clandestine graves Flashcards
(18 cards)
First step in examination of human remains is to perform
a taphonomic assessment
what does a tapahomic assessment include?
Full inventory of area
Evaluation of the condition of remains
Estimation of time since death
what does the inventory include?
identification of and completeness of all skeletal elements found
whether skeletal remains are adult or immature
in the event of flesh remaining, x-rays and photography of element should be
conditions of remains focuses on primary
postmortem processes
what are the postmortem processes?
decomposition stage
evidence of scavenger modification
insect life cycle
weathering
modification by water, sand or geology
after tapohonomic documentation is complete
soft tissue examination may be done
what types of soft tissue examinations are done?
fingerprints examined for viability
internal tissues and organs
bone formation centers in child victims
screening for small bones or artifacts
x-ray materials
anthropologists play a key role in developing the profile including
assessing skeleton for shape and sex, which allow estimate of age, sex and ancestry
stature of victim
unique healed bone figures or distortions, and dental configurations assist in constructing profile
issues in developing a biological profile
assists law enforcement in narrowing range of possibility of victim
prior statistical studies of segments of various populations are used to assist in identification
mixed or unusual ancestry of the victim complicate this problem
issues in identification
circumstantial evidence
most coroners or medical examiners require positive identification
identification requires match of DNA, fingerprint, dental records, x-rays, or unique apparatus, such as an artificial joint
what is circumstantial evidence?
evidence that requires investigator to infer certain facts
what is based on certain characteristics or occupations all may assist in identification process?
congenital defects, evidence of surgical procedure, or bony changes
drawbacks to identification methods:
many facial features are cartilage instead of bone
presence of features of a specific ancestry may not be present
average tissue thickness for will be underestimated for people with significant fat
key descriptive elements
hair length, facial hair, or glasses must be guessed
All known or suspected human bones are protected by law, whether they are
prehistoric or recent
Disturbing these bones, or depositing them in a fashion not allowed by law, can be punishable as a
crime
Most bones and graves are discovered by people
doing ordinary and otherwise legal activities (clearing land, road construction, etc.)
