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Forensic Notes

Forensic anthropology is a specialized field that applies skeletal biology to legal contexts, primarily for identifying unrecognizable deceased individuals. Key goals include establishing biological profiles, assessing trauma, and assisting in the recovery of remains, often collaborating with law enforcement and medical examiners. The field has evolved since the mid-20th century, emphasizing ethical practices, scientific objectivity, and interdisciplinary approaches.

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4 views

Forensic Notes

Forensic anthropology is a specialized field that applies skeletal biology to legal contexts, primarily for identifying unrecognizable deceased individuals. Key goals include establishing biological profiles, assessing trauma, and assisting in the recovery of remains, often collaborating with law enforcement and medical examiners. The field has evolved since the mid-20th century, emphasizing ethical practices, scientific objectivity, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Uploaded by

jackiegarcia022705
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

Key Concepts
●​ Forensic Anthropology Defined
○​ Forensic anthropology is a specialized branch of biological (physical)
anthropology.
○​ It applies skeletal biology to legal settings, especially in identifying deceased
individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated, or otherwise
unrecognizable
●​ Main Goals of Forensic Anthropology
○​ Establish a biological profile: age, sex, ancestry, stature
○​ Assess trauma and pathology: differentiate between perimortem (around the time
of death), antemortem (before death), and postmortem changes
○​ Identifying remains: sometimes through comparison with antemortem records like
X-rays or dental charts
○​ Assist in recovery: often helps archaeologists or law enforcement recover remains
in forensic contexts
●​ What Forensic Anthropologists Do
○​ Analyze skeletal remains in labs and field settings
○​ Helped locate burial sites using archaeological methods
○​ Work with law enforcement, medical examiners, and disaster victim identification
(DVI) teams
○​ May testify in court as expert witnesses
Key Terms and Definitions
●​ Forensic Anthropology: the study of human remains for legal purposes
●​ Osteology: the study of bones
●​ Biological Profile: a reconstruction of the person’s age, sex, ancestry, and stature
●​ Taphonomy: the study of what happens to remains after death
○​ Ex. decompsotion
●​ Medico-legal: pertaining to medical and legal investigations
○​ Ex. homicide
●​ Chain of custody: the documentation process that ensures evidence has not been
tampered with
●​ Perimortem: occurring around the time of death
●​ Antemortem: occuring before death
●​ Postmortem: occurring after death
●​ Trauma analysis: examination of bones for signs of injury or violence
Historical Foundations
●​ Early Origins
○​ Rooted in physical anthropology, which studies the evolution and variation of
humans
○​ Forensic anthropology was not formally recognized as a field until the mid-20th
century
●​ Key Moments
○​ WWII and Korean War: Anthropologists helped identify military dead
○​ 1960s-70s: Growth of forensic anthropology through academic programs and
professional organizations
○​ American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABRA): established to set standards
and certification
○​ Influential cases like the CILHI (Central Indentifcation Laboratory, Hawaii) and
work with the Smithsonian Institution solidified its legitimacy
Roles and Responsibilities
●​ A Forensic Anthropologist Must
1.​ Recover remains in a controlled, legal, and ethical way
2.​ Analyze the skeleton for demographic information and trauma
3.​ Document everything meticulously for legal purposes
4.​ Write clear reports and possibly testify in court
5.​ Remain objective- avoid assumptions not supported by evidence
Interdisciplinary Nature of the Field
●​ Forensic anthropology involves:
○​ Biology and anatomy: for understanding the human skeleton
○​ Archaeology: for excavation and contextual analysis
○​ Pathology: to help disease and trauma
○​ Legal and ethical standards: to ensure proper handling of human remains
Professional Ethics
●​ Must maintain scientific objectivity
●​ Must follow legal protocols, such as chain of custody
●​ Respect for the deceased and the living family members
●​ Avoid public speculation; uphold confidentoality
Common Techniques and Tools
●​ Metric and non-metric analysis: measuring bones and observing traits
●​ Comparative radiography: comparing x-rays of bones with antemortem records
●​ Facial reconstruction: estimating appearance based on skull features (usually as a last
resort)
●​ DNA analysis: (in partnership with other experts) helps with positive ID when other
methods fail

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