The Dead Body The Dead Body and Remains and Remains

Coach WhitakerCoach Whitaker

““A dead man tells no tales A dead man tells no tales but his body does”but his body does”

VocabularyVocabulary

Rigor Mortis—a stiffness in the muscles Rigor Mortis—a stiffness in the muscles thatthat

occurs shortly after deathoccurs shortly after death Ossification sites—place where growth Ossification sites—place where growth

takes place on the bonestakes place on the bones Trauma—anything that hurts or leaves a Trauma—anything that hurts or leaves a

mark on the bodymark on the body Incised or cut wounds—caused when a Incised or cut wounds—caused when a

sharp object is drawn across the skinsharp object is drawn across the skin

VocabularyVocabulary Blunt Force Trauma—occurs whenever you make Blunt Force Trauma—occurs whenever you make

contact with a hard, dull objectcontact with a hard, dull object Scraping or scuffing—Abrasions are injuries that Scraping or scuffing—Abrasions are injuries that

result in the removal of the superficial layers of result in the removal of the superficial layers of the skinthe skin

Sliding abrasions—occurs when an object Sliding abrasions—occurs when an object scrapes or brushes away the skin—Road rash is a scrapes or brushes away the skin—Road rash is a common example and nooses cause abrasionscommon example and nooses cause abrasions

Stamp abrasions—occur when a blunt object Stamp abrasions—occur when a blunt object strikes the skin, crushing it and leaving a raw strikes the skin, crushing it and leaving a raw areaarea

Patterned abrasions—are a type of stamp Patterned abrasions—are a type of stamp abrasion that leaves the pattern behind when abrasion that leaves the pattern behind when there is a barrier there is a barrier

VocabularyVocabulary

Simple fracture—is a single break in Simple fracture—is a single break in a bonea bone

Comminuted fracture—is where the Comminuted fracture—is where the bone breaks in two or more placesbone breaks in two or more places

Compound fracture—is where the Compound fracture—is where the bone breaks the skinbone breaks the skin

Asphyxia—is when the body cannot Asphyxia—is when the body cannot get enough oxygenget enough oxygen

VocabularyVocabulary

Algor Mortis—refers to the cooling rate of the Algor Mortis—refers to the cooling rate of the body after deathbody after death

Livor Mortis or Lividity--refers to the pooling Livor Mortis or Lividity--refers to the pooling of blood in the body after the heart stops, of blood in the body after the heart stops, caused by gravitycaused by gravity

Rigor Mortis—refers to the rigidity of the Rigor Mortis—refers to the rigidity of the skeletal muscles after deathskeletal muscles after death

Autolysis—is a process of self-digestionAutolysis—is a process of self-digestion Putrefaction—more destructive process, Putrefaction—more destructive process,

caused be bacteria that destroy the body’s caused be bacteria that destroy the body’s tissuestissues

VocabularyVocabulary

Medical Examiner—is a medical Medical Examiner—is a medical doctor trained to perform autopsiesdoctor trained to perform autopsies

AG GuideAG Guide

Causes of Death in the Causes of Death in the US in 2008US in 2008

1. Diseases of the heart 1. Diseases of the heart 28.5 28.5

2. Malignant tumors 2. Malignant tumors 22.8 22.8

3. Cerebrovascular diseases 3. Cerebrovascular diseases 6.7 6.7

4. Chronic lower respiratory 4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases diseases 5.15.1

5. Accidents (unintentional 5. Accidents (unintentional injuries)injuries) 4.4 4.4

6. Diabetes mellitus6. Diabetes mellitus3.0 3.0

7. Influenza and pneumonia7. Influenza and pneumonia2.7 2.7

8. Alzheimer's disease8. Alzheimer's disease2.4 2.4

9. Nephritis, nephrotic 9. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis syndrome, and nephrosis

1.7 1.7 10. Septicemia (blood 10. Septicemia (blood

poisoning) poisoning) 1.4 1.4 11. Suicide11. Suicide

1.3 1.3 12. Chronic liver disease and 12. Chronic liver disease and

cirrhosiscirrhosis 1.1 1.1 13. Primary hypertension and 13. Primary hypertension and

hypertensive renal disease hypertensive renal disease 0.8 0.8

14. Parkinson's disease (tied)14. Parkinson's disease (tied)0.7. 0.7.

15. Homicide (tied) 15. Homicide (tied) 0.70.7

What is Death?What is Death? People living prior to People living prior to

the 19the 19thth century had century had good reason to worry good reason to worry about being buried about being buried alivealive

