Anthropology 2238A/B Study Guide - Final Guide: Forensic Anthropology, Orthopedic Surgery, Forensic Pathology

• School: Western University
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: Anthropology 2238A/B
• Professor: Andrea Waters

Document Summary

Forensic anthropology is the application of biological anthropology to the legal process; Scene search: forensic anthropologists can recognize dry bone & differentiate between animal vs human bone. Excavation and recovery: only called to the scene for individuals not going through normal stages of decay. Questions of identification: can estimate age of death, sex, stature, biological ancestry, etc. Cause, manner and mode of death: provide information of medical examiner to aid in determining this, determine time since death = post-mortem interval (pmi) Assist government agencies in identifying otherwise un-identifiable individuals: decomposition, burial treatment / method, taphonomic factors ex. animal scavenging, perimortem and post-mortem trauma. Help to determine mni & sort commingled remains. Look at age, sex, body size, and ancestry. Look at unique individualizing features: ex. dental work, orthopedic surgery, healed fractures, etc. Look for pathological conditions which could be the cause of death. Look for perimortem trauma which could indicate cause of death: ex. tool marks, wounds, fractures, etc.