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Anthropology > Spark 3rd Exam > Flashcards

Spark 3rd Exam Flashcards

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1
Q

Why should more caution be taken when using the skull to provide sex determination rather than the pelvis?

A

The skull has a 96% with pelvis while you get a 92% with skull accuracy

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2
Q

Differentiate between the male and female adult human skull using the cranial morphology scoring technique described in Buikstra and Ubelaker’s Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains (1994).

A
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3
Q

Differentiate between male and female adult humans using metric methods, as described in lectures.

A

This is used to measure the, Humeral head maximum diameter, Femoral head maximum diameter, Humeral epicondylar width:
< 41.5 mm = female
41.5 - 43.5 mm = ?female
43.5 - 44.5 mm = unknown
44.5 - 45.5 mm = ?male
> 45.5 mm = male

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4
Q

Why is it generally ill-advised to attempt to estimate biological sex in subadult skeletal remains?

A

Prepubertal bodies exhibit little sexual dimorphism

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5
Q

Despite reservation, describe one way to differentiate between male and female subadult humans using the greater sciatic notch, as described in lectures.

A

Greater sciatic notch angle is greater than 90 degrees in female juveniles
Broader greater sciatic notch in females

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6
Q

Why are DNA analyses not the most common way to determine the biological sex of human skeletal remains?

A

It is difficult and expensive.

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7
Q

List and describe the two broad age categories in humans.

A

Adults and subadults

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8
Q

What difficulties complicate age at death determinations?

A

Biological age (physiological age) and chronological age (time since birth) are inter-related, but biological age is affected by activity, diet, disease so , age estimation in subadults more precise than adults

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9
Q

List and describe the age classes as proposed by Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994)

A

Fetus (before birth)
Infant (0–3 years)
Child (3–12 y)
Adolescent (12–20 y)
Young adult (20–35 y)
Middle adult (35–50 y)
Mature adult (50+ y)

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10
Q

How are age-at-death determinations typically assessed in fetal remains?

A

Reference tables, regression equations are used to determine age of death

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11
Q

Describe the age determination method described by Adalian et al. (2002)

A

Adalian used the equation 0.434 × femoral length (in mm) + 6.93 which gives us the death in weeks

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12
Q

Describe typical age-at-death determination methods in subadult remains using dental developmental indicators.

A

compare developmental stage of teeth with reference charts
Formation occurs from crown to root
Tooth eruption rates are more useful than tooth formation stages
If no Stage H development for third molar, then under 18 years old

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13
Q

List common human fontanelles

A

Anterior, Posterior, Sagittal, Mastoid, Sphenoid

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14
Q

When does sagittal fontanelle obliteration occur?

A

When birth

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15
Q

By what age are 38% of fontanelles closed?

A

By 12 months

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16
Q

By what age are 96% of fontanelles closed?

A

By 24 months

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17
Q

Describe typical age-at-death determination methods in subadult remains using endochondral ossification and epiphyseal fusion.

A

For endochondral ossification we can tell a subadults age by how much the cartilage as ossified (closed). As for epiphyseal fusion anthropologist can see how old a child is by how much the epiphysis has fused with the diaphysis.

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18
Q

Define epiphyseal fusion

A

union of primary and secondary ossification centers at a growth plate

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19
Q

Summarize milestones occurring during various subadult age classes

A

Infancy:
* Birth: primary ossification centers
0-2 years:
* Deciduous dental formation and eruption
1-2 years:
* Fontanelles close
4-6 years:
* Formation of permanent teeth
7-12 years:
* Eruption of permanent teeth
* Secondary ossification centers
* Adolescence
* Eruption of teeth and epiphyseal
fusion

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20
Q

List typical age-at-death determination methods in adult remains

A
  1. Cranial suture closure
  2. Sternal rib-end morphology
  3. Auricular surface morphology
  4. Pubic symphysis morphology
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21
Q

Describe the Suchey-Brooks system of age determination, including advantages and limitations of the method

A

Observable pubic symphysis changes classified into six phases for each sex
Young: billowing
Middle: distinct rim
Mature: degeneration
Advantages:
Casts available for visualization
Multiple confidence intervals
Limitations:
Overlapping stages
Less accurate for +40 yrs

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22
Q

Describe the Lovejoy auricular surface morphology method of age determination, including advantages and limitations of the method

A

Observable auricular surface
changes classified into eight phases
Young: fine grained surface; billowing
Middle: coarse surface; microporosity
Mature: dense, disorganized surface;
macroporosity
Advantage: auricular surface is
more likely to be preserved than
pubic symphysis
Limitation: more difficult

