Anthropology and Forensic Investigation of Human Bones

Crime scene investigators are sometimes called upon to investigate a scene where bones have been uncovered. If there is no way of identifying the remains, an anthropologist may be called in to examine the bones and perform tests on them. In his book, Invisible Evidence, Bill O'Brien discusses some of the information that can be revealed from human bones.

Detecting Illness by Examining Bones

Forensic anthropologists can ascertain if a person suffered illness or a period of malnutrition as a child by examining his bones. During illness and poor nutrition, bone formation slows at the cartilaginous growth plate between either end of the bone and its shaft. Once the person recovers, growth returns to normal and a line called a Harris line is left across the bone shaft. These lines are visible on an x-ray.

Forensic anthropologists have charts of bone growth levels and by measuring the intervals between Harris lines, they can determine at what age the illness occurred.

Determining Injury and Cause of Death by Examining Bones

Homicides and various forms of abuse may warrant investigation by a forensic anthropologist. Fractured bones heal but leave signs of the injury that can be detected by a forensic anthropologist. Bones can also be damaged if a person is attacked or beaten and the followoing results may be evident:

• · Blunt force trauma leaves a radiating pattern centred on the point of impact.
• · Shatter lines from a scooped depression can indicate the direction of a blow.
• · Forensic anthropologists can ascertain whether deliberate force was used to break a bone or if it could possibly have been an accident. This is done by comparing the known strength of a bone with the damage.
• · A skull is made up of two layers of bone separated by a spongy layer of bone. The spongy layer cushions the inner layer from impact and it takes extreme force for all 3 layers to be shattered.
• · Bullet holes in bone can reveal how far the shooter was from the victim.

Forensic Analysis of Human Bones and Race, Age and Occupation

Using known facts and features of human bone, a forensic anthropologist can determine a number of factors about a deceased person:

• · Certain occupations cause wear on bones and this may provide vital clues during an investigation.
• · Bones vary between races and sexes, and leg bones in particular can be used to determine race. Differences include shape, depressions and angles.
• · A person's approximate age at death can be determined by examining his bones. One of the best indicators of age is the pubic symphysis, the joint between the hips in the human pubic area.

A forensic anthropologist can determine many facts about deceased persons by examining their bones. Illness affects growth and injuries leave certain patterns. In some cases it is even possible to work out the age, sex and occupation of the victim. Forensic anthropologists can play a vital role in a criminal investigation.

Reference:

O'Brien, Bill, Invisible Evidence, David Bateman Ltd, 2007