NCJ Number
210836
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 32 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2005 Pages: 58,60,65
Date Published
July 2005
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the work of the forensic anthropologist in finding, retrieving, identifying, profiling, and interpreting evidence from a body.
Abstract
Means of locating a body are information provided by an informant or the perpetrator, the use of cadaver dogs, and the presence of flies and certain insects in a search area. Because of the activity of animals, weather, and environmental factors over time, a complete skeleton is rarely found when a body has gone undetected for a long period. Once bones have been found, the forensic anthropologist may be called to the scene to verify that the remains are human. After being identified as human, the forensic anthropologist may work with an evidence-collection team in excavation and recovery procedures. These procedures are described. In addition to determining whether the bones are from a human or an animal, the forensic anthropologist can determine the approximate time when the victim died; the victim's age, sex, height, and ethnic background; and in some cases, the types of trauma to which the victim was exposed. The latter may indicate the cause of death, notably when a bullet hole is in the skull or vertebrae in the neck are crushed. Fractures and holes left in a skull can often be matched to a possible murder weapon. Also, if a victim is stabbed with a knife, hatchet, or other sharp weapon, the blade may leave distinctive marks on bones contacted by the weapon. The forensic anthropologist must distinguish between markings on the bones due to animal activity after death and markings made from a weapon at the time of death.