1st Edition

Forensic Anthropology 2000 to 2010

Edited By Sue Black, Eilidh Ferguson Copyright 2011

    Advances in our ability to analyse information from skeletal remains and subsequent developments in the field of forensic anthropology make it possible to identify more victims of homicides, mass-fatality disasters, and genocide. Summarizing the vast collection of international literature that has developed over the past decade, Forensic Anthropology: 2000 to 2010 explores critical themes fundamental to this evolving topic. A superior supplemental text for any physical anthropology or archaeology class, this volume provides an ideal starting point for advanced exploration and more detailed analysis of select areas. Each chapter presents an overview of the theme under discussion, identifies present trends in research, and suggests areas in which future research could be developed.

    Topics discussed include:

    • Age determination in juveniles and adults
    • Sex, race, and ancestry determination
    • Stature determination
    • Dental and facial identification
    • Skeletal trauma and bone pathology
    • Taphonomy and comparative osteology
    • Identification from soft tissues

    Heavily referenced, each chapter contains extensive bibliographies that facilitate further study. The scope of the book’s coverage and the careful presentation of meticulous research make it an essential resource for those seeking deeper exploration of this growing field.

    Age Determination in the Juvenile; K.Wood and Dr. C. A. Cunningham
    Trends in the Literature
    Skeletal Maturation
    Skeletal versus Dental Age Assessment

    Age Determination in the Adult;
    S. Purves, L. Woodley, and Ms. L. Hackman
    Adult Age Determination
    Ossification
    The Skull
    Dentition
    Rib Morphology
    Pelvis
    Bone Histology

    Sex Determination;
    C. Dawson, D. Ross, and Dr. X. Mallett
    Sexing the Juvenile
    Sexing the Adult
    The Use of Geometric Morphometrics in Sex Assessment

    Stature;
    K. Nicoll Baines, S. Edmond, and Dr. R. Eisma
    The Fully Method
    Body Proportions, Populations, and Statistics
    Long-Bone Regression Methods
    Non-Long-Bone and Body Part Regression Methods
    Special Cases: Damaged or Juvenile Remains
    Image-Based Methods

    Race and Ancestry;
    E. Ferguson, N. Kerr, and Dr. C. Rynn
    Race and the Human Genome
    Race: Is It a Problem of Semantics?
    Practicality
    Ancestry and Craniometry
    Postcranial Skeleton

    Dental Identification;
    S. Carr, A. Maxwell, and Dr. S. McClure
    Identification Problems Associated with Antemortem Dental Records
    Identification Problems due to Esthetic Developments in Dentistry
    Matching Antemortem and Postmortem Records: Problems Making
    the Identification
    A Special Postmortem Identification Challenge: Features of Burned
    Dental Remains
    Mass Casualty Identification Problems: The 2004 Asian Tsunami
    Dental Labeling Systems
    Bite Mark Evidence: The Debate

    Skeletal Trauma;
    K. Davidson, C. Davies, and Dr. P. Randolph-Quinney
    Blunt Force Trauma
    Sharp Force Trauma
    Ballistic Trauma
    Explosive and Burning Trauma

    Bone Pathology;
    N. Lockyer, I. Armstrong, and Prof. S. Black
    Developmental, Growth-Related, Congenital, and Genetic Conditions
    Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
    Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease, and Osteoporosis
    Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis and Ankylosing Spondylitis
    Sinusitis, Mastoiditis, and Conditions Related to the Ear, Nose, and Throat
    Tuberculosis (and Leprosy)
    Brucellosis
    Treponemal Diseases
    Rickets
    Scurvy
    Vascular Conditions and Anemia
    Neoplasm
    Heterotopic Calcifications

    Taphonomy;
    J. Bristow, Z. Simms, and Dr. P. Randolph-Quinney
    The Theoretical and Epistemological Bases of Forensic Taphonomy
    The Application of Forensic Taphonomy: Postmortem Interval Estimation
    Delving into the Detritusphere: The Cadaveric Human Island

    Comparative Osteology;
    R. Gilchrist, S. Vooght, and Prof. R. Soames
    Gross Morphology
    Fragmented Remains
    Other Methods of Identification: Cortical Bone Thickness

    Identification from Soft Tissues;
    N. Archibald, L. Cullen, and Dr. J. Bikker
    Personal Identification Using the Hand
    Personal Identification Using the Lips
    Personal Identification Using the Ear
    Other Methods of Human Identification from the Soft Tissues

    Facial Identification of the Dead;
    W.-J. Lee, S. Mackenzie, and Dr. C. Wilkinson
    Manual 3D Facial Reconstruction
    Computer Mediation and Virtual Reality Tools
    Automated 3D Facial Reconstruction
    Computer-Generated 3D Modeling
    Accuracy of Forensic Facial Reconstruction
    Assessment Methods for Accuracy Evaluation
    Measurement of Facial Soft Tissue Thickness
    Prediction of Facial Features
    Craniofacial Superimposition
    Postmortem Depiction

    Index

    Biography

    Sue Black is a professor of anatomy and forensic anthropology and director of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee. She is a founder and director of the Centre for International Forensic Assistance (CIFA), founder and past president of the British Association for Human Identification, and advisor to the Home Office on issues pertaining to disaster victim identification (DVI). She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, and an honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. She was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001 for her services to forensic anthropology in Kosovo, the Lucy Mair medal for humanitarian services in anthropology, and a police commendation in 2008 for DVI training.

    Eilidh Ferguson was nominated to be coeditor for this text by her student peers. She graduated with a first-class honours bachelor of science degree in forensic anthropology from the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee. Eilidh served as class representative during her period of study at the university, and this is her first venture into publications.

    Forensic Anthropology: 2000 to 2010 is an edited text produced by members of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee. All major aspects of the subject are covered in the 12 chapters, each of which provide a brief summary and then, most valuably, continued with a list of references published during the last ten years on each topic. Each chapter was initially written by honours students in forensic anthropology and then revised and edited with the cooperation of a specialist member of staff. Thus this is an extremely useful edited reference text, written largely by students, for students, who need up-to-date information for their studies in Forensic Anthropology.
    —Louise Scheuer, Forensic Anthropologist and Honorary Chair, University of Dundee, and co-author of Developmental Juvenile Osteology

    " … a carefully conceived, clearly organized, and well-executed volume. … the scope and diversity of references make Forensic Anthropology 2000 to 2010 a valuable resource for everyone in this field. … Whether your goal is to conduct research, look up a technique to use in a forensic case, or brush up on the latest developments in a particular area of forensic anthropology, this edited volume provides a quick and easy means of finding current and relevant information about lab-based forensic anthropology."
    — Tracy L. Rogers, Ph.D., Department of Anthropology and Forensic Science Program, University of Toronto Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, in Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal

    "This book will make a welcome addition to the forensic anthropology literature. It contains short and concise chapters with extensive referencing. … will no doubt be of use to both the student and the professional."
    —Bernadette Manifold, Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology