NCJ Number
57116
Date Published
1979
Length
317 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY, ROLE, AND METHODS OF FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY ARE DISCUSSED IN A TEXT FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND PRACTITIONERS OF FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY AND FOR OTHER IDENTIFICATION SPECIALISTS.
Abstract
FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY DEALS WITH THE IDENTIFICATION OF (PRIMARILY SKELETAL) HUMAN REMAINS. BEYOND THE ELIMINATION OF NONHUMAN ELEMENTS, FORENSIC ANTHOPOLOGISTS SEEK INFORMATION ON THE SEX, AGE, RACE, STATURE, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INDIVIDUAL UNDER EXAMINATION. THE TEXT OFFERS A HISTORY OF FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY IN THE UNITED STATES, PLUS DISCUSSIONS OF THE ROLE OF THE EXPERT WITNESS, THE HANDLING OF SKELETAL REMAINS, DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN HUMAN AND ANIMAL REMAINS, EXAMINATION OF BURNED BONES, AND DETERMINATION OF TIME AND CAUSE OF DEATH. SUBSEQUENT CHAPTERS DESCRIBE IN DETAIL PROCEDURES THAT PROVIDE FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS WITH TWO TYPES OF IDENTIFYING INFORMATION: GENERAL SKELETAL TRAITS, WHICH PLACE THE INDIVIDUAL INTO A LARGE CLASS; AND SPECIFIC TRAITS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN EXACT IDENTIFICATION. INCLUDED ARE PROCEDURES FOR ATTRIBUTING SEX, RACE, AND HANDEDNESS; ESTIMATING AGE, STATURE, AND BODY WEIGHT; RECONSTRUCTING FACIAL LIKENESSES FROM SKULLS; AND MATCHING SKULLS AND PORTRAITS. PHOTOGRAPHS AND REFERENCE TABLES ACCOMPANY THE TEXT. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SUBJECT AND AUTHOR INDEXES ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)