Stethoscopes hadn’t Stethoscopes hadn’t been invented and been invented and determinations of determinations of death were a guessing death were a guessing gamegame

Determination of Determination of death never has been death never has been straightforwardstraightforward

What is Death?What is Death? A death A death

pronouncement pronouncement requires no heart beat requires no heart beat or rhythm and no or rhythm and no brain activity which is brain activity which is measured by an EEGmeasured by an EEG

A death A death pronouncement is still pronouncement is still controversial today controversial today and there are different and there are different definitions for brain definitions for brain deathdeath

Methods of DeathsMethods of Deaths

Trauma is anything Trauma is anything that hurts or that hurts or leaves a markleaves a mark

Crimes that result Crimes that result in trauma leave a in trauma leave a wealth of wealth of information for information for investigatorsinvestigators

GunshotsGunshots

The sudden explosive force and what it The sudden explosive force and what it does to a body is shockingdoes to a body is shocking

Gunshot are a common cause of death Gunshot are a common cause of death in accidental, suicidal, and homicidal in accidental, suicidal, and homicidal shootingsshootings

In order for a gunshot to be immediately In order for a gunshot to be immediately fatal, extensive trauma to the brain, fatal, extensive trauma to the brain, heart, or upper spinal cord must occurheart, or upper spinal cord must occur

Otherwise death is slower and depends Otherwise death is slower and depends on bleeding to deathon bleeding to death

Slicing, Dicing, and Slicing, Dicing, and StabbingStabbing

There are three general There are three general types of stabbing:types of stabbing:

Stab woundsStab wounds1.1. most often homicidalmost often homicidal2.2. More deep than wideMore deep than wide3.3. Wounds are more likely Wounds are more likely

to be distorted by to be distorted by twisting and turningtwisting and turning

4.4. Determining the exact Determining the exact weapon is trickyweapon is tricky

If a piece or tip of the If a piece or tip of the weapon breaks offweapon breaks off

If the victim’s blood can If the victim’s blood can be DNA matchedbe DNA matched

Slicing, Dicing, and Slicing, Dicing, and StabbingStabbing

Incised or cut wounds—caused when a Incised or cut wounds—caused when a sharp object is drawn across the skinsharp object is drawn across the skin

1.1. Suicidal wounds are typically found on Suicidal wounds are typically found on wrist with hesitation markswrist with hesitation marks

2.2. Homicidal wounds are found on the neckHomicidal wounds are found on the neck

3.3. Defensive wounds may be incised in Defensive wounds may be incised in naturenature

4.4. Accidental cuts usually involve the Accidental cuts usually involve the handshands

Slicing, Dicing, and Slicing, Dicing, and StabbingStabbing

Chop wounds—Chop wounds—these wounds are these wounds are deep and wedge deep and wedge shapedshaped

1.1. Major trauma is Major trauma is associated with associated with this type of this type of woundwound

2.2. Accidental or Accidental or homicidalhomicidal

ActivityActivity

For each category, you will find a For each category, you will find a total of six unusual deaths that have total of six unusual deaths that have occurred in the pastoccurred in the past

Two gunshots, two stab wounds or Two gunshots, two stab wounds or cut wounds, and two crush wounds cut wounds, and two crush wounds

You will create a book of methods of You will create a book of methods of death that has each categorydeath that has each category

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_uhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unusual_deathsnusual_deaths

Blunt Force TraumaBlunt Force Trauma Blunt Force Trauma Blunt Force Trauma

occurs whenever you occurs whenever you make contact with a make contact with a hard, dull object in a hard, dull object in a way it hurts youway it hurts you

It can come from an It can come from an assault, a fall, an car assault, a fall, an car wreck, or a number of wreck, or a number of things that can scrape things that can scrape or bruise your skin, or bruise your skin, break your bones, or break your bones, or even damage your even damage your internal organsinternal organs

Blunt Force TraumaBlunt Force Trauma Scraping or scuffing—Abrasions are injuries that Scraping or scuffing—Abrasions are injuries that

result in the removal of the superficial layers of result in the removal of the superficial layers of the skinthe skin

Sliding abrasions—occurs when an object scrapes Sliding abrasions—occurs when an object scrapes or brushes away the skin—Road rash is a common or brushes away the skin—Road rash is a common example and nooses cause abrasionsexample and nooses cause abrasions

