Forensic anthropology examines human skeletal remains to determine identifying characteristics like sex, age, stature, ancestry, and injuries. When remains are recovered at a scene, thorough documentation and collection of all bones and evidence is crucial. Skeletal analysis can reveal these identifying traits through measurements and examination of features in the skull, pelvis, and long bones. This allows for estimation of physical attributes of the deceased individual to aid in identification.

2.  Forensic anthropology is concerned
primarily with the identification and
examination of human skeletal remains.
Bones are remarkably durable and undergo
and extremely slow breakdown process
that lasts decades or centuries. Because of
their resistance to rapid decomposition,
skeletal remains can provide a multitude of
individual characteristics. An examination
of bones may reveal their sex, approximate
age, race, height, and physical injury.

3.  Recovering and Processing Remains:
 Thorough documentation is required
throughout the processes of recovery and
examination of human remains. The sites
where human remains are found must be
treated as a crime scene. These sites are
usually located by civilians who then
contact law enforcement personnel. The
scene should be secured as soon as
possible to prevent any further alteration of
the scene.

4.  The scene should then be
searched to locate all bones if
they are scattered or other
aspects of evidence such as
footwear impressions or
discarded items. Some tools can
be useful in the search for
evidence at a “tomb”
site, including aerial
photgraphy, metal
detectors, ground-penetrating
radar, infrared
photography, apparatuses that
detect the gases produced by
biological decomposition , and
so-called cadaver dogs that
detect the odors caused by
biological decomposition of
human remains.

5.  All items that are found must be
tagged, photographed, sketched,
and documented in notes. Once
all bones and other evidence are
found, a scene sketch should be
made to show the exact location
of each item (preferably using
Global Positioning System [GPS]
coordinates) and the spatial
relationship of all evidence. Once
the skeletal remains have been
recovered, they can be examined
to deduce information about the
identity of the decedent.

6.  The gender of the
decedent can be
determined by the size
and shape of various
skeletal
features, especially
those in the pelvis and
skull or cranium. Look
at the differences
between the male and
female pelvic structure.
Male Pelvis
Notice that the male pelvis is
higher and narrower than the
female pelvis.
Female Pelvis
Notice that the female pelvis is
shorter and wider than the male
pelvis, also note that the sacrum
is shorter, allowing for childbirth.

7.  In general, male craniums
are larger in overall size
than those of females.
› Overall Size
› Brow bone
› Mastoid Process
› Forehead

8. Female Male
Cranium Medium to large in size Large in Size
Forehead High in height, vaulted,
rounded
Low in height, sloped
backward
Brow Bone Diminished Pronounced
Mastoid Process Diminished or absent Pronounced
Mandible Angle Obtuse Approximately right
Pelvis opening Wide, circular Narrow, noncircular
Sacrum Short, wide, turned outward Approximately equal
width/length, turned inward
Subpubic Angle Approximately right Acute (<90 degrees)
Femur Narrow, angled inward from
pelvus
Thick, relatively straight from
pelvis
Overall Skeleton Slender Robust
Summary of Skeletal Features by Gender

9.  The method for determining
the age of the decedent
varies depending on the
victim’s growth stage.

10. A child’s cranium may also be
identified by the smaller size and
the presence of the developing
teeth. In infant and child
skeletons, formation of teeth
can be used in age
determination.

11. Humanhand,threemonthsHumanhand,threeyears

12. Humanhand,sixyearsHumanhand,twentyyears

13.  Although the categorization of “race”
has come under scrutiny and is hard to
define, forensic anthropologists use
broad classes to characterize the like
(but not definite) ancestry of skeletal
remains. The possible racial ancestry of
the decedent can be assessed by the
appearance of various cranial features
on the skeletal remains.

14.  The height of the victim when alive can
be estimated by measuring the long
bones of the skeleton, especially in the
lower limbs. Even partial bones can yield
useful results.
Note: all
measurements
in centimeters
Caucasoid Negroid Unknown Ancestry
Female Height = femur length x 2.47 + 54.10 Height = femur length x 2.28 + 59.76 Height = femur length x 3.01 + 32.52
Height = humerus length x 3.36 + 57.97 Height = humerus length x 3.08 + 64.67 Height = humerus length x 4.62 + 19.00
Male Height = femur length x 2.32 + 78.10 Height = femur length x 2.10 + 72.22 Height = femur length x 2.71 + 45.86
Height = humerus length x 2.89 + 78.10 Height = humerus lengthx 2.88 + 75.48 Height = humerus length x 2.88 + 75.48

15.  A forensic anthropologist may also create
facial reconstructions to help identify
skeletal remains.
Michigan State Trooper Sarah Krebs

16. Notes from this presentation taken from Forensic Science: An Introduction.
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