Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

1. Introduction.

Historical Background.
Forensic Anthropologists and the Medicolegal Community.
The Forensic Anthropology Protocol and
Methods in Forensic Anthropology.

2. Basics of Human Osteology and Odontology.

Overview of the Human Skeleton.
Basic Topics in Osteology.
Overview of the Human Dentition.

3. Establishing the Forensic Context.

Bone versus Non-Bone.
Human versus Non-Human.
Contemporary versus Non-Contemporary.

4. Recovery Scene Methods.

Preliminary Issues.
Locating Remains.
Mapping Remains.
Grave Excavation.
Collecting Remains.
Mass Disasters.
DMORT.

5. Estimating Time Since Death.

Overview of Decomposition.
Decomposition and Skeletonization.
Animal Scavenging.
Other Methods.

6. Initial Treatment and Examination.

Forensic Anthropology Laboratory.
Preparation of Remains.
Reconstruction, Sorting, and Re-Assembly.
Inventorying Remains.

7. Attribution of Ancestry.

Anthroposcopic Traits.
Metrical Methods.
Miscellaneous Ancestral Characteristics.

8. Attribution of Sex.

Sexing the Pelvis.
Sexing the Skull.
Miscellaneous Methods.
Sexing Subadults.

9. Estimation of Age at Death.

Subadults.
Adults.

10. Calculation of Stature.

Basics of Stature Reconstruction.
Full Skeleton Methods.
Long Limb Bones.
Other Skeletal Elements.
Partial Long Limb Bones.
Adjustments to Stature.

11. Death, Trauma, and the Skeleton.

Cause and Manner of Death.
Basics of Bone Trauma.
Characteristics of Forces Causing Trauma.
Types of Trauma.
Timing of Bone Injury.

12. Projectile Trauma.

Basics of Ammunition and Firearms.
Effects of Bullets on Bone.
Bullet Wound Analysis.
Pellet Wound Analysis.
Miscellaneous Projectiles.
Cause and Manner of Death.

13. Blunt Trauma.

Characteristics of Instruments.
Types of Fractures.
Effects of Blunt Instruments.
Wound Analysis.
Cause and Manner of Death.

14. Sharp and Miscellaneous Trauma.

Sharp Trauma.
Strangulation.
Chemical Trauma.
Cause and Manner of Death.

15. Antemortem Skeletal Conditions.

Pathological Conditions.
Skeletal Anomalies.
Occupational Stress Markers.

16. Postmortem Changes to Bone.

Dismemberments.
Animal Scavenging.
Fire Damage.
Weathering.
Burial Damage.
Water Transport Damage.
Miscellaneous.

17. Additional Aspects of Individualization.

Facial Reproduction.
Assessing Handedness.
Estimating Body Weight.

18. Identification Using Antemortem Records.

Radiography.
Photographic Superimposition.
Forensic Odontology.
Miscellaneous.

19. Conclusion.

Ethical Responsibilities.
The Final Report.
Courtroom Testimony.
Future of Forensic Anthropology.