The Use of Forensic Anthropology

228 Pages·2009·7.03 MB·English

by  Robert B. Pickering

THE USE OF
FORENSIC
ANTHROPOLOGY
SECOND EDITION

THE USE OF
FORENSIC
ANTHROPOLOGY
SECOND EDITION
ROBERT PICKERING
DAVID BACHMAN
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Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data
Pickering, Robert B.
The use of forensic anthropology / Robert B. Pickering and David Bachman.
‑‑ 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978‑1‑4200‑6877‑1
1. Forensic anthropology. I. Bachman, David C. (David Charles) II. Title.
GN69.8.P53 2009
614’.17‑‑dc22 2008033792
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
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ἀ is book is dedicated to Triena Harper
with whom both authors worked for many years—
her service in the Jefferson County (Colorado)
Coroner’s Office exemplifies the dedication,
compassion, and professionalism that inspire us all.

Table of Contents
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
The Authors xvii
Contributors xix
1 Introduction 1
2 “Some Bones Have Been Found” 7
Setting the Scene 8
Scenario One 8
Scenario Two 10
Nine Key Points to Remember When Skeletal Remains Are
Discovered 1 3
3 What the Forensic Anthropologist Can and
Cannot Do 1 5
Finding a Forensic Anthropologist 1 5
What the Forensic Anthropologist Can Do 1 7
How to Find a Forensic Anthropologist 2 6
Establishing the Ground Rules 2 9
Letters of Agreement 3 2
The Case Report 3 5
Case Report Samples 3 6
4 Techniques for Recovering Skeletonized
Human Remains 4 5
Equipment Requirements 4 5
“I Think There’s a Skeleton Buried in This Field” 4 7
“Here’s a Bone, We Have a Problem” 5 0
“Hey Doc, What’s in the Box?” 54
The Forensic Anthropologist and Recovery of Remains 5 7
Field Recovery 6 7
vii
viii Table of Contents
The Final Report 6 7
Things You Can Do to Make Recovery Easier 6 8
5 Ten Key Questions 7 1
Question 1: Is It Bone? 71
Question 2: Is It Human? 7 4
Question 3: Is It Modern? 7 5
Question 4: What Bones Are Present? 8 1
Question 5: Is There More Than One Person Present? 8 1
Question 6: What Is the Race, Ethnicity, or Cultural Affiliation? 8 2
Question 7: What Is the Sex? 8 4
Question 8: What Is the Age? 90
Question 9: What Is the Stature? 9 7
Question 10: What Are the Individual Characteristics of the
Remains? 9 9
Summary 101
6 Assessing Ancestry (Race) from the Skeleton 103
George W. Gill
What Is Race, Ethnicity, or Cultural Affiliation? 104
What Methods Are Used to Establish Ancestry/Race from
Bones? 107
How Accurate Are Assessments of Ancestry/Race from Bones? 109
Conclusions 110
7 Determination of Time since Death 113
The Body 115
The Microenvironment 116
Eight Essential Environmental Categories of Information 118
8 Special Techniques: Their Value and Limitations 121
Facial Reconstruction 121
Direct Facial Reconstruction 122
Craniofacial Superimposition 128
Video Superimposition 129
Footprint Impression Analysis 129
Osteon Counting 130
Bitemark Analysis 131
ABO Blood Typing 132
Forensic Toxicology 133
Table of Contents ix
14C Dating 134
DNA Testing 134
9 An Introduction to Forensic Science and DNA 137
Heather Miller Coyle
Forensics Defined 137
What Is DNA? 138
Benefits and Limitations of DNA 141
DNA Databases 141
The Future of Forensic DNA 142
References 143
10 Skeletal Trauma and Identifying Skeletal
Pathology 145
Antemortem Trauma 145
Perimortem Trauma 149
Postmortem Trauma 151
Pseudotrauma 155
Pathologic Changes in Bone 159
Follow-Up Steps for Skeletal Abnormalities 167
11 Putting Your Case Together 169
Closing the Case, Closing the Book 171
Appendix: Report Forms 177
Human Remains Investigation:
General Information 181
Contextual Description 182
Recovery Area 183
General Description of Remains 184
Inventory 186
Photo and Video Inventory 187
Glossary 189
Bibliography 193
Index 195