Stamp abrasions—occur when a blunt object Stamp abrasions—occur when a blunt object strikes the skin, crushing it and leaving a raw strikes the skin, crushing it and leaving a raw areaarea

Patterned abrasions—are a type of stamp Patterned abrasions—are a type of stamp abrasion that leaves the pattern behind when abrasion that leaves the pattern behind when there is a barrier there is a barrier

Blunt Force TraumaBlunt Force Trauma Bruising and BatteringBruising and Battering

—result from damage —result from damage to small blood vessels to small blood vessels in tissues at the site of in tissues at the site of BFTBFT

The tissue leak blood The tissue leak blood which imparts a blue-which imparts a blue-black color to tissuesblack color to tissues

Not every trauma Not every trauma leaves a bruiseleaves a bruise

Internal organs can be Internal organs can be contused contused

Blunt Force TraumaBlunt Force Trauma

Breaking bones—fractures are Breaking bones—fractures are breaks in bones that result from breaks in bones that result from traumatrauma

Simple fracture is a single breakSimple fracture is a single break Comminuted fracture is where the Comminuted fracture is where the

bone breaks in two or more placesbone breaks in two or more places Compound fracture is where the Compound fracture is where the

bone breaks the skinbone breaks the skin

Blunt Force TraumaBlunt Force Trauma Direct trauma causes a Direct trauma causes a

single or transverse single or transverse fracture or a fracture fracture or a fracture that occurs across the that occurs across the long axis of the bonelong axis of the bone

Crush fracture is one Crush fracture is one that is composed of that is composed of several fracture linesseveral fracture lines

A crush fracture often A crush fracture often produces a compression produces a compression wedge that shows the wedge that shows the direction of the blowdirection of the blow

Blunt Force TraumaBlunt Force Trauma

Most BLT to the head results in injury, Most BLT to the head results in injury, however a BLT to the head is the most however a BLT to the head is the most dangerous locationdangerous location

The brain is easily injured and cause The brain is easily injured and cause permanent damagepermanent damage

BLT to the head may result in anything BLT to the head may result in anything from a head contusion to deathfrom a head contusion to death

For death to occur, BLT would most For death to occur, BLT would most likely have to cause intracranial likely have to cause intracranial bleedingbleeding

ElectrocutionElectrocution Electricity flows Electricity flows

along the shortest along the shortest path from the point path from the point of entry to the point of entry to the point where it is groundedwhere it is grounded

Death depends on its Death depends on its amperage and amperage and duration of the duration of the contactcontact

The greater danger The greater danger is their effect on the is their effect on the heartheart

AsphyxiaAsphyxia

Asphyxia is when the body cannot Asphyxia is when the body cannot get enough oxygen—four ways are:get enough oxygen—four ways are:

1.1. Suffocation—the air may have little Suffocation—the air may have little or no O2or no O2

2.2. Strangulation—a blockage or Strangulation—a blockage or obstruction prevents air from obstruction prevents air from entering the airwaysentering the airways

3.3. Drowning—the lungs fill with waterDrowning—the lungs fill with water

4.4. Inhalation of toxic chemicalsInhalation of toxic chemicals

ActivityActivity You will complete the method of death book with You will complete the method of death book with

three new categories—blunt force trauma, three new categories—blunt force trauma, electrocution, and asphyxiation electrocution, and asphyxiation

4 BFT, 2 electrocution, and two asphyxiation4 BFT, 2 electrocution, and two asphyxiation Each page will have a pictures and a text box that Each page will have a pictures and a text box that

includes:includes: Story summary and year Story summary and year For each category, you will find a total of six For each category, you will find a total of six

unusual deaths that have occurred in the pastunusual deaths that have occurred in the past Two gunshots, two stab wounds or cut wounds, and Two gunshots, two stab wounds or cut wounds, and

two crush wounds two crush wounds You will create a book of methods of death that has You will create a book of methods of death that has

each categoryeach category http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unusual_deathsen.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unusual_deaths

Process of Process of DecompositionDecomposition

After death bodies start After death bodies start to decompose in regular to decompose in regular pattern pattern

A time of death can be A time of death can be more accurately more accurately determined if the body is determined if the body is found in 24 hours using found in 24 hours using indicators of Algor indicators of Algor Mortis, Livor Mortis, and Mortis, Livor Mortis, and Rigor MortisRigor Mortis

