How do the Dead Tell Tales?

1. How do the Dead Tell Tales?

2. Evidence-Look and Feel of Victim’s Bones can help Determine Identity • Dead Men Talking: Man burned in a car in Mexico • Dr. Bass determined body was not that of the 30 year old man who was said to be in the car • Instead, Dr. Bass determined it was a much older man b/c of the arthritic bones

3. Evidence • Mwivano-face had been cut off • Forensic anthropologist and artist used her skull to figure out details about the knife the murderer used • Photographed the model of her skull and placed copies around the community • cousin’s former wife identified her in local store bulletin

4. Other techniques • Photo superimposition is a process that can be used to figure out a victim’s identity from a list of possible identities • A photo of a person while she/he was still alive is superimposed over a victim’s skull • See if there’s a match

5. Facial Reconstruction • Facial reconstruction is a process investigators use to identify a decedent when there have been no missing reports filed • Use a combo of techniques and skills f/art & science to reconstruct the face

6. Evidence: A victim’s Medical and Dental records help match a dead person’s remains to a missing person • Dental procedures and medial or surgical appliances can be traced back to doctors and manufacturers who can identify the patients or help narrow the range of possible identities.

7. Bones/Skull/Body Parts Tell Tales • Age • Gender • Race

8. Individual Characteristics on Bones Tell Tales of the person’s life • Malnourishment • Broken bones • Muscular activity • Lifestyles • Abuse • Daily habits

9. Use the STORIES • The case of the missing leg • Mwivano’s story • The story from Dead Men Talking