Introduction
Forensic anthropologists use the skeletal system to identify remains through different methods. In this paper, I will discuss stature and sex primarily in regards to the elements and methods that can be used to determine them, along with the circumstance of their use and the debates surrounding their use. In regards to stature sex determination, different methods have been used in biological anthropology including morphological, statistical, and metric analysis. Each of these sections subsections and variation of techniques for identifying remains based on the type of remains available and the needs in identifying. Particular types of identification techniques have been used as case studies within this paper based on current discussions …show more content…
Sauer details the nature of forensic anthropology with reference to the use of the field in regards to identification and the steps taken by anthropologists to reach a conclusion. Although it serves as the introduction to the journal issue regarding the subfield, it does outline some key aspects of forensic anthropology (Sauer 1992: 105). The premise of body identification within forensic anthropology has mainly been discussed within other literature, including medical and pathology journals (Sauer 1992: 105). Sauer regards the main purpose of forensic anthropology in cases with remains to be identification. The means of modern day identification frequently relies on dental records or medical records to match past injuries to the history of the remains; however, such records are not always available to match with remains (Sauer 1992: 105). Unlike the other specialists called in on cases with remains, forensic anthropologists use the bones to look to the bio cultural context including the significance and the patterns present in the location of the find as well as the elements present on the skeleton (Sauer 1992: …show more content…
Their article situates the circumstances of identification to further establish the field. The use of forensic anthropology in the identification of disaster victims stems from the “medico-legal questions” present in a given find (Blau 2010: 29). The use of forensic anthropology in disaster victim identification assists with the mitigation of the extreme forces likely found during in the disaster (Blau 2010: 30). Remains were likely to have been exposed to a variety of different forces that cause variation between bodies in mass fatalities and assist in identification (Blau 2010: 30). The act of identifying victims has been broken into three phases including scene wherein the surroundings of the remains are investigated, mortuary wherein remains are separated and sorted into proper location to determine the number and profile of victims, anti-mortem data collection, and reconciliation (Blau 2010: 30). The preservation of remains and the profiles of victims can be used to identify victims and narrow search fields as well as allowing the return of remains to the families of the deceased (Blau 2010:
Forensic anthropologists use the skeletal system to identify remains through different methods. In this paper, I will discuss stature and sex primarily in regards to the elements and methods that can be used to determine them, along with the circumstance of their use and the debates surrounding their use. In regards to stature sex determination, different methods have been used in biological anthropology including morphological, statistical, and metric analysis. Each of these sections subsections and variation of techniques for identifying remains based on the type of remains available and the needs in identifying. Particular types of identification techniques have been used as case studies within this paper based on current discussions …show more content…
Sauer details the nature of forensic anthropology with reference to the use of the field in regards to identification and the steps taken by anthropologists to reach a conclusion. Although it serves as the introduction to the journal issue regarding the subfield, it does outline some key aspects of forensic anthropology (Sauer 1992: 105). The premise of body identification within forensic anthropology has mainly been discussed within other literature, including medical and pathology journals (Sauer 1992: 105). Sauer regards the main purpose of forensic anthropology in cases with remains to be identification. The means of modern day identification frequently relies on dental records or medical records to match past injuries to the history of the remains; however, such records are not always available to match with remains (Sauer 1992: 105). Unlike the other specialists called in on cases with remains, forensic anthropologists use the bones to look to the bio cultural context including the significance and the patterns present in the location of the find as well as the elements present on the skeleton (Sauer 1992: …show more content…
Their article situates the circumstances of identification to further establish the field. The use of forensic anthropology in the identification of disaster victims stems from the “medico-legal questions” present in a given find (Blau 2010: 29). The use of forensic anthropology in disaster victim identification assists with the mitigation of the extreme forces likely found during in the disaster (Blau 2010: 30). Remains were likely to have been exposed to a variety of different forces that cause variation between bodies in mass fatalities and assist in identification (Blau 2010: 30). The act of identifying victims has been broken into three phases including scene wherein the surroundings of the remains are investigated, mortuary wherein remains are separated and sorted into proper location to determine the number and profile of victims, anti-mortem data collection, and reconciliation (Blau 2010: 30). The preservation of remains and the profiles of victims can be used to identify victims and narrow search fields as well as allowing the return of remains to the families of the deceased (Blau 2010: