin of Cases Five dismembered lower limbs recovered from Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Niagara River in Ontario Canada and examined at the office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario were studied. In all cases, postmortem examination revealed that the legs had been disarticulated in the postmortem period by non-human taphonomicprocesses. None of the limbs showed antemortem[predeath injuries]. All cases consisted of limbs with a thigh, leg and foot attached and four cases retained at least a portion of a pelvis. In addition to routine gross examination the femur and/or tibia assessment benefited by anthropological methods yielding estimates of the sex, age, race and stature of the individual, for purposes of identifying the decedent. In all cases, nitric acid extracts of the femoral bone marrow were prepared and examined for the presence of diatoms, to determine if death was caused by drowning. Anthropological Analysis Following gross examination the limbs were de-fleshed in order to facilitate assessment of anthropological characteristics. The goal of the anthropological analysis was to determine the sex, age, race and stature of the decedent aiding in identification. These determinations depended on the completeness of the specimen. A variety of methods are discussed in each section and not all methods were applied to each of the cases studied. Also, newer methods which can be applied with useful results are described. Age Union of the epiphyses indicates whether the individual is an adult or a juvenile and the degree of fusion can be useful in specifying an age range. The most complete standards for determining age from fusion of the epiphyses(legs and feet) for Caucasian males are derived from dry bone specimens using existing standards. Sex When the pelvis or portions of the pelvis are present determination of sex can be

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accomplished using classic morphological methods(e.g. sub pubic angle, ventral arc, greater sciatic notch. In the absence of the pelvis, sex may be determined by metrical methods on long bones and bones of the foot. These may include both the lengths and proximal or distal widths of the long bones. Erroneous information may result if the limb derives from large a female or a small male. Race Race determination from bones of the lower extremity is difficult. Standards have been derived from recent forensic cases in North America and are available in the FORDISC 2.0 computer program. In addition the intercondylar shelf angle of the distal femur may be useful for race determinations. Stature The determination of living height can be a key investigational tool and is based upon the assumption that there is a linear relationship between the height of an individual and the length of his or her bones. Utilization of standard forensic equations will present a wide prediction interval which will tend to make them maximally inclusive. If the Trotter and Gleser formulae are used, the correct confidence interval is presented with a mean height. A recent publication provides the summary data from the original publications for calculation of a confidence interval on a case by case basis. Diatom Analysis In all cases femurs were sawed along the long axis, the bone morrow (~50 g) removed using a spatula and placed into a flask. Diatom free nitric acid was added and the marrow-acid suspension simmered on a hot plate for approximately 48 h in a fume hood. The suspension was then cooled to room temperature and sequentially centrifuged (250- 500 g, 20-30 min). The pellet containing the acid resistant material was aspirated using a Pasture pipette and dropped onto a clean microscope slide. The residue was air dried, mounted and examined using phase contrast microscopy. All reagents used for the extraction were free of diatoms. An absolute contraindication to the use of the diatom test was a fracture of other discontinuity of the cortical surface of the femur. Case Study One and Two Cases 1 and 2 derive from the same individual, recovered a few days apart. Case 1 was a left lower limb, with the left half of the bony pelvis attached recovered from the Niagara River at Niagara Glen. Decomposition was slight and consistent with death occurring three weeks earlier. In addition, the bones of the limbs are badly shattered. Gross anatomical observation suggested that the limb derived from a short stocky, Caucasian female with an 8 ½” foot. After de-fleshing, it was confirmed that the limb was from a female, by the morphological characteristics of the greater sciatic notch and the iliopectineal line[An oblique ridge on the inner surface of the ilium, continuing on the