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23
Q

Describe the sternal rib ends method of age determination

A

Age-related changes at the sternal end of the right fourth rib

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24
Q

Describe the cranial suture closure method of age determination

A

Assess degree of fusion for vault and lateral-anterior cranial suture segments
As the skull gets older the more the line disappears

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25
List the three stages of forensic case analysis
What is it? How old is it? What is the taphonomic context?
26
What are taphonomic research facilities?
Outdoor labs using donated human cadavers to study decomposition in a variety of conditions
27
What benefits do taphonomic research facilities provide?
* Interdisciplinary, research-driven, longitudinal studies across different geographic areas * University-level research which expands disciplinary knowledge * Training opportunities for anthropologists, law enforcement, death investigators
28
Describe the components of the Forensic Anthropology Center at the University of Tennessee
* Anthropology Research Facility (ARF) Dr. William Bass established the world’s first “Body Farm” in 1980 * Bass Donated Skeletal Collection (DSC) Largest collection of contemporary Americans Body donation → Intake → ARF → DSC * Forensic Anthropology Data Bank (FDB) Contains demographic information, metric data, pathological conditions Database is used by the FORDISC ancestry estimation software program
29
Define the following terms: decomposition, autolysis, putrefaction
Decomposition - body begins to decay Autolysis – postmortem breakdown of cellular material via ‘self-digestion’ by enzymes Putrefaction – anaerobic breakdown of macromolecules by symbiotic bacteria
30
Describe postmortem changes beginning 0-2 hours after death
* Pallor mortis – paleness * Bowel release * Tâche noire de la sclérotique – dark discoloration of the eye
31
Describe postmortem changes beginning 1-4 hours after death
* Hypostasis– gravitational pooling of blood (AKA livor mortis) * Algor mortis – body temperature equilibration * Rigor mortis – muscle stiffness
32
The stages of decomposition are based on which two factors?
based on gross changes and arthropod activity
33
Provide caveats to using a staging system of decomposition
* Multiple stage systems exist, with slight variations * Certain changes could appear earlier, later, or never during decomposition
34
Describe the lifecycle of the typical blow fly
It begins with an egg, then turns into the 1st instar, 2nd instar, and 3rd instar, into pupa and finally into an adult fly
35
List and describe the stages of decomposition, as discussed in lectures
Fresh: Flies attracted to the body Active Decay: Discoloration, Bloat, Odor, Maggots Advanced Decay: Beginning skeletonization, Extensive insect activity Skeletonization: Greater than 50% exposure, Beetles
36
Define the following terms: skin slippage, marbling, bloat, fluid purge, cadaver decomposition island, desiccation
Skin slippage: the outer layers of the skin start to separate or slide off from the underlying tissue Marbling: web-like lines when the body dies Bloat: the body begins to fill up with carbon dioxide and methane Fluid purge: leakage of fluids due to the breakdown of tissues and the buildup of gases Cadaver Decomposition: the area around a decomposing body where changes occur due to the breakdown of the body Desiccation: When a body loses its moisture and dries out
37
Define the following terms: arrested decay, mummification, saponification
Arrested decay: stopping or slowing down decomposition Mummification: aridity (complete loss of moisture) preserves soft tissue Saponification: anaerobic (no oxygen) and alkaline (basic pH) environments convert body fat to adipocere (waxy, soap-like substance)
38
What is a sokushinbutsu?
practice of Buddhist monks deliberately mummifying themselves while still alive
39
Describe the process of becoming a sokushinbutsu
Monks have a diet, only bark, seeds, and nuts. Then they drink tea from the sap of a tree. Then the monk is put into a coffin underground with a bell that they ring to make sure they're still alive. Once the bell stops ringing then other monks check to see if their mummified or it decomposed.
40
Provide historical examples of individuals whose bodies exhibit arrested decay
Chinchorro mummy, Tollund Man, Soap Lady, Otzi, the Iceman
41
What is kusôzu?
They are images of a decaying corpse. It portrays the decomposition of a human body in a series of stages, usually in graphic and detailed ways
42
A forensic anthropologist has been provided of a set of human skeletal remains. What information about the taphonomic history of the remains might be revealed when analyzing the postmortem skeletal modifications?
* Depositional context * Biological taphonomic agents * Transport and dispersal * Cause and manner of death
43
What is subaerial bone weathering?
Decomposition of hard tissues as a response to natural agents in their immediate environment over time
44
List aspects of the depositional environment which impact the degree of weathering bone may exhibit.
* Solar radiation * Wet-dry cycle * Freeze-thaw cycle * Heat-cool cycle * Mineral crystallization * Previous coffin burial
45
List and describe the stages of bone weathering, as discussed in lectures.
Stage 0: Bone shows no sign of cracking Stage 1: Bone starts to crack, parallel to fiber structure Stage 2: More noticeable cracks Stage 3: Large cracks, might appear rough Stage 4: The bone is rough in texture, some bone is falling off and having small openings Stage 5: Bone is falling apart
