Dem Bones Lab finished - lab report PDF

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Score Sheet and Cover Sheet for Dem Bones Report Criteria Teamwork

Self-Evaluation Questions

Did the self-evaluation indicate that you made significant contributions to the group while examining and discussing the evidence? (6) Communication Was the written report and summary conclusion completed in a thorough manner using the format for an investigative report? (3) Was the written report and summary conclusion free of spelling or grammatical errors? (3) Empirical and Was adequate evidence gathered and recorded for sex, age, Quantitative height and pathology determinations? (2) Reasoning Was height correctly determined from the femur and recorded with the proper units? (2) Was range correctly defined and determined? (1) Was an appropriate formula derived for calculating height? (1) Was deviation correctly defined and determined? Critical Was evidence used to support conclusions regarding sex, Thinking height, age and pathologies? (5) Were assumptions and/or discrepancies identified? (1)

Points Possible 6

6

6

6

Points Received

Name: G00996709 Lab: Dem Bones Forensics Report Due date: 3/26/19

Purpose of Investigation (Communication)

The purpose of our investigation team is to collect and identify the various bones found at the scene. We will study the bones and determine the age, sex, and any signs of trauma. After analyzing the bones we will infer the cause of death for victim C.

Introduction Dem Bones case study is written by Alease Bruce of the Department of Health and Clinical Sciences University of Massachusetts at Lowell, explaining the experience of a lifetime of an anthropologist. Rob Underwood put in a 911 call when his dog suddenly discovered a human femur from the ground. Officer Garret contacted Professor Thomas McCune. Once at the crime scene Professor McCune was led to an uncovered grave exposing half of a pelvic bone. The bones were collected and labeled. Bruce was called in to determine the age and gender of a skeleton that was excavated by a dog in Mr. Underwood’s backyard.

Materials The tools and materials needed to complete the case study were laid out in lab tables and the teacher assigned each group a designated letter to specific bones and clues at each table. They

would aid in determining the age, sex and traumas/fractures of the victim. Listed below were the materials needed for the investigation ● Skull ● Scapula ● Dem Bones Report/Article ● Pencil ● Long bones/Femur ● Ruler ● Calculator ● X-rays

Methodology & Evidence Examined (Communication) To investigate the case, we first gathered all the bones from where they were found. T Starting at the pelvis we will use it to determine the sex of the victim. Sex determination will also be done with the skull. Afterwards we will study the victim’s scapula to estimate their age. For the height, we will measure the femur and estimate their height using a formula for height regression. Finally, we will analyze the skeleton as a whole to determine pathological and physiological changes.

Investigative Findings & Analysis

▪ In Activity I we observed the pelvic bone to determine the sex of the victim. We determined that the victim was a female due to the shape of the foramen, sciatic notch, ilium, pelvic inlet, and the sacrum. As well as the size of the acetabulum and the degree of the pubic arch. ▪ In Activity II we determined the sex and age of our victim by looking at the skull provided. Our skull had a slender supraorbital ridge and occipital protuberance. It also had a short -shaped mastoid process and a V- shaped mandible. Thus, leading us to the conclusion that our victim is in fact a female. ▪ In Activity III we determined that our victim must have been about 40-50 years old because the anterior 1/3 of the sagittal suture and lower half of coronal suture is visible. The posterior 1/3 of the sagittal is not visible therefore, it ruled out the possibility of the victim being 40 years or younger. ▪ In Activity IV we first estimated the length of the femur that was discovered. After we calculated the height of the victim by first measuring the femur in centimeters and inputting the length into the female height equation. We then proceeded to convert our calculated height into inches. Then we inferred our own height by measuring our femur in centimeter and inputting the measurement into the female height equation. Finally, we composed our own regression.

● In Activity V we analyzed for pathological and physiological changes. We were to observe pictures provided and observe what kind of fractures were done and detect if it was inferred to a pathology or trauma.

