NCJ Number
91471
Date Published
1981
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This chapter discusses the forensic anthropologist as an expert witness, assesses the qualifications for and limitations of expert testimony, and delineates the methods of forensic anthropology.
Abstract
The methodology discussed includes gross visual examination, anthropometric measurements, microscopic examination, fluorescence tests, and determination of time since death. Other topics raised are time since burial or exposure and determination of bone burial or exposure. Sex characteristics of bones, skeletal age in children, skeletal age in adults, race patterns of the human skeleton, and calculation of stature from long bones are also discussed. Mention is made of matching intermingled bones and skeletal remains, examining bone fragments, and serological examining of bone marrow. The discussion concludes by identifying pitfalls in forensic anthropological examination. Footnotes and nine references are provided.