pubis and separating the small from the large pelvis]. Morphological changes of the pubic symphysis suggested that the individual was 45 to 50 years of age. A stature estimate was approximated from an x-ray of the limb on the femur and the tibia. Combined measurements of these bones, after correction for magnification produced a living stature estimate of 4’11” to 5’. Diatom analysis was not possible due to the shattering of the femur. Case 2 was a right lower limb with most of the right pelvis attached. The limb had been recovered from the shore of Lake Ontario at Grimsby. Recent antemortem contusion of the bone was found. The most proximal end of the specimen showed scalloped sharp force wounds and extensive comminuted fractures of the pelvis consistent with the action of a ship’s propeller of turbines. Gross morphological analysis suggested a stocky Caucasian female with a moderate hallux valgus [ big toe bent outward] deformity and a minor degree of hammertoe. The foot was measured at 8 ½”. After de-fleshing the sex was confirmed by the morphology of the greater sciatic notch of the pelvis and the vertical width of the femoral head. The pubic sypmhysis was not present and an age at death was not estimated. Stature derived from the length of the femur, at 5’1” in height. The police investigation uncovered evidence indicating that the decedent had jumped into Niagara Falls near power turbines. The cause of death was drowning. Case 3 (limb 3) This case consisted of the left lower limb and disarticulated at the hip, recovered from beach at Grimsby, Ontario. The limb was moderately decomposed and reported to be consistent with death occurring 3 weeks to 3 months prior to the recovery dated. Gross morphological analysis suggested that the limb was derived from a Caucasian male who was stocky and well muscled. The foot was measured at 9 ½”. After de-fleshing the vertical width of the femoral head confirmed the sex. The age was 18 to 50 years shown by a complete fusion of epiphyses and a lack of degenerative changes to the joint surfaces. The stature was estimated from the combined lengths of the femur, tibia and fibula at 5’8”. Three species of diatoms were recovered from the femoral bone marrow presenting the case of death as drowning. The individual has not been identified. Final Case Study 4 (limbs 4 and 5) The case consisted of the left lower limb and left half of the pelvis and the right lower limb and parts of the right pelvis. The limbs were recovered a few days apart from the Niagara Gorge at the foot of Niagara Falls. Decomposition was slight, suggesting a time since death of 1 to 2 weeks. External examination suggested that the limbs came from a stocky, well-muscled Caucasian male. The proximal portions of the limbs showed features similar to Case 1. The foot was measured at 9”. Sex was confirmed by de- fleshing and was assessed by the sub pubic angle and sciatic notch of the hips and the vertical width of the femoral heads. The appearance of the left pubic symphysis suggested an age of 32 to 38 years. The stature was derived from the combined lengths of left and right femora and tibiae and was estimated at 5’5”. Three species of diatoms recovered from the femoral bone showed the cause of death as drowning. All of the cases filled examination criteria.

Pubic Synthisis Wikipedia Image3D Diatoms Works Cited Forensic Science International v. 112, 24 Jul., 2000, pgs. 1-9 http://www.science direct.com.epoxy.umuc.edu/science , Authors - Gruspier, K., Pollanen,M. Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/ 3 D Image Quest http://www.imagequest3d.com Medicine Net.com http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6406 Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Jerilyn Pecotte Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 20:48 EDT Body: Hi Barbara, Please repost in POWERPOINT SUMMARIES with your last name and an abbreviated article title. Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Topic #1 Author: Rebecca Ann Mcknight Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 21:16 EDT Body: The following skull has been brought to you for analysis: The skull is robust and shows evidence of heavy musculature. The skull has a non-projecting nose, round eye orbits, shovel-shaped incisors, and complex cranial sutures (Wormian Bones). Could this skull be that of a middle-aged Polish-American woman who has been reported missing by her

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family in the region? Why or why not? No, this is most likely not the skeleton of the missing polish-american woman. A skeleton of European origin would have projecting nose (prominent nasal spine), sloped orbits, spatulate incisors, and skulls with simple vault sutures. The skull brought to me for analysis is most likely of Asian origin. Also, with the heavy musculature, it appears to be male, not female. Respond to this note Aside Title: To Rebecca Author: Candice J Painter Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 23:08 EDT Body: Rebecca, I agree with your take that this skeleton is probably a male of Asian descent. The physical characteristics of the skull do not fit with that of someone either of African or European descent. As far as the skull being that of a males, I also agree. The heavy musculature and robustness of it seem to indicate that. Since we don't have a pelvis to examine, which would give us the best evidence, I think from this description we have to assume it is a male skull. Candice Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Melanie Gutierrez Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 22:05 EDT Body: Case 2: This skull seems to belong to a male whose race could be classifed under the Mongoloid description based on incisor shape and presence of Wormian bones. The presence of any skeletal evidence of body manipulation, such as footbinding or neck stretching, would help in iding a particular culture. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Candice J Painter Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 23:02 EDT Body:

