The Use of Forensic Anthropology
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Summary
Forensic analysis has become and will continue to be a complicated and highly specialized field of study. Forensic investigations require teams of specialists from many different scientific fields in addition to legal and law enforcement personnel. Of the many specialties that are used in death investigations, forensic anthropology is most often associated with the analysis of skeletalized human remains.
This volume provides guidelines for determining when to include and how to choose a forensic anthropologist in your investigations. The Use of Forensic Anthropology is written with the assumption that the reader is not a trained anthropologist, and goes by the premise that most law enforcement professionals simply want to know how a forensic anthropologist is going to help them do their job. Many examples and anecdotes are offered by the authors, who strive to keep the text at a clear, readable level that is informative yet enjoyable to read. Jargon is purposefully kept to a minimum, but when it is used it is defined in context so that a common use and understanding of the terms can be achieved.
Coroners, medical examiners, pathologists, crime scene investigators, local and state police, and anyone working in a crime laboratory can benefit from this easy to understand guide on when to use and how to choose a forensic anthropologist.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Some Bones Have Been Found
Setting the Scene
What the Forensic Anthropologist Can and Cannot Do
Finding a Forensic Anthropologist
Sidebar on Physical Anthropology/Forensic Anthropology
What the Forensic Anthropologist Can Do
How to Find a Forensic Anthropologist
Establishing the Ground Rules
Sidebar-Letters of Agreement
The Case Report
Techniques for Recovering Skeletalized Human Remains
Equipment Requirements
"I Think There is a Skeleton Buried in this Field"
"Here's a Bone, We Have a Problem"
The Forensic Anthropologist and Recovery of Remains
Field Recovery
The Final Report
Things You Can Do to Make Recovery Easier
Ten Key Questions
Sidebar on NAGPRA
Determination of Time Since Death
The Body
The Microenvironment
Eight Essential Environmental Categories of Information
Special Techniques-Their Value and Limitations
Facial Reconstruction
Direct Facial Reconstruction
Cranial-Facial Superimposition
Video Superimposition
Footprint Impression Analysis
Osteon Counting
Bite Mark Analysis
ABO Blood Type
Forensic Toxicology
Carbon 14 Dating
DNA Testing
Skeletal Trauma and Identifying Skeletal Pathology
Antemortem Trauma
Perimortem Trauma
Postmortem Trauma
Pseudotrauma
Pathologic Changes in Bone
Follow-up Steps for Skeletal Abnormalities
Putting Your Case Together
Forensic Anthropology and A Skeletal Remains Investigation
Closing the Case, Closing the Book
Appendices
Report Forms
Face Sheet
Forensic Anthropology Summary
General Information
Contextual Description
Recovery Area
General Description of Remains
Inventory
Photo and Video Inventory
Glossary
References
Editorial Reviews
"When you find bones and are trying to figure out who they are and how they died, pick up this book. It tells you how to find specimens of one of the rarest scientific species: Forensic Anthropologists. More importantly, it tells you what they can do for you and how [they do] it in a straightforward, interesting and readable manner."
-Clyde Collins Snow, Ph.D., Forensic Anthropology Consultant
"A practical, down-to-earth primer on forensic anthropology for anybody connected with law enforcement . . . and a gold mine for any fiction writer who's interested in the way it's really done."
-Aaron Elkins, Edgar-Award-winning author of the Gideon Oliver forensic mystery novels
"…superbly written for the market audience of professionals who are not wholly conversant with the benefits that Forensic Anthropology can bring to a criminal investigation…I would strong recommend this text to all Senior Investigative Officers, Police Training Course coordinators, Forensic Pathologists and members of the Judiciary profession."
--Dr. Sue Black, Forensic Anthropologist, Human Identification Centre, Department of Forensic Medicine and Science, University of Glasgow
A remarkably complete and usable guide to forensic anthropology, covering everything from how to dig up a body Chock full of usable examples and helpful illustrations."
-Aaron Elkins, Edgar-Award-winning author of the Gideon Oliver forensic mystery novels
An extraordinary guide to the nuts and bolts of forensic anthropology that manages to combine enormous usefulness with wonderful readability."
-Aaron Elkins, Edgar-Award-winning author of the Gideon Oliver forensic mystery novels
"Uses clear and concise illustrations, anecdotes, and a variety of examples to help readers understand how bodies should be dug up, what bones can tell you, and when a forensic anthropologist should be consulted." --Dig Facts
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