FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY

FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY

Question of the Day What is the most important piece of evidence forensic entomologist can determine from a dead body? a. time of death b. cause of death c. location of death d. all of the above

Forensic Entomology The study of insects and their relationship to time of death. commonly called upon to determine the postmortem interval or "time since death" in homicide investigations.

Entomology • based on the age of the insect present • "Time Since Colonization" • number of different techniques • species succession • larval weight • larval length • accumulated degree hour technique

Question of the Day A Forensic Odontologist can discover which of the following piece/s of information about a victim… A. Time of death B. Type of murder weapon used in a crime C. Identification of a dead body D. Identification of a suspect

Life Cycle of the Blow Fly • Blow Flies are most commonly the first insects to infest a dead body. • Lay eggs around natural body orifices • Nose • Eyes • Ears • Anus • Penis • Vagina • Open Wounds (Gun shot, Stab, Puncture wounds)

Question of the Day OCT 16 Due to the fact that insects are cold blooded animal, it can be concluded that A. insects will develop faster when found on bodies in cooler areas. B. warmer air temperature will means the body will decompose at a slower rate. C. heavy rain will cause insects to develop faster D. Bodies exposed to large amounts of sunlight will increase growth rate in insects.

Life Cycle • Eggs hatch into larva (1st Stage) • Maggots live on dead tissue. • Larva Molts (2nd Stage) • Molts a second time (3rd Stage) • Pre-pupal Stage molts into Pupae • 1-2 weeks from egg to pupae • Depends on species and environmental conditions Temperature/Conditions

AGENDA Oct 16 Big Question: How do the presence of insects provide valuable information about a body? 1. QoD 2. DO NOW 3. Forensic Entomology 4. Forensics at work on “The Body Farm” 5. Closing Thoughts

THE BODY FARM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCyiczAcRBY

Question of the Day Oct 17 Which of the following best describes the presence of blow flies on a dead body? A. The victim has been dead for at least 2 weeks B. The blow flies have been on the body for less than 1 hour C. Time of death can be estimated between 1 day and 14 days D. Time of death can be estimated between 1 week and 2 weeks

Background • Jack the Ripper • Brutally murdered 5 prostitutes from Aug 31 to Nov 9 of 1888 in Whitechapel, London. • Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly • Following these murders, the killings suddenly stopped and Jack the Ripper disappeared. • Each new murder was more gruesome and violent than the previous one. • All five women killed within 1/4 of a mile.

Jack the Ripper • There are many theories about the true identity of Jack the Ripper, his actions, and behavior. • He was a doctor, in the military, or a butcher. • He removed various organs and other body parts from his victims. • He was a psychopath. • They were revenge killings.

Question of the Day Oct 22 A common racial identifier anthropologists can use to identify the race of a victim is A. the diameter of the eye sockets B. the length of the jaw C. the circumference of the skull D. height of the cheekbones

Decomposition of a Body • Insects will immediately colonize a body. • Bacteria, Fungi, and animals • Depends upon where the body is located • Environmental conditions • Some insects thrive in the sun vs. shady conditions • Also dependent upon stage of decomposition • Beetles will consume bone and cartilage • Leakage of body fluids will lead to the disappearance of some insects and the appearance of others.

Investigation and Collection of Insects from a Body 1. Look at fauna and test soil to see if body has been moved. 2. Collect specimens from different areas of the body, clothing, surrounding environment (indoor/outdoor) 3. Collect 100 maggots 4. Collect pupae from body, clothing, hair, soil 5. Collect empty pupal cases from body, clothing, and surroundings

Investigation and Collection of Insects from a Body 6. Collect adult flies 7. Collect beetles 8. Collect any other insects at scene 9. Collect leaf litter near remains of body if outdoors (enough to fill a coffee can). 10. Place all insects in vials with food

Labeling and Exclusions Keep insects collected from different parts of the body separate from one another. Insects would not be present if the body is wrapped in plastic, buried deep underground, and frozen or freezing temperature/conditions

General Applications Detection of abuse in children Neglect in the elderly Automobile/Aircraft accident studies Interpretation of blood spatter patterns Determination of time of death Recovery of human blood from digestive tract Toxicological analysis

Accident Investigation • Insects theorized to be within the top 20 causes of automobile accidents (Bees and Wasps and stings on victims). • Also identified as causes of aircraft accidents. • Forensic entomologists are also requested to examine the fragmented remains of insects that have impacted and lodged on the front fascia, windshield, and radiator of automobiles. • Analysis of such remains can yield evidence to the probable path of an automobile through particular areas when pinpointing the location and areas of travel are of unique importance.

Question of the day What is osteology? A. the study of the human brain and nerve impulses B. the study of bone structure and function C. The study of ancient civilizations and their peoples D. The study of cancer and its effects on the body.

QUESTION of the Day OCT 31 The acetabulum (notch where femurs sockets into hip) is A. the same size in males and females B. larger in females C. larger in males D. smaller in males

QUESTION of the DAY NOV 5 A common sign of repeated abuse on skeletal remains is A. bruising of tissue B. fracture points on the bones of the arms and hands C. Calcification of bones D. Smooth areas around the joints and sockets.

DO NOW NOV 5 Diary of Jack the Ripper Part VI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEO6Z1HecCc

AGENDA NOV 5 BIG Question: How do forensic anthropologists determine the identity of a victim? 1. QotD 2. Finish Notes on Forensic Anthropology 3. More Factors in Determining Race and Gender 4. COMPLETEAnthropology Lab Investigation 5. Review and Closing Thoughts 6. ENTOMOLOGY QUIZ ENTOMOLOGY/ANTHROPOLOGY TEST – NEXT WEEK. DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED – STUDY!!!

ONLINE NOTES ALL NOTES FOR ANTHROPOLOGY POSTED ON MY WEBPAGE HOMEWORK PRINT THEM OUT or COPY THEM INTO YOUR NOTES.

Forensic Anthropology Forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology and human osteology in a legal setting, most often in criminal cases where the victim's remains are in the advanced stages of decomposition.

Forensic Anthropology A forensic anthropologist can assist in the identification of deceased individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated, or otherwise unrecognizable.

Skills of a Forensic Scientist • The analysis of skeletal, badly decomposed, or otherwise unidentified human remains is important in both legal and humanitarian contexts. • In addition to assisting in locating and recovering human skeletal remains, forensic anthropologists work to assess the following features from a skeleton. • the age, sex, ancestry, stature, and other unique characteristics.

The Bones Know Bones offer amazing clues to the trained eye. A trained forensic anthropologist, using techniques favored by archeologists, can identify illness, pregnancies, and possible careers of the deceased. It is also possible to determine other activities the deceased individual was involved with in life.

Craniosacral measurements (skull measurements) have been established for all ages and race groups, which allow forensic anthropologists to establish a better picture of the deceased. The skull features unique racial identifiers such as the length of jaw and the distance between eye sockets.

The Bones Know The bones also hold clues to what work the person did. Bony ridges form where the muscles attach and have pulled over the years. A bony ridge on the wrist may indicate that the decedent used their hands for a living, such as a chef or seamstress.

FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY