Forensic Anthropology

Geography, Genetics and Generalizations: the Abandonment of Race in the Anthropological Study of Human Biological Variation

by Michael Billinger

Introduction to Part VI: Forensic taphonomy

by Nicholas Passalacqua

In: Dirkmaat DC (editor). Developments in Forensic Anthropology. Blackwell Publishing:473-476.

Developments in forensic anthropology: Blunt Force Trauma

by Nicholas Passalacqua

In: Dirkmaat DC (editor). Developments in Forensic Anthropology. Blackwell Publishing:400-412.

Developments in forensic anthropology: Age-at-death estimation

by Nicholas Passalacqua

In: Dirkmaat DC (editor). Developments in Forensic Anthropology. Blackwell Publishing:202-223.

Spazi cimiteriali, pratiche funerarie e identità nella città di Classe

by Debora Ferreri

A new method to estimate adult age-at-death using the acetabulum

by Stephanie Calce

In the Eye of the Beholder: Sex and Race Estimation using the Human Orbital Aperture

by David Samson

Published in JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
Co-authored with Polly Husmann

From the works of Broca and Krogman to modern-day Jantz and Buikstra, the orbit has been used for both quantitative... more From the works of Broca and Krogman to modern-day Jantz and Buikstra, the orbit has been used for both quantitative and qualitative sex and race estimation. This study evaluates the practical value of these estimations. Orbital height and breadth were measured to determine the orbital index and assess differences between men and women or black people and white people in the Hamann-Todd Collection. Replicability of these measures was also examined. Finally, a geometric morphometric study was performed to assess shape differences using the entire margin. Significant differences were found in both the index and the geomorphometric study; however, further investigation revealed that the differences were of little practical use. The measurement differences were found to be smaller than intra-observer error, while the geometric morphometric analysis demonstrated that minimal percentage of variation in shape was attributable to group differences. Thus, these techniques should not be used to estimate sex or race.

Application of Tooth Coronal Index for Age Estimation Among Adult Egyptians

by Tamer Mahmoued

Co-authored with Nancy A.F. Khattab , Hazem M. Marzouk

The correlation between the reduction of the coronal pulp cavity and the chronological age was examined in a sample of... more The correlation between the reduction of the coronal pulp cavity and the chronological age was examined in a sample of 532 intact mandibular second premolar from 266 Individuals of known age and sex. A panoramic radiographic examination was conducted on the selected individuals. Panoramic radiography was used to measure the length (mm) of the tooth crown (CL=coronal length) and the length (mm) of the coronal pulp cavity (CPCL=coronal pulp cavity length). The tooth-coronal index (TCI) after Ikeda et al. (1985) was calibrated with the computer software for accuracy and precision for each tooth. The values obtained were then subjected to regression analysis to derive equations for age estimation. The results were calculated and correlated with the chronologic age for evaluation. The correlation coefficients between chronological age and tooth coronal index ranged from -0.963 to -0.925. Regression equations derived for age estimation utilizing TCI for Egyptian population showed coefficient of determination (r2) ranging from 0.843 to 0.862 .This study shows the potential value of tooth coronal index aging method, which can be easily used to estimate age.

Proyecto Qubbet el-Hawa: Las tumbas nº 33, 34 y 34h. Tercera campaña (2010)

by Alejandro Jiménez-Serrano

Preliminary results of the multidisciplinary works carried out in the necropolis of QUbbet el-Hawa (Aswan) during... more Preliminary results of the multidisciplinary works carried out in the necropolis of QUbbet el-Hawa (Aswan) during 20120 season are detailed in the presernt paper. A brief account of major archaeological results from works carried out in tombs nº 33 and 34 (both dated to the 12th Dynasty) are detaile together with specific studies derived from them. First results of conservation measures in tomb 34h (Khunes) are described.

Morphoscopic Traits and the Assessment of Ancestry

by Joseph Hefner

co-authored with Stephen D. Ousley and Dennis C. Dirkmaat

Assessing ancestry from discrete traits is not an easy undertaking. These assessments are not easy because traditional... more Assessing ancestry from discrete traits is not an easy undertaking. These assessments are not easy because traditional approaches to ancestry assessment rely more on observer experience than on any understanding of the distribution of traits among modern humans. This traditional approach, used in most forensic anthropology laboratories around the USA, however, is unscientific. The approach is also rooted in typology and outdated race studies, and needs to be abandoned. This chapter presents a brief history of the study of ancestry assessment, addresses the difficulties of the analysis of categorical data, and suggests a more scientific approach based on an understanding of the variation, distribution, and frequencies of common cranial traits.