If that time has passed If that time has passed the FI has to use other the FI has to use other methods discussedmethods discussed

Algor MortisAlgor Mortis Refers to the cooling Refers to the cooling

rate of the body after rate of the body after deathdeath

After death the body After death the body cannot keep its cannot keep its temperature at 98.6 temperature at 98.6 degreesdegrees

The temperature begins The temperature begins to drop to the air tempto drop to the air temp

The Glaister Formula The Glaister Formula can be used to give an can be used to give an estimate of hours after estimate of hours after death death

Glaister FormulaGlaister Formula

h= 98.4 F –internal temperature /1.5h= 98.4 F –internal temperature /1.5 If the temperature reaches ambient If the temperature reaches ambient

temperature all bets are offtemperature all bets are off

Livor MortisLivor Mortis LM refers to the pooling of blood in the body LM refers to the pooling of blood in the body

after the heart stops, caused by gravityafter the heart stops, caused by gravity It appears on the skin as a purplish red It appears on the skin as a purplish red

discoloration and can indicate position of the discoloration and can indicate position of the body at the time of deathbody at the time of death

There are no livor mortis in areas that touch There are no livor mortis in areas that touch the ground because the vessels are the ground because the vessels are compressedcompressed

LM begins in a half hour after death and is LM begins in a half hour after death and is more visible 12 hours after deathmore visible 12 hours after death

LM does not move after deathLM does not move after death

Rigor MortisRigor Mortis RM refers to the rigidity of RM refers to the rigidity of

the skeletal muscles after the skeletal muscles after deathdeath

After death, the muscles After death, the muscles relax and chemicals in the relax and chemicals in the muscles break down and muscles break down and the muscle becomes rigidthe muscle becomes rigid

It starts in the smaller It starts in the smaller muscles (neck and jaw)muscles (neck and jaw)

Occurs two hours after Occurs two hours after death and is gone after 30 death and is gone after 30 hours, leaving the body hours, leaving the body limp (reverses how it limp (reverses how it starts)starts)

Rate depends on Rate depends on environmental conditionsenvironmental conditions

Determining Rate of Determining Rate of DecayDecay

The decomposition process of the The decomposition process of the body involve two things:body involve two things:

Autolysis—is a process of self-Autolysis—is a process of self-digestiondigestion

Putrefaction—more destructive Putrefaction—more destructive process, caused be bacteria that process, caused be bacteria that destroy the body’s tissues—comes destroy the body’s tissues—comes from bacteria internally and from bacteria internally and externallyexternally

PutrefactionPutrefaction Process sequenceProcess sequence1.1. After 36 hours, the abdomen takes a greenish After 36 hours, the abdomen takes a greenish

color and spreads to the upper bodycolor and spreads to the upper body2.2. Bloating is caused by gas produced by bacteria Bloating is caused by gas produced by bacteria 3.3. The skin develops blisters which is filled with The skin develops blisters which is filled with

liquid or serumliquid or serum4.4. The skin begins to marble which means it reveals The skin begins to marble which means it reveals

the weblike pattern of blood vesselsthe weblike pattern of blood vessels5.5. As gas accumulate, the abdomen swells, and the As gas accumulate, the abdomen swells, and the

skin continues to blister. Skin and hair begin to skin continues to blister. Skin and hair begin to slip from the bodyslip from the body

6.6. The body takes on a green-black color and fluid of The body takes on a green-black color and fluid of decomposition begin to draindecomposition begin to drain

7.7. The body blisters swells and burst releasing fluidsThe body blisters swells and burst releasing fluids

Bugs and BlowfliesBugs and Blowflies When an animals dies—When an animals dies—

blowflies know itblowflies know it After the time of death After the time of death

blowflies:blowflies:1.1. Lay eggs in decaying Lay eggs in decaying

fleshflesh2.2. Eggs hatch into larvae Eggs hatch into larvae

and feed off flesh until and feed off flesh until they become fliesthey become flies

3.3. A time of death can be A time of death can be established by established by determining what stage determining what stage the blowfly larvae are inthe blowfly larvae are in

4.4. Entomologist study the Entomologist study the insects lifeinsects life

ActivityActivity Forensic Entomology—Make a drawn Forensic Entomology—Make a drawn

poster of a blow fly that includes the life poster of a blow fly that includes the life cycle and how the time of death is cycle and how the time of death is determined in great detail. In the poster, determined in great detail. In the poster, five facts about blowflies and how they five facts about blowflies and how they feed on decaying bodies.feed on decaying bodies.

