Forensic Anthropology and Osteology

The application of anthropological methods, particularly skeletal analysis, to human identification and medico-legal investigations.

The study and examination of bones in forensic investigations.

An assessment of skeletal characteristics such as estimated age at death, biological sex, stature, and population-related variation.

Whether the material is bone and, if so, whether it is human or nonhuman.

Anatomical shape, proportions, and structural features may help distinguish human bones from those of other species.

The dense outer bone tissue that provides much of a bone's mechanical strength.

The porous internal bone tissue composed of interconnected bony struts.

A bone with a shaft and two ends, such as the femur, humerus, or tibia.

The shaft or central portion of a long bone.

The end region of a long bone, commonly separated from the shaft by a growth plate during development.

The developmental union of an epiphysis with the adjoining bone, used as one indicator of skeletal maturity.

Tooth formation and eruption follow broadly predictable developmental sequences.

Age estimation through assessment of morphological changes to the symphyseal surface.

Adult age estimation based on morphological changes in the sacroiliac joint surface.

Adult skeletal aging shows substantial individual variation and overlap between age groups.

The pelvis, particularly features associated with the pelvic inlet, pubis, and greater sciatic notch.

An indentation along the posterior border of the hip bone that can contribute to skeletal sex estimation.

The angle formed beneath the pubic symphysis by the inferior pubic rami, used as one feature in skeletal sex estimation.

Cranial traits overlap between individuals and populations and are generally less reliable than a sufficiently preserved pelvis.

To estimate living height using validated statistical relationships between bone dimensions and stature.

Body proportions vary among populations, and equations have different reference samples and uncertainty ranges.

It may assist identification through population-related skeletal variation, but results are probabilistic and cannot establish a person's social identity or ethnicity with certainty.

Bone injury sustained before death that may show healing or remodeling.

Bone injury occurring around the time of death while the bone retains fresh-bone mechanical properties.

Damage occurring after death, including environmental, animal-related, recovery-related, or other changes.

The biological process through which bone tissue is resorbed and replaced, potentially providing evidence of healing.

New bone formed during the healing of a fracture.

A fracture pattern containing a triangular bone fragment, commonly associated with bending forces.

A fracture in which a portion of the cranial bone is displaced inward.

The study of processes affecting remains after death, including decomposition, weathering, burial, and animal activity.

The application of dental science to legal investigations, especially human identification and the examination of dental evidence.

A standardized chart or record documenting the condition and characteristics of a person's teeth.

A system identifying permanent teeth by quadrant numbers 1 through 4 and tooth positions 1 through 8 within each quadrant.

The permanent upper right central incisor.

The permanent lower left first molar.

The permanent lower right third molar.

Quadrants 5, 6, 7, and 8, with tooth positions 1 through 5 within each quadrant.

Dental records created before death, including charts, radiographs, treatment records, and other identifying information.

Dental findings documented during examination of a deceased person's remains.

Comparison of antemortem and postmortem dental features to evaluate whether records and remains belong to the same person.

Their locations, shapes, materials, and treatment patterns may provide distinctive features for comparison.

They reveal internal dental structures, restorations, root shapes, and other features useful for identification.

Skin is deformable, bite impressions may be distorted, and evidence does not support reliable individualization of a person from skin bite marks.

Antemortem information from missing-person records and postmortem information collected from recovered remains.

Friction ridge analysis, forensic odontology, and DNA profiling.

To compare antemortem and postmortem findings and assess whether identification criteria are satisfied.

It helps preserve traceability, prevent commingling, and maintain accurate records linking remains, samples, and findings.

The individual had not completed skeletal maturation, although age estimation requires examination of the specific bones and developmental stages.

The fracture occurred before death and survived long enough for healing to take place.

Evaluate the total correspondence under the applicable identification protocol and submit the findings for authorized identification review.