46
47
Humans may serve as taphonomic agents. What does that sentence mean?
Humans can change how what happens to a body or other organic materials after death
48
List four categories of humans as taphonomic agents
* Criminal activities Dismemberment, thermal alterations, etc. * Funerary practices Embalming, cremation, cemetery burial * Alteration for cultural purposes Anatomical teaching remains Contemporary ritual remains Trophy remains * Damage occurring during field recovery, handling, and laboratory analysis
48
What are trophy remains?
Human remains are preserved, and often displayed or kept as mementos or symbols of victory, conquest, or achievement
48
List taphonomic categories of trophy remains
* Original acquisition (ex: perimortem trauma) * Ornamental alteration (ex: writing) * Curation damage (ex: shelf wear)
49
What is the ancestry conundrum?
Most anthropologists state that “race is a social construct” lacking scientific validity. Yet, forensic anthropologists continue to provide estimations of ancestry (‘race’) based on the analysis of skeletal remains
50
Of the four main parameters of the biological profile, which is the least applied parameter?
Ancestry
51
Provide the anthropological definition of ancestry (biological affinity)
geographic region or ancestral origin of an individual
52
Anthropologists commonly divide ancestry into which three categories?
European, Asian, African
53
List common methods used to assess ancestry
Morphoscopic (shape) Craniometric (size) Other methods Postcrania Dental DNA
54
Define trait list
set of characteristics or features used to categorize, compare, or describe different groups of people
55
Why are trait lists not considered best practice when assessing ancestry?
They are subjective, inaccurate, oversimplified,
56
Are trait lists used commonly by forensic anthropologists to assess ancestry?
Yes
57
What are macromorphoscopic (MMS) trait analyses?
apply cranial MMS traits scores to classification models with statistical frameworks
58
Define the following terms: character, character state, character score
Character - categories of morphological features (traits) Character states - recorded variations of a character Character scoring - assign a number to each character state
59
List seven cranial MMS traits as defined by Hefner (2009, 2014) and described in course lectures
Orbital shape, Anterior nasal spine, Inferior nasal aperture, Nasal bone contour, Interorbital breadth, Nasal aperture width, Nasal overgrowth
60
What is a discriminant function analysis (DFA)?
used to classify data into different groups based on a set of measurable features
61
Are morphoscopic discriminant function analyses used commonly by forensic anthropologists to assess ancestry?
Yes
62
How do DFA models work, using ancestry assessment as an example?
It builds a predictive model for group membership
63
What is machine learning?
An artificial intelligence that teaches computers to learn without explicit programming
64
Which category of machine learning models shows the most promise when assessing ancestry?
Supervised Learning
65
How do machine learning classification models work, using ancestry assessment as an example?
Supervised learning trains a computer model on known input (MMS scores) and known output (ancestry) data to make predictions Classification models classify input data into categories (European, African, Asian)
66
Provide important caveats that must be considered when using analytical tools to classify human skeletal remains into “races”
Genetic ancestry markers, biological ancestry, and “social race” of an individual may not match
67
Describe the process of assessing ancestry using cranial MMS traits and Hefner’s (2014) discriminant function equations
Hefner (2014) provides discriminant function equations using 7, 5, and 3 variables (cranial MMS traits)
68
Describe the process of assessing ancestry using cranial MMS traits and the hefneR app
Same individual, same MMS scores Different analytical tool (Naïve Bayesian analysis), different ancestry categories Using this classification model, the individual has a 48.59% chance of being Asian
69
Describe the process of assessing ancestry using cranial MMS traits and the macromorphoscopic databank (MaMD)
Uses an artificial neural network to classify an unknown cranium into a reference group. The reference data are housed in the Macromorphoscopic Databak
70
List two types of craniometric analysis methods
Indices – generally not advisable Craniometric discriminant function analyses
71
Are craniometric indices used commonly by forensic anthropologists to assess ancestry?
Yes
72
Are craniometric discriminant function analyses used commonly by forensic anthropologists to assess ancestry?
Yes
73
What is FORDISC?
It is software using discriminant functions to assess ancestry
74
How does a forensic anthropologist use FORDISC to assess ancestry of skeletal remains?
FORDISC identifies the most probable ancestry of the unknown individual based on the reference sample
75
Describe the utility of each of the following results pages to interpreting FORDISC results: measurement comparison page, classification table page, case classification page.
Measurement comparison page: helps you understand whether your sample's measurements are typical or atypical Classification table page: helps you understand which groups your sample is closest to in terms of skeletal measurements Case classification page: gives you the final result of the analysis
76
