identification from skeletal remains
TRANSCRIPT
Identification from skeletal
remains
Age Sex Race Stature
Race Race can be determine from the
examination of :1. Skull2. Mandible3. Teeth4. Limb bones.
Skull Certain differences exist
between
Negroid (Black )
Caucasoid ( Europeans ).
Mongoloid ( Native Americans, Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, South east Asians )
Race can be determine by:
1. Cephalic index.
( breadth index ).
2. Height index.
3. Nasal index.
Cephalic index
The cephalic index is calculated as maximum breadth divided by maximum length of the skull multiplied by 100.
Breadth is measured above the mastoid process.
Length is measured between the glabella and the occipital protrobrance with caliper.
Type of skull Cephalic index
Race
Dolico cephalic ( long headed )
70 -74.9 Aryans, Black .
Mesati cephalic ( medium headed )
75 – 79.9 Europeans,
Brachy cephalic ( round headed)
80 or > Mongolians
Height index The height index is calculated as
height of the skull divided by length of the skull, multiplied by 100.
Nasal index
The nasal index is calculated as width of nasal aperture divided by height of nasal aperture multiplied by 100.
Blacks Europeans
Mongols
Cephalic index ( CI )
70 – 74.9
75 – 79.9
80 and above
Height index ( HI )
72 71 75
Nasal index ( NI )
55 46 50
Other differences in different racesBlacks Europea
nMongols
Orbits Square Triangular Rounded
Nasal opening
Broad Narrow and elongated
Rounded
Palate Rectangular
Triangular Rounded
The cheek bones or zygomatic arches are prominent in mongols.
in mongols, unlike other groups, the face width generally exceeds the head width.
Mandible and teeth In Blacks lower jaw is strongly prognathic .
Third molar is bigger than the first two molars.
In Mongols: Shovel shaped of upper central
incisors. Enamel pearls: are small nodules of
enamel on the tooth surface. Taurodontism ( bull tooth ): these
are common in Mongols. The pulp cavity is wide and deep and roots are fused.
Congenital lack of third upper molar is common.
In white Races Carbelli`s cusp: Small nodules on
lingual surface of maxillary molar is common.
Limb BonesRadio-humeral index
(Brachial index): Length of RADIUS divided by
length of HUMERUS multiplied by 100.
Europeans
Blacks
Radio-humeral index
Below 75 Above 80
Tibio-femoral index ( Crural index ): Length of tibia divided by
length of femur multiplied by 100.
Europeans
Blacks
Tibio-femoral index
Below 83 Above 83
Sex determination from skeleton
General featuresMales Females
1 Skeleton comparatively bigger and stouter, weight = 4.5 kg
Skeleton comparatively smaller and slender, weight = 3.00 kg
2 Muscular ridges, depressions and processes more prominent.
Muscular ridges, depressions and processes less prominent.
3 Shaft of long bones relatively rough & articular surfaces & ends larger
Shaft of long bones relatively smooth & articular surfaces & ends smaller.
Male pelvis Female pelvis 1 Bony framework
massiveBony framework less massive
2 Inlet: deep & narrow Inlet: shallow & wide3 Ant. Superior iliac
spines not widely seperated
Ant. Superior iliac spines widely separated
4 Ilium less expanded Ilium more expanded5 Subpubic arch narrow,
V shaped, angle= 70 degree
Subpubic arch wide, U shaped, angle>90 degree
6 Ischial tuberosities = inverted
Ischial tuberosities = everted
7 Obturator foramen = ovoid
Obturator foramen = triangular
8 Greater sciatic notch narrow, deep, & less then right angle
Greater sciatic notch wide, shallow & almost right angle.
9 Sacrum long & narrow, has five or more segments. Well marked promontory
Sacrum wide & short, has five segments. Promontory less marked.
10
Acetabulum wider & deeper
Acetabulum narrower & shallower
11
Pelvic brim heart shaped
Pelvic brim circular, elliptical
12
Anterior curvature is equally distributed along its length.
Anterior curvature is straight in upper half & sharply curved in lower half.
13
Articular surface of sacrum extends to 2 ½ to 3 vertebral bodies
Articular surface of sacrum extends to 2 to 2 ½ vertebral bodies
Femur Male femur Female femur
1 Head of femur is larger
Head of femur is smaller
2 Articular surface forms more then two thirds of sphere
Articular surface forms less then two thirds of sphere
3 Neck forms obtuse angle with shaft (125 degree)
Neck forms right angle with shaft
Skull Male Female
1 Bigger, heavier & rough.
Smaller, lighter, & smooth.
2 Cranial capacity almost 10 % more
Cranial capacity almost 10 % less
3 Frontal sinuses more developed
Frontal sinuses less developed
4 Fronto-nasal angulation distinct
Fronto-nasal angulation smoothly curved
Male skull Female skull 5 Glabella, supra-
orbital rigdes, zygomatic arch, mastoid process, occipital protuberance, occipital condyle & muscular attachments are more pronouced.
Glabella, supra-orbital rigdes, zygomatic arch, mastoid process, occipital protuberance, occipital condyle & muscular attachments are less pronouced.
6 Orbital opening comparatively big & rectangular
Orbital opening comparatively small & rounded
7 Facial bones more massive & not delicate in texture.
Facial bones less massive & delicate in texture.
Spinal columnMale Female
1 Mean breadth of first cervical vertebra 83 mm
Mean breadth of first cervical vertebra 72mm
2 Lumbar lordosis less marked
Lumbar lordosis more marked
Mandible Male Female
1 Lower jaw more massive
Lower jaw less massive
2 Chin - square Chin – pointed or rounded
3 Symphyseal height more
Symphyseal height less
4 Ramus – more broad Ramus – less broad
5 Angle region - everted
Angle region – not everted
Thorax Male Female
1 Thoracic cage – longer & narrower
Thoracic cage – shorter & wider
2 The ribs have a less pronounced curvature
The ribs have a more pronounced curvature
3 Body of sternum is bigger & more then twice the length of manubrium
Body of sternum is shorter & less then twice the length of manubrium
4 Upper border of sternum at level of body of 2nd thoracic vertebra
Upper border of sternum at level of body of 3nd thoracic vertebra
Sacral index Sacral index ( SI ): calculated as breadth of
base divided by anterior length of sacrum multiplied by 100. Male Female
Sacral index 112 116
Ischio-pubic index Ischio-pubic index ( IPI ): calculated by ischial
length divided by pubic length multiplied by 100. Male Female
Ischio-pubic index
73 - 94 91 -115
According to Krogman, degree of accuracy to determine sex
from boneEntire skeleton 100 %
Pelvis & skull 98 %
Pelvis alone 95 %
Skull alone 90 %
Long bones alone 80 %
Age determination from skeleton
MandibleFeatures Infancy Adult Old age
1 Angle b/w ramus & body
Obtuse right angle
obtuse
2 Body Shallow & small
Thin & elongated
Shallow & big
3 Ramus Short & oblique
Stunted Long & oblique
4 Condylar process
at lower level than coronoid process
Above the level of coronoid process
Neck is bent backward
5 Mental formamen
Placed near to the lower border
Midway b/w upper & lower border
Near the alveolar margin
5 Mental formamen
Placed near to the lower border
Midway b/w upper & lower border
Near the alveolar margin
Spinal column In youth : upper and lower surfaces of
bodies of the vertebrae bear radial markings, at age of 10 years.
By the age of 30 years, they begin to fade and disappear.
The osteophytic outgrowths from the anterior and lateral margins of the intervertebral discs become visible by 40 years.
The disc undergoes atrophic changes by about 40 – 45 years.