ANTHROP 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Osteology, Deconstruction, Paleopathology
16 Sep 2013
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Forensic anthropologists can somewhat do a biological profile. Good at understanding before death, during death and after death trauma. Do not make final determination of death. Do not take down criminals or arrest people. Look at rate at which organic tissue breaks down and is destroyed. Breakdown and deconstruction of human remains begins about 2-3 days after death in an unrefrigerated scenario. Certain soils can preserve bodies very well (sedimentary/volcanic ash) Need to be able to identify fragments of bones. Bone may be burnt (changes shape, colour and texture of bone) Other materials can look like bone (ex. Some bones may be similar to animal bones. Do not want to involve police if actually dealing with archaeological sample. Want to look for evidence of dental treatment, artifacts (coins with dates, wallet, etc. Minimum number of individuals: least number of individuals that can account for the bones present. 30 right femurs = minimum of 30 people.