Stages of Human DecayStages of Human Decay Make a drawn poster of lividity, algor Make a drawn poster of lividity, algor

Mortis, and Rigor Mortis. Give in great Mortis, and Rigor Mortis. Give in great detail what happens to the physical body detail what happens to the physical body as it decays.as it decays.

AutopsyAutopsy Medical Examiner is a Medical Examiner is a

medical doctor trained to medical doctor trained to perform autopsy (Forensic perform autopsy (Forensic Pathologists)Pathologists)

Autopsy is conducted to Autopsy is conducted to determine the medical determine the medical factors relating to death factors relating to death and search for illnesses the and search for illnesses the deceased suffereddeceased suffered

A forensic autopsy may find A forensic autopsy may find time and manner of deathtime and manner of death

Cause of death—reason a Cause of death—reason a person diesperson dies

Mechanism of death—actual Mechanism of death—actual physiological change that physiological change that caused the cessation of life caused the cessation of life

http://health.howstuhttp://health.howstuffworks.com/autopsffworks.com/autopsy.htmy.htm

Four Manners of DeathFour Manners of Death

Natural—death that occurs from a Natural—death that occurs from a natural disease process (largest group)natural disease process (largest group)

Accidental—result from an unplanned Accidental—result from an unplanned and unforeseeable sequence of eventsand unforeseeable sequence of events

Suicidal—are deaths caused by the Suicidal—are deaths caused by the dead person’s own handdead person’s own hand

Homicidal—are deaths that occur by Homicidal—are deaths that occur by the hand of someone elsethe hand of someone else

Forensic AutopsyForensic Autopsy A ME typically investigates A ME typically investigates

any death that is:any death that is: Traumatic—occurring from Traumatic—occurring from

an injury that cold be an injury that cold be accidental, homicidal, or accidental, homicidal, or self-inflictedself-inflicted

Unusual—occurring in Unusual—occurring in circumstances that appear circumstances that appear to be unnatural or to be unnatural or suspicioussuspicious

Sudden—taking place Sudden—taking place within a few hours of the within a few hours of the onset of symptomsonset of symptoms

Unexpected—occurring in Unexpected—occurring in someone who wasn’t someone who wasn’t thought to be illthought to be ill

Performing the AutopsyPerforming the Autopsy

There several steps to an autopsyThere several steps to an autopsy1.1. Identifying the body—the identify of a Identifying the body—the identify of a

body cannot be left in doubt body cannot be left in doubt 2.2. Conducting an external examination—Conducting an external examination—

the ME conducts this at the scene—the ME conducts this at the scene—ME is careful not to touch the body or ME is careful not to touch the body or move it—at the morgue, the ME move it—at the morgue, the ME searches for trace evidencesearches for trace evidence

3.3. Measuring and weighing—determines Measuring and weighing—determines H and WH and W

Performing the AutopsyPerforming the Autopsy4.4. Photographing the body—Photographing the body—

photograph clothed and photograph clothed and unclothed—ME looks for unclothed—ME looks for marks and injuriesmarks and injuries

5.5. Checking out clothing—Checking out clothing—damage and trace evidencedamage and trace evidence

6.6. Establishes time of death—Establishes time of death—looking at stages of looking at stages of decompositiondecomposition

7.7. Takes X-rays—extent of Takes X-rays—extent of injuriesinjuries

8.8. Trace evidence—are Trace evidence—are collected—body fluids are collected—body fluids are collectedcollected

9.9. Examines injuries (three Examines injuries (three common ones are common ones are lacerations and contusions, lacerations and contusions, stab wounds, and stab wounds, and gunshots)gunshots)

How the Autopsy is DoneHow the Autopsy is Done Dissecting the bodyDissecting the body1.1. Making the incision—the ME makes a Y-Making the incision—the ME makes a Y-

shaped incision to the front of the bodyshaped incision to the front of the body—ribs and bones are cut with saws and —ribs and bones are cut with saws and breast plate is removedbreast plate is removed

2.2. Removing heart and lungs—removed in Removing heart and lungs—removed in one unit for blood typing, DNA, and one unit for blood typing, DNA, and toxicologytoxicology

