Forensics and Bioarcheology Knowledge Check
a.
Explain how to estimate biological sex and age by studying the skeleton. What skeletal
features will you examine?
You'll likely check the pelvis and the skull, the overall condition of other bones, and the
epiphysial fusing. The pelvis has a wider subpubic angle, a ventral arc, a subpubic concavity, and
a sharp ridge down the
ischiopubic ramus
if the pelvis belongs to someone who is biologically
female. The teeth can tell you the skeleton's age if all the teeth haven't fully erupted yet;
otherwise, the wear and tear on the teeth may also aid in determining the age and the person's
health at the time of death. Different bones fuse at different ages, so comparing the epiphysial
fusing of bones can narrow down the person's age at the time of death
.
b.
You are a forensic anthropologist. You just received the remains of an individual found
in a nearby wooded area. What types of things can you look for on the remains to learn
more about the individual?
The condition of the teeth and bones and any signs of disease, activity, or trauma. Specifically, if
there's any damage to the teeth and bones that could denote the habits and lifestyle of the
decedent, potentially the cause of death, the gender, if they had any children, and potentially the
amount of time the remains have been in the elements. In teeth, this could mean dental attrition,
cavities, and plaque. In the skeleton, this could be antemortem, perimortem, or postmortem
trauma, signs of disease like arthritis, gout, or cancer, and bone and muscle adaptations to certain
activities, jobs, and hobbies. Animal and bug activity could help to specify the length of time the
remains have been in the elements in this location.
c.
Discuss the primary ethical issues faced by forensic anthropologists and others who
work with human remains.
The first thing that comes to mind is the cultural respect for the dead and their families.
Especially if their culture has been historically denigrated and there's a case for repatriation of
artifacts and ancestors' remains. I specifically think of the Native American Graves Protection
And Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and how important it is to honor the cultural heritage of Native
Americans and respect their wishes for the return and burial of the bodies of native peoples.
There's definitely an argument for being able to scientifically examine these remains before
returning them to learn more about the cultural heritage, genetics, and migration patterns of
Native Americans, but I also think that respecting the wishes of natives goes above the desires of
anthropologists and archaeologists when it comes to honoring the belief systems and desires of
historically oppressed people. I think in most other instances where you are handling remains
that there is a need for extreme sensitivity both for making sure that any examinations are done
as correctly and as thoroughly as possible while also simultaneously respecting the wishes of the
loved ones of the deceased as well as respecting the legacy of the dead themselves. There are
many instances in which a forensic anthropologist must be unbiased, reliable, and thorough.
These are things ranging from honoring the legacy of a cadaver while helping students learn
anatomy or studying the decay of humans, as well as things as horrifying as gaining information
on human rights violations or analyzing and cataloging remains in the aftermath of wars. The
best interests of the deceased should always come first above anything else.
