UNIT OBJECTIVES

Students should be able to:

  • Name the major bones of the human body.
  • Name and number baby and permanent teeth.
  • Determine the age, height, race, and sex from a given bone.
  • Describe several noninvasive techniques used to study bones.
  • Identify a human bone from that of an animal.
  • Use a identification key to identify an insect and/or plant.
  • Use an insect to determine time of death at a crime scene.
  • Describe particular cases that have been solved using anthropology.
ASSIGNMENTS
SPECIFICS
Talking Bones by Thomas

pages 1-129

Notes over the Talking Bones book.
Class Notes PowerPoint--You will need a password. Click here; enter the password; and view the presentation
Activities

Anthropology
Decomposition --check out the slides show
Entomology

BONUS: Forensic Art and Facial Reconstruction
Labs

Skeletal Lab
Animal Bone Comparison--Human or Animal?
Animal Skull Lab--Using a Key (This link may help you to determine your accuracy in using a key.)
The Beast of Bodmin Moor--Do you think the skull is genuine?
Articles Forensic Entomology
Incrimination by Insects
Other

Videos

  • Dead Men Do Talk
  • Insect Clues,
  • Body Evidence

Logic Problem 5
Crossword Review
Anatomy Independent Study Major Bone Names
Teeth Names and Number
Review


Teacher Review Sheet
Assessments Performance Assessment--using each lab
Skeletal Keys
Written Knowledge and Analysis Test

SKULL DIAGRAMS--Forensic Anthropology. Can you see differences between the three skull of the various races?

What differences do you see in:

  • the eye sockets (orbits)
  • the nasal bone (width and length)
  • skull (shape)
  • teeth
  • chin
ASIAN
BLACK AMERICAN
CAUCASIAN

 

SEX DETERMINATION--pelvis differences Females have a wider pelvic opening and when you look from this angle you will see only the coccyx bone. On the male you can see both the coccyx and the sacrum.

MALE

FEMALE

Two other indicators of sex can be seen in this diagram. A is the sub-pubic angle. Place the base of a protractor at the point on the pubic symphysis where the bones would meet. Line up the protractor so that it is parallel to the ramus of the right ischium.

B is the pubic body width. Measure from the middle of the lateral edge of the pubic symphsis to the medial edge of the obturator foramen with a calipers.

 

ENTOMOLOGY--the study of insects. In forensics, knowing the life cycle of the insects that invade and feed upon dead bodies, will give an idea of the time of death. The various flies lay their eggs which hatch into larvae known as maggots. As they feed on the decaying body, a mass of maggots swarm and grow in the flesh.

Go to the Entomology Research Project.

CASES OF INTEREST--Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist and author of several novels about a fictional forensic anthropologist, Dr. Temperance Brennan. She has her own web site that may be of interest to you. Any of her books would be acceptable for book reports.

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