Define posterior probability
likelihood of belonging to the respective group
77
Define typicalities
distances of the case from the respective group mean
78
Is FORDISC used commonly by forensic anthropologists to assess ancestry?
Yes
79
If an individual is typical for a group (≥ 0.05) and has a high posterior probability for it, then can a forensic anthropologist assume that it is likely to belong to that ancestry group?
Yes
80
Identify various methods used to estimate living stature in skeletal remains
Measurement of the skeleton in the grave Anatomical methods Mathematical methods
81
How does a forensic anthropologist obtain the total length of long bones? Be specific when describing how to obtain the total length of the tibia.
They make sure it is on a flat surface, identify the bones ends, and use a measurement device. As for the tibia
82
How does a forensic anthropologist obtain the physiological length (bicondylar length) of the femur?
Identify key landmarks and measure
83
How does a forensic anthropologist obtain the physiological length of the tibia?
Measure before the spines and before the medial malleolus, the weird point at the bottom
84
Describe the process of stature estimation using anatomical methods
To get someone's height, you add up the lengths of all the bones that contribute to height, like the leg bones and spine. Then you add a bit extra for the muscles, skin, and other soft parts.
85
Provide advantages to using anatomical methods. Provide limitations to using anatomical methods
Advantages Not dependent on sex or ancestry More accurate with less bias Limitations Requires excellent skeletal preservation Time consuming
86
Describe the Fully method of stature estimation. Which measurements are taken for this method?
Obtain measurements Cranial height Vertebral heights First sacral segment height Femur bicondylar length Tibia total length Talus and calcaneus, articulated height Sum all measurements Add soft tissue correction
87
How does a forensic anthropologist use mathematical methods to obtain stature? Differentiate between univariate and multivariate regression formulae
Estimate stature from one or more bones using a regression equation Univariate regression formula – measures one bone Multivariate regression formula – measures multiple bones for that formula
88
Under what circumstances does the forensic anthropologist use the total length of the long bone when using mathematical methods of stature estimation? When should the physiological length of the bone be used?
They use it often and the physiological length of the bone is used when measuring the tibia.
89
Describe the process of stature estimation using regression formulae. Provide tips to increase the likelihood of success
used to estimate things like a person's height from the length of their bones Do not average measurements obtained from different formulae Where possible, use a formula with the same sex, ancestry, and temporal cohort as the forensic sample When choosing a bone(s) to measure, use the formula with the smallest standard error
90
What special considerations should be made when attempting to obtain living stature using the following skeletal elements: - fragmentary limb bones - skeletal elements other than limb bones - skeletal elements with pathological conditions - non-skeletal elements - subadult skeletons - mature adult skeletons
Fragmentary Limb Bones - reduced accuracy Skeletal elements other than limb bones - generally not advisable Skeletal elements with pathological conditions - provide caveats or exclude Non-skeletal elements - materials have been used Subadult skeletons - generally not advisable Mature adult skeletons - stature decrease
91
Describe explanations for inconsistencies between stature estimates based on skeletal remains and known stature based on antemortem stature records
Biased self reports Out of date records Misreported
92
Describe explanations for inconsistencies between stature estimates based on skeletal remains and known stature based on measuring antemortem stature
Differing measurement techniques Circadian variation
93
Describe explanations for inconsistencies between stature estimates based on skeletal remains and known stature based on measuring cadaveric stature
Missing Soft Tissue Post-Mortem Changes Biological Variability
94
At which three locations did forensic anthropologists work to identify human remains following the 9/11 attacks?
Temporary body collection point near Ground Zero Fresh Kills landfill site on Staten Island Temporary mortuary at the NYC OCME
95
What was one of the forensic anthropologists’ primary responsibilities as part of the multidisciplinary identification efforts?
help identify human remains
96
What activities were performed at the Fresh Kills forensic site?
process debris and search for human remains
97
What was the primary role of the FBI?
search for evidence (black boxes, hijacker weapons, etc.)
98
What was the primary role of the anthropologists?
distinguish human remains from other materials
99
Describe the process of identifying human remains at the OCME temporary morgue.
* Human remains transported from Ground Zero and Fresh Kills * Held in preprocessing refrigerated trailer * Initial assessment at triage station * Escorts transfer remains to specialist teams * ME examination * Contents documented, photographed, sampled for DNA analysis * Potentially other teams
100
Where are human remains stored until repatriation?
stored at the World Trade Center Memorial Repository

Anthropology (3 decks)

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