3.3. Examining the abdomen—organs are Examining the abdomen—organs are weighed and examine and tissue weighed and examine and tissue samples are takensamples are taken

How the Autopsy is DoneHow the Autopsy is Done4.4. Collecting samples—Collecting samples—

contents of stomach are contents of stomach are taken—last meal can taken—last meal can determine TOD—other determine TOD—other organ samples are takenorgan samples are taken

5.5. Assessing the head and Assessing the head and brain—Me looks for brain—Me looks for evidence of head trauma evidence of head trauma or skull fractures—next or skull fractures—next the ME opens the skull the ME opens the skull and removes the brainand removes the brain

6.6. Returning the organs and Returning the organs and suturing the body—after suturing the body—after examination the organs examination the organs are returned and the are returned and the body is sutured and body is sutured and release to the familyrelease to the family

Autopsy Report Autopsy Report The report includesThe report includes Description of bodyDescription of body Visible injuriesVisible injuries Illnesses or injuries to the brain and Illnesses or injuries to the brain and

spinal cordspinal cord Internal examinationInternal examination Toxicology reportsToxicology reports Lab test resultsLab test results Pathologist opinion that includes cause, Pathologist opinion that includes cause,

mechanism, and manner of deathmechanism, and manner of death

Autopsy ActivityAutopsy Activity

Autopsy of a Dill PickleAutopsy of a Dill Pickle

The SkeletonThe Skeleton The Adult human has 206 The Adult human has 206

bonesbones The skeleton performs many The skeleton performs many

vital functions including:vital functions including: Structure and rigidity for the Structure and rigidity for the

bodybody Shelters and protects soft Shelters and protects soft

tissue and internal organstissue and internal organs Surrounds and protects the Surrounds and protects the

brainbrain Provides sites for the Provides sites for the

attachment of muscles, attachment of muscles, tendons, ligaments to allow tendons, ligaments to allow movementmovement

Stores minerals and forms red Stores minerals and forms red blood cells (immune)blood cells (immune)

The SkeletonThe Skeleton

The body moves through the The body moves through the interaction of muscles and the skeletoninteraction of muscles and the skeleton

Muscles are connected to the bones by Muscles are connected to the bones by tendonstendons

Bones are connected to bones by Bones are connected to bones by ligaments ligaments

Joints are points where a muscle is Joints are points where a muscle is connected to two different bones which connected to two different bones which allows movementallows movement

The SkeletonThe Skeleton Bones are classified as Bones are classified as

long, short, flat, and long, short, flat, and irregular:irregular:

Long bones—are longer Long bones—are longer than wide ex. Arms, legsthan wide ex. Arms, legs

Short bones—are as long Short bones—are as long as they are wide ex. Wrist as they are wide ex. Wrist and ankleand ankle

Flat bones—are flat and Flat bones—are flat and enclose soft tissue ex. enclose soft tissue ex. SternumSternum

Irregular bones—are Irregular bones—are irregularly shaped ex. irregularly shaped ex. vertebraevertebrae

Identifying BonesIdentifying Bones

Estimating Height Using Estimating Height Using Long BonesLong Bones

Forensic scientists can estimate Forensic scientists can estimate height by examining one or more of height by examining one or more of the long bones (femur, tibia, the long bones (femur, tibia, humerus, or radius)humerus, or radius)

The following are formulas for The following are formulas for determining height for men and determining height for men and womenwomen

Height Formulas in CMHeight Formulas in CM

MenMen Femur—H= length Femur—H= length

X 2.21+61.41X 2.21+61.41 Tibia—H= length X Tibia—H= length X

2.53+72.572.53+72.57 Humerus—Humerus—

H=length X H=length X 3.14+64.973.14+64.97

Radius—H=length Radius—H=length X 3.87+73.50X 3.87+73.50

FemaleFemale Femur—H=length Femur—H=length

X 2.23+69.08X 2.23+69.08 Tibia—H=length X Tibia—H=length X

2.39+81.682.39+81.68 Humerus—Humerus—

H=length X H=length X 2.97+73.572.97+73.57

Radius—H=length Radius—H=length X 3.65+80.40X 3.65+80.40

Estimating Height Estimating Height ActivityActivity

CSI no Bones About itCSI no Bones About it

Identifying the BodyIdentifying the Body Dead bodies are Dead bodies are

subject to internal subject to internal digestion, bacterial digestion, bacterial action, extreme action, extreme weather, insects, and weather, insects, and predators (one week in predators (one week in the open is two weeks the open is two weeks in the water or eight in the water or eight weeks in the ground)weeks in the ground)

