Forensic Anthropology Lecture Notes

Overview of Human Skeleton

• The adult human skeleton consists of 206 bones.
• Bone size varies from microscopic ossicles to long femora (over 450 mm).
• Identification of bones is generally straightforward, but hands, feet, rib cage, and vertebral column require more scrutiny.
• Infant and juvenile bones are more difficult due to incomplete epiphyseal union.

Key Texts and References

• Human Osteology: Several excellent texts available.
• Anatomy Reference Books: "Gray's Anatomy" and Wheeler's dental anatomy.
• Archaeological and Anthropological Texts: Brothwell's "Digging up Bones."
• Anthropological Orientation: Shipman et al. (1985) and White (1991).
• Evolutionary Perspective: Aiello and Deans (1990).
• Australian Mammals Identification: Guide by Merrilees and Porter (1979).

Major Bones and Their Characteristics

The Cranium

• Protects the brain, supports muscles and sensory systems.
• Composed of 27 bones; some are paired, others are single.
• Growth continues until 15 years for neurocranium, 25 years for facial skeleton.

The Mandible

• Largest and strongest bone of the facial skeleton.
• Useful in studies of sexual dimorphism, geographic variation, and evolutionary change.

The Scapula

• Large, flattened, triangular bone in the thorax.
• Rarely studied due to poor preservation in collections.

The Clavicle

• Runs horizontally from neck base to shoulder.
• Supports shoulder mobility.

The Humerus

• Longest and most robust bone of the arm.
• Important for sex determination and stature estimation.

Radius and Ulna

• Bones of the forearm, articulate with humerus and wrist bones.
• Sex determination formulae developed but not majorly studied.

The Hand

• Complex structure of 26 bones including phalanges, metacarpals, and carpals.
• Used for stature estimation and sex identification.

The Spinal Column

• Contains 24 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar.
• Minor role in forensic research, mainly studied for age-related changes.

The Sacrum

• Triangular bone formed by the fusion of 5 vertebrae.
• Important for sex determination and age estimation.

The Innominate

• Irregularly shaped bone forming a significant part of the pelvis.
• Attention in literature for sex determination.

The Femur

• Longest and strongest bone; provides data for stature estimation and sex determination.

Tibia and Fibula

• Tibia is stronger; fibula slender, occupies lateral position.
• Stature estimation and geographic origin data from tibia dimensions.

The Foot

• Made of 27 bones; few studies from a forensic perspective.

The Sternum and Ribs

• Sternum is fragile, often poorly preserved.
• Ribs are elastic arches with rapid decay.

Anatomical Terminology

• Descriptive terms for navigating around the body include proximal, distal, anterior, posterior, etc.

Table of Bone Plurals

• Provides names and plurals for individual bones.

Figures and Diagrams

• Detailed illustrations of bones and their features are provided, including cranium, scapula, clavicle, humerus, forearm, vertebrae, innominate, femur, tibia, foot bones, sternum, and ribs.