Forensic Anthropology Lab Report

Introduction

Forensic anthropology is the legal scientific study of human remains when a crime or a natural disaster has occurred. Various techniques are used to find out information such as time of death, cause of death, age, gender etc. Following the suicide of Mr. Mike Roberts (crime reference number 2492/19) on Wednesday, September 18th, Staffordshire Police conducted a search of Mr. Roberts’ house and garden. Whilst conducting the search, investigators noted a disturbance beneath an ornamental pond. Due to this discovery, a forensic archaeologist and anthropologist Dr.

Kirsty Squires was called to the scene. The technique Systematic Excavation revealed what appeared to be skeletal remains (evidence number DR/22-106), encased in a number of black bags, stored inside an oil drum. Dr. Kirsty Squires examined the remains and confirmed that they were human. Further to this, Dr. Kirsty Squires took custody of the remains at the scene. The remains, which were left in the black bags, were placed in large, plastic police evidence bags and taken to Staffordshire University Laboratories, where the skeletal material and bags were examined for trace evidence.

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The bones were then cleaned in cold water and left to dry before further analysis was undertaken. The lab practical took place on November 19th 2019, overseen by Dr. Kirsty Squires, based on the different types of methods which are used by forensic anthropologists. The aim of the work which was conducted in the laboratory practical was to discover the identity of the skeletal remains and correctly package them in a tamper proof evidence bag.

To clarify the police hypothesis, there are six individuals in total. This report will highlight the findings and the overall outcome of the analysis of the skeletal remains.

Methodology

Firstly, when analysing skeletal remains it is important to acknowledge which bones are present, which in this case were a Skull, Pelvis and Femur. Each bone was recorded on a skeletal remains recording form, which is where it was recorded that each of the three bones remained whole and that the skull was a whiter colour in comparison to the pelvis and the femur which showed some yellow discoloration. There were no signs of abrasion on any of the bones. Each of the bones were measured in centimetres, using a specific tool called an anthropometer. It is highly important to ensure that the determination of sex has already been carried out so that the correct calculations can be made in regards to bone measurements. The minimum number of individuals is one individual because no duplicates were found during the analysis and the maximum number of individuals is three individuals because there are three bones to identify. It was not clear if these bones belong to the same body, or multiple and would have to do DNA testing to confirm this, therefore this is the reason for there being three maximum individuals. These particular remains were discovered to be male. If a femur is found to be entire, then its total length can be used to estimate stature. The table below will portray the calculations which are used to estimate the stature by examination of the femur, based on different nationalities of males.

It is also possible to make identifications about remains based on dentition if teeth are present.

Results

Examination of the skull and pelvis revealed male traits, indicating that both bones belonged to a male individual. Traits specific to males were observed, such as a heavy brow ridge, large mental protuberance, and other characteristics.

The skull contained 28 teeth, none of which were wisdom teeth, suggesting that the remains belonged to an adolescent. The skull's color was paler than the pelvis and showed some brown discoloration. No trauma was observed on the skull.

The pelvis had a rougher area on the right side where it attached to the sacrum. It exhibited a different color, possibly due to environmental factors. No abrasions or trauma were found on the pelvis.

The femur, used for stature estimation, showed no signs of abrasion or trauma and had a yellow color with some brown discoloration, likely from the surrounding environment. The calculated stature ranged from 154.05cm to 160.59cm, with an average height of 157.32cm.

Discussion

Forensic anthropology has evolved over the years, with a focus on methods for estimating sex, age, and stature from skeletal remains. Thomas Dwight's contributions laid the foundation for forensic anthropology by introducing methods for examining human bones. Today, there are various graduate programs and resources available for aspiring forensic anthropologists.

Forensic anthropology offers numerous advantages in aiding criminal investigations. Experts can testify and provide evidence in court based on their findings. Various traits can be determined from skeletal remains, including sex, race, age, stature, and ancestry, all of which contribute to the identification of the individual.

However, anthropologists are obligated to report all their findings, even if they conflict with other evidence or investigative theories, as they play a crucial role in ensuring justice is served.

Conclusion

While the cause of death could not be determined from the skeletal remains, the analysis revealed that the bones most likely belonged to a single male individual. The estimated stature of the individual ranged from 154.05cm to 160.59cm, with an average height of 157.32cm. Further analysis, including DNA testing and X-rays, may be necessary to obtain a more detailed biological profile and identify potential trauma not visible to the naked eye.

Forensic anthropology continues to be a valuable field in criminal investigations, providing insights into the identity of individuals and contributing to the pursuit of justice.

References:

1. White, T. and Folkens, P. (2005). The Human Bone Manual. London: Elsevier Academic Press.
2. M Y El-Najjar; K R McWilliams (1978). Forensic Anthropology - The Structure, Morphology, and Variation of Human Bone and Dentition. USA: Charles C. Thomas p199.
3. Angi M, Christensen, Nicholas V, Eric J. Bartelink, Passalacqua, (2019). Forensic Anthropology: Current Methods and Practice. Elsevier Academic Press: 2nd Edition, p2 1:2.
4. Steadman, D. (2003). Hard evidence. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, p.27.