Sex Characteristics of the Pelvis- Activity I (Teamwork) Feature 1. obturator foramen shape 2. acetabulum size 3. pubic arch 4. sciatic notch shape 5. Ilium shape 6. pelvic inlet shape 7. sacrum shape

Observations Triangular Small More than 90 degrees Wide Wide Circular Short, wide

Inferences Female Female Female Female Female Female Female

Sex Characteristics of the Skull- Activity II (Teamwork) Feature A. supraorbital ridge B. occipital protuberance C. mastoid process D. mandible

Observation Slender Slender Short V-shaped

Inferences Female Female Female Female

Experiment Table: V Osteoporosis

Pathology

Scoliosis

Patholog y

Height Estimation (Quantitative Reasoning) (Critical Thinking)

Activity IV-Height estimation

Height estimation of Found Femur (2.47x 38.) +54.10+/- 3.72= 144.24 - 151.68cm 1 inch = 2.54 cm 144.24/2.54=56.8in 151.68/2.54=59.7 Range in inches=56.8-59.7 1ft=12in 56.8/12=4.7-5ft 4.7-5ft

Inferring your height from femur length (2.47x 40.) +54.10 +/- 3.72=149.18 - 156.62cm 1 inch = 2.54 cm 149.18/2.54=58.7 156.62/2.54=62 Range in inches=58.7-62 1ft=12in 58.7/12=4.9 62/12=5.1 4.9-5.1 ft

Compose your own regression: Humerus (humerus length x 2.68) +83.19= height (30x 2.68) + 83.29 = 163.69 1in=2.54cm 163.69/2.54=64.4in 1ft=12in 5.3ft

Conclusions (Critical Thinking & Communication) We first proceeded to determine the sex of the victim by utilizing the Sex Characteristics of the Pelvis table labeled Activity I. The table indicated that if the victim had a circular -shaped

pelvic inlet, which our victim had, it was a female. Following with a pubic arch more than 90 degrees. We can be sure of our answer since the table indicated that a male has heart- shape pelvic inlet and a pubic arch less than 90 degrees, which our victim didn’t have. In addition, to further support our lead, Sex Characteristics of the Skull- Activity II table indicated that vshaped mandible, short mastoid process were characteristics of a female. The victim also had a slender supraorbital ridge and occipital protuberance. From our judgement, our victim posed said characteristics. Furthermore, in activity III we proceeded to gather more evidence on our lead by measuring the height of the victim. We looked at the height estimation of the found femur. The length of the femur was 38 centimeters. We used a calculation, which determined that the range in height was 56.8 inches to 59.7 inches. We were provided with two formulas one for female and one for male .The formula is (2.32x length of the femur in cm.) + 65.53 +/- 3.94, for male and (2.47x length of the femur in cm.) + 54.10 +/- 3.72, for a female. We inferred our victim was female because the victim’s femur length was close to that of length of Lisseth’s femur .Lisseth measured the length of her femur and the calculation stated her measurements to be 156.62 cm which is 62 inches. She’s exactly 62 inches tall; the formula is somewhat accurate just a little off. The formula does not include the factors of disorders damping the results. For example, in the victims case the x-rays provided indicated she had Scoliosis. The bent of the spine can affect a person’s correct height. Scoliosis is not considered to be a fatal condition; however it may kill a person over time. After gathering the information and looking at the clues our investigating team concluded that Victim C died from Scoliosis limiting her function to breath and impacting the heart’s ability to function correctly. “In its more severe form, scoliosis can affect the heart and lungs, limiting their ability to function and leading to complication that can potentially result in death”. (Erika,2007). Furthermore, the victims seem to have suffered from osteoarthritis in her

bones in the x-rays provided her ulna and humerus touched from one end which indicated she suffered from loss of synovial fluid. Synovial fluid lubricated the joints to prevent them from rubbing against each other. “As you age, the synovial fluid may begin to dry up, and the stress put on the cartilage by passing years and injuries causes it to wear away”. (Heidtman,2017) In conclusion our experiment group believes Victim C cause of death was her scoliosis. We concluded that as time progressed her ability to breath and have a working heart decreased to the extent were they stopped working. We don’t believe she suffered from any accident or abuse due to the fact that none of her bones were broken. We noticed her teeth were absent, but that suggested that she had her teeth removed and wore dentures.

References Erika. (2017, March 10). Is Scoliosis Life-Threatening? Retrieved from https://www.scoliosissos.com/news/post/is-scoliosis-life-threateningnt. Heidtman, L. (2017, November 21). How Does Age Affect the Joints? Retrieved from https://healthyliving.azcentral.com/age-affect-joints-14145.html...