The more decomposed The more decomposed the body is the greater the body is the greater challenge to ID challenge to ID

Digging the ArtifactsDigging the Artifacts Items found near the body or on the Items found near the body or on the

body may be helpful such as: body may be helpful such as: Jewelry—inscribed with names, dates, or Jewelry—inscribed with names, dates, or

initialsinitials clothing—style or manufacturer clothing—style or manufacturer burial shroud—coffins and blankets burial shroud—coffins and blankets

provide info from markings, or materials. provide info from markings, or materials. Plastic bags can have fingerprints Plastic bags can have fingerprints

Use scars, birthmark, surgical scarring, Use scars, birthmark, surgical scarring, and tattoosand tattoos

Fingerprinting the DeadFingerprinting the Dead Unless a corpse is Unless a corpse is

severely deteriorated, severely deteriorated, fingerprints can be fingerprints can be obtained and matchedobtained and matched

Saline is sometimes Saline is sometimes injected into the tips injected into the tips in the fingers to show in the fingers to show ridgesridges

The fingerprints can The fingerprints can be carefully sliced be carefully sliced awayaway

Checking Out the Checking Out the ChoppersChoppers

Dental records can identify human Dental records can identify human remains because everyone’s teeth remains because everyone’s teeth are different by:are different by:

Lengths, widths, and shapesLengths, widths, and shapes Missing, misaligned, and Missing, misaligned, and

reconstructedreconstructed Chips, furrows, and fillingsChips, furrows, and fillings

Determining AgeDetermining Age When only bones are When only bones are

available, a FS can only available, a FS can only make a best guess about agemake a best guess about age

Details that are useful in this Details that are useful in this prediction include:prediction include:

1.1. Teeth—tooth develop begins Teeth—tooth develop begins before birth and progresses before birth and progresses from baby teeth (20) to from baby teeth (20) to permanent (32) usually permanent (32) usually around 12 years old and around 12 years old and wisdom teeth appear around wisdom teeth appear around 18 years old18 years old

2.2. Skull—for adults the skull is Skull—for adults the skull is little use. In infants, the little use. In infants, the skull is not fully fused skull is not fully fused togethertogether

Determining AgeDetermining Age

3.3. Long bones of the leg and arms—these boneLong bones of the leg and arms—these bonechange as the body ages. In adults, total bonechange as the body ages. In adults, total bonegrowths ends around the age of 25growths ends around the age of 254.4. Pelvis—the (symphysis) a thin band ofPelvis—the (symphysis) a thin band ofcartilage that attaches to your pelvis to your spinalcartilage that attaches to your pelvis to your spinalcolumn is zig zag shape in the beginning andcolumn is zig zag shape in the beginning andstraight around the age of 50straight around the age of 505.5. Ribs—the breastbone are smooth and round in youth Ribs—the breastbone are smooth and round in youth

andandbecome more pitted and sharp in older agebecome more pitted and sharp in older age6.6. Bone density—As you age, bone density becomes Bone density—As you age, bone density becomes

lesslessdensebecause of a loss of calciumdensebecause of a loss of calcium

Sex DeterminationSex Determination Determining sex is crucial Determining sex is crucial

when analyzing remains. How when analyzing remains. How can you determine age?can you determine age?

The os pubis, sacrum, and The os pubis, sacrum, and ilium of the pelvis are bones ilium of the pelvis are bones that have the most obvious that have the most obvious differences between men and differences between men and womenwomen

The shape of the skull and jaw The shape of the skull and jaw are more cluesare more clues

Typically, men have larger Typically, men have larger bones than femalesbones than females

The sacrum is straighter in The sacrum is straighter in men men

The space in the middle of the The space in the middle of the pelvis is larger in womenpelvis is larger in women

Sex DeterminationSex Determination

The most accurate way by The most accurate way by comparing the three basic comparing the three basic characteristics of the os pubis:characteristics of the os pubis:

The width of the pubic archThe width of the pubic arch Width of the pubic bodyWidth of the pubic body The existence of a well-defined The existence of a well-defined

ventral archventral arch

PelvisPelvis

Pelvis ActivityPelvis Activity

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Two Labs on Bones in lab bookTwo Labs on Bones in lab book