Forensic Anthropology Report on Specimens

A skull was found by a hiker in a shallow grave in an undisclosed location as well as various skeletal body parts from different individuals in a mass grave. I was called to two different sites. My job as a forensic anthropologist is to examine all skeletal remains to determine identification factors to aid in figuring out what happened. Following is my forensic report on specimens.

Materials and Methods

• Human skull photograph (anterior view)
• The pelvic girdle
• X-ray of right lower extremities
• Internet

Results

Human Skull

Specimen may be a child, possibly between the ages of 6-8 years old due to absence of permanent teeth (Fran Dorey, 2009). Specimen evaluation shows a supraorbital ridge, sharp, more square-like orbital shape, developed glabella, square shaped mandible with a clear right angle of the ramus, indicating the sex as male (Varun, 2008). Trauma appearances are found by an apparent right supraorbital ridge fracture, with possible pyramidal fracture due to the presence of bilateral maxillary fractures accompanied by a nasal fracture across the orbital rim (Rouby, 2017). There appears to be a left zygomatic fracture (WebMD 1994-2018)

Pelvic Girdle

Specimen evaluation appears normal, possible female skeleton due to a wide pubic arch appearing to be >80 degrees, wide ilium shape, circular pelvic inlet shape, short, wide pelvic inlet and short/wide sacrum shape (Golden, 2011) Supportive female structure includes short, wide appearance of sternum (MD, 2010). Specimen is otherwise normal and more pictures of specimen would be needed to determine whether or not there could damages sacral iliac joint.

X-Ray of Right Lower Extremity

Specimen evaluation shows that bone is a femur of an adult victim. The length of the femur indicates the specimen is from a possible male (CDC, 2017). Lateral and Medial condyles are visible with a clear intercondylar fossa. No signs of cartilage visible and epiphyses are fused. Trauma of the specimen shows transverse displaced femoral shaft fracture, of unknown closed or open state (Singh, 2009). Discussion After specimen evaluation was completed, it was determined that the three specimens were indeed from three different victims. There was some difficulty in identifying the age for the skull specimen. The sutures on the skull appeared to be fused well, however there were not very good views over the entire skull. My determination in age of about 6-8 years old was based on the observation that the specimen did not appear to have adult teeth. I am confident in the age determination and pathology findings in specimen

Strong indicators from the pelvic region showed prominent female factors. The third specimen was easily identifiable as a femur due to the bone structure, however the age determination was a difficult given most gender determinations through lower extremity bones include the femur and tibia length. Due to unknown tibia length, the gender determination for the third specimen was referenced towards the average height of male and female U. S. citizens.

Conclusion

Due to the rugged boney features, such as the square shaped mandible and prominent suborbital ridge, and the appearance of a full top and bottom row of teeth, it was concluded to be a skull of a child, gender, male. The pelvic girdle evaluation showed clear evaluation of female characteristics and for the last specimen it is clear the specimen is a femur, with evidence of a femoral shaft fracture.