Chapter 5 Ancestry Estimation

by Joseph Hefner

Elizabeth DiGangi and Joseph T. Hefner

Research Methods in Human Skeletal Biology serves as the one location readers can go to not only learn how to conduct... more Research Methods in Human Skeletal Biology serves as the one location readers can go to not only learn how to conduct research in general, but how research is specifically conducted within human skeletal biology. It outlines the current types of research being conducted within each sub-specialty of skeletal biology, and gives the reader the tools  to set up a research project in skeletal biology. It also suggests several ideas for potential projects. Each chapter has an inclusive bibliography, which can serve as a good jumpstart for project references.

Cranial Morphoscopic Traits and the Assessment of American Black, American White, and Hispanic Ancestry

by Joseph Hefner

In, Biological Affinity in Forensic Identification of Human Skeletal Remains: Beyond Black and White. Editors: G.E. Berg & S.C. Ta’ala

The microscopic (optical and SEM) examination of putrefaction fluid deposits (PFD). Potential interest in forensic anthropology

by Patrice Georges

Co-authored with "P. Charlier, F. Bouchet, I. Huynh-Charlier, R. Carlier, V. Mazel, P. Richardin, L. Brun, J. Blondiaux, G. Lorin de la Grandmaison", published in "Virchows Arch", 453, 2008.

DOI 10.1007/s00428-008-0670-1

This article describes the potential interest in physical and forensic anthropology of the microscopic analysis of... more This article describes the potential interest in physical and forensic anthropology of the microscopic analysis of residues of putrefaction fluid, a calcified deposit frequently found associated with bone rests. Its sampling and analysis seem straightforward and relatively reproducible. Samples came from archeological material (Monterenzio Vecchia, an Etruscan necropolis from the north of Italy dated between the fifth and third century B.C.; body rests of Agnès Sorel, royal mistress died in 1450 A.D.; skull and grave of French King Louis the XI and Charlotte of Savoy dated from 1483 A.D.). All samples were studied by direct optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy. Many cytological, histological, and elemental analysis were possible, producing precious data for the identification of these remains and, in some cases, the cause of death.

Bilateral fractures of the coronoid processes: differential diagnosis of intra-oral gunshot trauma and scavenging using a sheep crania model

by Cathy Puskas

Subadult Age‐at‐Death Estimation From the Human Calcaneus

by Nicholas Passalacqua

Differentiation of serrated and non-serrated blades from stab marks in bone.

by Tim Thompson

International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2009, 123, 129-135.

Covariation in limb-limb and limb-trunk proportions in Whites and Blacks and Males in Females using the Hamann-Todd Collection, Cleveland Museum of Natural History

by Amanda G. Kittoe

Published in 'Discussions,' Case Western Reserve University, 2009

This study assesses the reliability of regression formulae used to estimate human stature. Positive correlations exist... more This study assesses the reliability of regression formulae used to estimate human stature. Positive correlations exist between the length of each long bone and a person’s height. In the 1950’s, Trotter and Gleser formulated regression equations between each long bone and the known heights of individuals in a sample from the Terry Collection and the Korean War Dead. The authors found that different ancestral populations require different formulae. This study uses a sample of 126 individuals from the Hamman-Todd Collection, a contemporary sample to the Terry Collection. The current study expects to yield the same results. Lengths of each long bone (femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, ulna and radius) and maximum anterior vertebral heights (thoracic and lumbar) were measured to represent limb and torso lengths, respectively. The t-test was used to compare the limb-stature and torso-stature proportions between males and females and whites and blacks. The t-test was also used to compare Trotter and Gleser’s estimated statures to known stature. Men have significantly longer arms relative to stature than females, in both the arm and forearm. Whites have significantly longer torsos relative to stature than blacks, whereas blacks have significantly longer forearms (ulna) and lower limbs (femur and fibula) relative to stature than whites. Significant differences between estimated and known statures were only found among blacks, especially black females. These results highlight Allen’s rule and are consistent with previous studies which find that blacks and whites have different limb-stature proportions, and thus result in different regression equations for stature estimation.

