Anthropology 2235A/B Lecture Notes - Pubic Symphysis, Iliac Crest, Forensic Anthropology

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

Document Summary

Traditionally, as summarized in 1988 by iscan, forensic anthropology focused on reconstructing osteobiographies (aging, sexing, stature, ethnicity). Dirkmatt et al emphasizes both lab and field skills. The changes in admissibility and the influence of. Dna have changed the landscape of forensic anthropology. Some researchers have suggested that with the advent of dna testing, individuation of skeletal remains has been replaced. We countered that by noting several important contributions individuation still makes to forensic science. Dirkmatt et al mention the development of improved quantitative methods from modern databases like the fdb (fordisc). The fordisc program uses multivariate statistics based on the fdb to estimate stature (osteometrics of long bones) and sex and ancestry (based on craniometrics). There are a number of reasons why doing an osteobiography is still relevant 1. Dna may not always be preserved and even if it is, there could be allelic dropout.