Melanie, It is interesting that you included foot binding as a possible indicator of Asian descent. I am taking another class about the history of China and I know this used to be a common practice in China, but I had no idea that it is still practiced! Also, I've never heard of neck stretching. Is that a common practice of Asians? Anyway, I agree with your take that this is probably the skull of a male from Asian descent. I would add that the round shaped eye sockets are also a good indicator of Asian descent. Candice Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Jerilyn Pecotte Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 17:28 EST Body: In a case relevant within the last 50 years??? Respond to this note Response Title: Case #2 Author: Candice J Painter Date: Saturday, 11/01/2008 23:00 EDT Body: I don't believe this skull could be that of a middle-aged Polish American woman because it does not fit within the descriptions of a female from European descent, but rather of a male of Asian descent. First, the evidence seems to point to a male skull because it is large and seems to have heavy musculature. Secondly, the round eye orbits, shovel- shaped incisors, and the complex cranial sutures (Wormian Bones) are indicators of a skull from a person of Asian descent, not of European descent. I think it is more important to ask an informant for a detailed description of physical characteristics rather than what their race was because it can be a subjective question. One person may think someone looked

African American, while another may think that they were more of a Caucasian. Many people are of mixed ethnicity and may have characteristics of more than one ethnicity. Therefore, it is better to ask for a description of physical characteristics so that law enforcement does not incorrectly assume someone is one ethnicity and disclude any others in their search for that person. Respond to this note Response Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Sherrie Leshell Gilliam Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 1:03 EST Body: The following skull has been brought to you for analysis: The skull is robust and shows evidence of heavy musculature. The skull has a non-projecting nose, round eye orbits, shovel-shaped incisors, and complex cranial sutures (Wormian Bones). Could this skull be that of a middle-aged Polish-American woman who has been reported missing by her family in the region? Why or why not? During my research with this question and not being too familiar with bones and such, it took me awhile to figure this one out. To be honest, it was a little intimidating for me but I hung in there and was able to figure it out. According to what I read and the information in the presentations, my determination is this is not a skull of a Polish woman who her family has reported missing from her region. This is a skull of a man. Although, there is a possibility of woman having evidence of heavy musculature, what eventually stood out to me non-projecting nose and the shovel shaped incisors which led me to believe this was a skull from a man. As I looked further, and picked up the information referencing the complex cranial sutures(Wormian Bones) which I just happened to stubble upon, it confirmed my findings that this skull is from that of a man with either Asian, Native American, Mongoloid Orgin. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Jerilyn Pecotte

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Date: Sunday, 11/02/2008 17:22 EST Body: This is a skull of a man. Although, there is a possibility of woman having evidence of heavy musculature, what eventually stood out to me non- projecting nose and the shovel shaped incisors which led me to believe this was a skull from a man . Sherrie, non projecting nose and shovel shaped incisors are not male characteristics but rather racial characteristics. Respond to this note Aside Title: Re: Week 4 CONFERENCE TOPICS Author: Sherrie Leshell Gilliam Date: Wednesday, 11/19/2008 2:09 EST Body: I understand it now. Thank you! Respond to this note Title: Week 4 CHECKLIST Author: Jerilyn Pecotte Date: Saturday, 10/25/2008 22:03 EDT Body: Checklist for Week Four (ANTH 398F) >Required Reading: Thomas, Forensic Anthropology , chapters 11,12 > Optional Reading: White et al., Human Bone Manual, chapters 5, 17 > Review Instructor's PowerPoint presentation for Week Four > Submit Paper Summary/Presentation to online assignment folder

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> Review Osteointeractive website on Forensic Anthropology: http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/ > Participate in Online Discussion Conference (Week Four) Due date for Week Four is Nov 1, 2008. Respond to this note Title: Week 4 Goals and Objectives Author: Jerilyn Pecotte Date: Saturday, 10/25/2008 22:06 EDT Body: Week Four Goals and Objectives >Learn how to use skeletal evidence to address the following forensic anthropological questions: Q6: What was the person's race/ancestry? Q9: What was the cause of death? Q10: What was the manner of death?

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