Anthropology 2235A/B Lecture Notes - Forensic Anthropology, Taphonomy, Forensic Science

• School: Western University
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: Anthropology 2235A/B
• Professor: Eldon Molto

Document Summary

Anthropology and dentistry have overlapping skills in forensic science, but are not included in the same sections of the american and canadian societies. Both areas are skilled in the use of teeth for aging unidentified remains, though their approaches are different. Dentistry became involved because of the use of antemortem and post-mortem records and anthropologists in the identification of unknowns through skeletal evidence. Today, both subareas are being redefined, particularly anthropology. Both, however, are involved in mass disasters and crimes against humanity. Forensic anthropology: traditionally, forensic anthropology has focused on laboratory techniques for individuating biological identity, plus some details of personal identity. All people have two identities: biological identity (bi) age, sex, ancestry, stature. Personal identity (pi) name and defining idiosyncratic characteristics, which are unique traits. In cases where remains are unknown, the process of identification (individualization/individuation) proceeds from establishing the biological identity to determining the personal identity.