Forensic Anthropology Laboratory Manual (4^th Ed.)

This manual provides students in academic laboratory courses with hands-on experience of the major processes of forensic anthropology. Designed to accompany the textbook Introduction to Forensic Anthropology,the manual introduces core procedures and protocol, with exercise worksheets to reinforce the methodologies of forensic anthropology and enhance student comprehension. For the fourth edition, the manual has been updated in line with the textbook, incorporating new methods, figures, and worksheets. Each chapter contains explanations of the terminology, osteological features, and measurements needed to understand each of the topics. Chapters may be covered in one session or multiple sessions and include lists of both basic and optional lab materials, enabling instructors to tailor each lab to the resources they have available.

Preface

Note to Instructors

Note to Students

1 Introduction

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 1.1: Basic Instruments and Their Use

Exercise 1.2: Metric System and U.S. Measure

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

2 Basics of Human Osteology and Odontology

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Basic Terms

Exercise 2.1: Cranial Skeleton

Exercise 2.2: Axial Skeleton

Exercise 2.3: Appendicular Skeleton: Upper Limbs

Exercise 2.4: Appendicular Skeleton: Lower Limbs

Exercise 2.5: Human Odontology

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

3 Establishing Medicolegal Significance

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Bone and Teeth Versus Other Material Exercise

Minimum Materials

HUMAN VERSUS NONHUMAN EXERCISE

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

CONTEMPORARY VERSUS NONCONTEMPORARY EXERCISE

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 3.1: Distinguishing Bone and Teeth From Other Material

Exercise 3.2: Distinguishing Human from Nonhuman Remains

Exercise 3.3: Distinguishing Contemporary from Noncontemporary Remains

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

4 Recovery Scene Methods

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 4.1: Surface-Deposited Body (Outdoor or Indoor)

Exercise 4.2: Interred Body (Outdoor)

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

5 Estimating Postmortem Interval

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 5.1: Estimating PMI Using General Decomposition

Exercise 5.2: Estimating PMI Using TADS and ADD

Exercise 5.3: Estimating PMI Using Animal Scavenging

Exercise 5.4: Estimating PMI Using Deterioration

of Clothing and Other Materials

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

6 Initial Treatment and Examination

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 6.1: Reconstruction

Exercise 6.2: Sorting

Exercise 6.3: Reassembly

Exercise 6.4: Inventorying Remains

Exercise 6.5: Highly Fragmented Remains

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

7 Attribution of Ancestry

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 7.1: Attributing Ancestry Using Cranial Anthroposcopy

Exercise 7.2: Attributing Ancestry Using Frequencies of Cranial Anthroposcopic Traits

Exercise 7.3: Attributing Ancestry Using Cranial Metrics:
Interorbital Indexes

Exercise 7.4: Attributing Ancestry Using Cranial Metrics:
Discriminant Functions

Exercise 7.5: Attributing Ancestry Using Postcranial Anthroposcopy
and Osteometry

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

8 Attribution of Sex

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 8.1: Attributing Sex Using Pelvic Anthroposcopy

Exercise 8.2: Attributing Sex Using Pelvic Metrics:
Ischium–Pubic Index

Exercise 8.3: Attributing Sex Using Cranial Anthroposcopy

Exercise 8.4: Attributing Sex Using Cranial Metrics:
Discriminant Functions

Exercise 8.5: Attributing Sex Using Postcranial Metrics

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

9 Estimation of Age at Death

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

SUBADULTS

Exercise 9.1: Estimating Age at Death (Subadults)

Using Long Limb Bone Measurements

Exercise 9.2: Estimating Age at Death (Subadults)

Using Union of Primary Ossification Centers

Exercise 9.3: Estimating Age at Death (Subadults)

Using Tooth Formation and Eruption

Exercise 9.4: Estimating Age at Death (Subadults)

Using Epiphyseal Union

ADULTS

Exercise 9.5: Estimating Age at Death (Adults)

Using Symphyseal Surface

Exercise 9.6: Estimating Age at Death (Adults)

Using Auricular Surface of the Os Coxae

Exercise 9.7: Estimating Age at Death (Adults)

Using Sternal Rib Ends

Exercise 9.8: Estimating Age at Death (Adults)

Using Cranial Suture Closure

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

10 Calculation of Stature

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 10.1: Calculating Stature Using Long Limb Bones

Exercise 10.2: Calculating Stature Using the Fully Method

Exercise 10.3: Calculating Stature from Fleshed Body Segments

Exercise 10.4: Calculating Stature Using Partial Long Limb Bones

Exercise 10.5: Adjustments to Stature Calculations

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

11 Death, Trauma, and the Skeleton

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 11.1: Basics of Bone Trauma

Exercise 11.2: Forces Causing Trauma

Exercise 11.3: Types of Trauma

Exercise 11.4: Timing of Bone Injury

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

12 Projectile Trauma

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 12.1: Analysis of Projectile Wounds

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

13 Blunt Trauma

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 13.1: Analyzing Blunt Trauma to the Skull

Exercises 13.2A and 13.2B: Analyzing Blunt Trauma to the

Postcranial Bones

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

14 Sharp and Miscellaneous Trauma

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 14.1: Analyzing Sharp Trauma

Exercise 14.2: Analyzing Strangulation

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

15 Antemortem Skeletal Conditions

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 15.1: Analyzing Pathological Conditions

Exercise 15.2: Analyzing Skeletal Anomalies

Exercise 15.3: Analyzing Occupational Stress Markers

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

16 Postmortem Changes to Bone

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 16.1: Analyzing Saw Marks

Exercise 16.2: Analyzing Other Postmortem Damage

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

17 Additional Aspects of Individualization

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 17.1: Facial Approximation

Exercise 17.2: Estimating Body Weight

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

18 Obtaining an Identification

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 18.1: Identification from Radiographs

Exercise 18.2: Identification From Photographic Superimposition

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

19 Conclusion

Learning Objectives

Expected Outcomes

Minimum Materials

Optional Materials

Exercise 19.1: Forensic Anthropology Report

Exercise 19.2: Expert Witness Testimony Evaluation

Note to Instructors

Exercise Worksheets

References

Steven N. Byers has a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico (UNM), USA. Now retired, he worked for a number of years on various campuses of UNM, teaching courses in Forensic Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, and Archaeology. He is currently serving on the Anthropology Consensus Body of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board, in addition to focusing on Southeastern United States bioarchaeology. Byers’ publications with Routledge include this title's sister volume Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (in its 5th edition).