Sex estimation using the mastoid process: Variation in sexual dimorphism between populations

by Amanda G. Kittoe

This study assesses sexual dimorphism of the mastoid process in samples of African-Americans (AA) and... more This study assesses sexual dimorphism of the mastoid process in samples of African-Americans (AA) and European-Americans (EA). The mastoid process is a classically used indicator of sexual dimorphism in the area of bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. Variation in size and shape of cranial elements, including the mastoid process, has been found to differ significantly between populations. This study uses a sample of 55 AA females, 50 AA males, 49 EA females, and 49 EA males from the Hamann-Todd Collection at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the WM Bass Donated Collection at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Three measurements were taken on the mastoid process: height, width, and thickness. Results show that both AA and EA display sexual dimorphism in mastoid height and width, with males being larger. AA males have significantly thicker mastoids than AA females, but EA males and females do not differ significantly. In both groups, mastoid width is the most dimorphic trait among the three measures. AA males are not significantly different than EA males in any of the three traits, but EA females have significantly thicker mastoids than AA females, whereas AA females have significantly wider mastoids than EA females. However, these two groups do not differ in the other two traits. These findings highlight the importance of considering population based differences when assessing for sex.

Sex estimation using the mastoid process: Variation in sexual dimorphism between populations

by Amanda G. Kittoe

This study assesses sexual dimorphism of the mastoid process in samples of African-Americans (AA) and... more This study assesses sexual dimorphism of the mastoid process in samples of African-Americans (AA) and European-Americans (EA). The mastoid process is a classically used indicator of sexual dimorphism in the area of bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. Variation in size and shape of cranial elements, including the mastoid process, has been found to differ significantly between populations. This study uses a sample of 55 AA females, 50 AA males, 49 EA females, and 49 EA males from the Hamann-Todd Collection at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the WM Bass Donated Collection at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Three measurements were taken on the mastoid process: height, width, and thickness. Results show that both AA and EA display sexual dimorphism in mastoid height and width, with males being larger. AA males have significantly thicker mastoids than AA females, but EA males and females do not differ significantly. In both groups, mastoid width is the most dimorphic trait among the three measures. AA males are not significantly different than EA males in any of the three traits, but EA females have significantly thicker mastoids than AA females, whereas AA females have significantly wider mastoids than EA females. However, these two groups do not differ in the other two traits. These findings highlight the importance of considering population based differences when assessing for sex.

Covariation in limb-limb and limb-trunk proportions in Whites and Blacks and Males in Females using the Hamann-Todd Collection, Cleveland Museum of Natural History

by Amanda G. Kittoe

Published in 'Discussions,' Case Western Reserve University, 2009

This study assesses the reliability of regression formulae used to estimate human stature. Positive correlations exist... more This study assesses the reliability of regression formulae used to estimate human stature. Positive correlations exist between the length of each long bone and a person’s height. In the 1950’s, Trotter and Gleser formulated regression equations between each long bone and the known heights of individuals in a sample from the Terry Collection and the Korean War Dead. The authors found that different ancestral populations require different formulae. This study uses a sample of 126 individuals from the Hamman-Todd Collection, a contemporary sample to the Terry Collection. The current study expects to yield the same results. Lengths of each long bone (femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, ulna and radius) and maximum anterior vertebral heights (thoracic and lumbar) were measured to represent limb and torso lengths, respectively. The t-test was used to compare the limb-stature and torso-stature proportions between males and females and whites and blacks. The t-test was also used to compare Trotter and Gleser’s estimated statures to known stature. Men have significantly longer arms relative to stature than females, in both the arm and forearm. Whites have significantly longer torsos relative to stature than blacks, whereas blacks have significantly longer forearms (ulna) and lower limbs (femur and fibula) relative to stature than whites. Significant differences between estimated and known statures were only found among blacks, especially black females. These results highlight Allen’s rule and are consistent with previous studies which find that blacks and whites have different limb-stature proportions, and thus result in different regression equations for stature estimation.