NCJ Number
44526
Date Published
1976
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE ARTICLE DESCRIBES SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF VICTIMS FOUND AT A FIRE SCENE.
Abstract
MANY OF THE TECHNIQUES OF IDENTIFYING A BODY DESTROYED IN A FIRE ARE THE SAME AS THOSE FOR IDENTIFYING UNBURNED SKELETONS. THE PROCESS USED IS OSTEOBIOGRAPHY. BY STUDYING THE BONES, THE ANTHROPOLOGIST CAN TELL A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE VICTIM'S LIFE HISTORY -- HIS NUTRITION, DISEASES, INJURIES, AND GENETIC TRAITS. THE INVESTIGATOR FIRST DETERMINES THE GENERAL TIME OF DEATH OF THE VICTIM, USUALLY BY STUDYING ARTIFACTS SURROUNDING THE SKELETON. THEN THE VICTIM'S AGE IS ESTIMATED BY EXAMINING THE BODY FOR CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES IN THE SKELETON WHICH OCCUR DURING CERTAIN PERIODS IN A PERSON'S LIFE. THE ANTHROPOLOGIST CAN USUALLY ESTIMATE THE AGE OF AN ADULT WITHIN THREE TO FIVE YEARS. AFTER AGE, HE DETERMINES THE SEX. THE SHAPE OF THE PELVIS IS THE BEST INDICATOR -- THE FEMALE'S TENDS TO BE SHORTER, SHALLOWER, AND BROADER. THE VICTIM'S RACE CAN OFTEN BE ESTABLISHED IF A COMPLETE SKULL CAN BE FOUND. THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF CHEEKBONES, BROW, NASAL APERTURE, AND SOMETIMES EVEN THE SHAPE OF THE TEETH MAY SHOW DISTINCTIVE RACIAL CHARACTERISTICS. THE VICTIM'S STATURE IS RATHER EASY TO DETERMINE SIMPLY BY MEASURING THE BONES. WITH ALL OF THIS INFORMATION, THE INVESTIGATOR THEN TRIES TO RECONSTRUCT A FACE FROM THE SKULL. THERE ARE MODELS OF THE AVERAGE DEPTH OF THE SKIN OVER DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE SKULL, SO THAT THE SHAPE OF THE FACE CAN OFTEN BE RECONSTRUCTED WITH STRIKING SUCCESS. OTHER CLUES CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH RECORDS OF INDIVIDUAL DEFORMITIES, E.G., OLD FRACTURES AND GAPS BETWEEN THE TEETH. SINUS PATTERNS ARE ALSO DISTINCTIVE AND CAN BE USEFUL IF PREVIOUS X-RAYS OF VICTIM'S HEAD CAN BE FOUND. (VDA)