Articles tagged with Forensic Anthropology
A new study reveals Africa's oldest known in situ cremation pyre containing the remains of an adult, dated around 9,500 years ago. The discovery suggests that ancient African hunter-gatherer communities had complex ritual practices involving posthumous removal and reburial of body parts.
A new study has uncovered hidden stories of pollution, gender, and life in industrializing Britain by analyzing bone chemistry and isotopic analysis of skeletal remains from two English towns. The findings reveal that exposure to toxic elements varied significantly across communities, sexes, and social identities.
Researchers successfully identified the skeletal remains of Duke Béla, a member of the Árpád and Rurik dynasties, using a combination of genetic and dental analyses. The study reveals that Béla was attacked by multiple individuals, consuming a diet rich in animal protein.
A new study found that sniffer dogs' performance in real-world scenarios is highly variable and dependent on factors like region, day, and explosive type. The research suggests that limited access to explosive training materials is a primary challenge for teams, highlighting the need for wider access to improve detection performance
A groundbreaking study has uncovered the first physical evidence of human-animal gladiatorial combat in the Roman period. Researchers found distinct lesions on a skeleton's pelvis, identified as bite marks from a large feline species, confirming the brutal nature of these spectacles.
MSU is developing a computer program called MOSAIC to create holistic biological profiles from skeletal remains, making the investigative process clearer and more efficient. The project aims to leverage relationships between various structures to provide estimates without biasing results by focusing on individual components.
This special issue focuses on critical identification cases, emphasizing collaborative approaches and utilizing cutting-edge technologies. Research articles explore methods for re-associating fragmented remains, applying radiocarbon dating in forensic case work.
Researchers from UNH's Forensic Anthropology Lab worked with town officials to investigate and document the remains, which showed signs of hardship and health issues. The reburial ceremony marked a rare opportunity for closure and respect for the individuals buried in hasty unmarked graves.
A new study has compiled a global archive of preserved human brains, challenging the notion that brain preservation is extremely rare. The archive reveals that nervous tissues persist in much greater abundances than traditionally thought, with many brains up to 12,000 years old and found in diverse environments.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new technique to extract usable DNA from bones of fire victims, allowing identification through dental records or DNA testing. The method uses two different techniques to extract DNA, one suitable for temperatures below 350 degrees and the other for hotter fires.
Bitemark analysis, commonly used in court trials, lacks scientific backing due to the uniqueness of human teeth on skin. A study of 26 people wrongfully convicted based on this evidence reveals a high rate of distortion, rendering it unreliable for identification purposes.
A new forensic science study investigates the decay of infant and juvenile bones, providing insights into decomposition rates and bone degradation. The research helps forensic scientists estimate the time elapsed since remains were at a location and identify suitable bones for DNA sampling.
This special issue explores the reality of identifying the dead in Brazil through various perspectives, including personal identification initiatives, forensic data management, and case reports. The articles shed light on best practices for procedures related to evidence chain of custody in forensic anthropology in Brazil.
A new study by Boston University School of Medicine found that the unique shape of the frontal sinuses, used in forensic anthropology to identify human remains, is influenced by both ancestry and sex. The research analyzed over 300 CT images, revealing that when considering both factors together, they significantly affect sinus dimensions
The article highlights the importance of addressing systemic racism in forensic sciences by engaging with descendant communities and institutions. Forensic researchers advocate for repatriation and interment of remains collected without consent, emphasizing the need for uncomfortable conversations and criticism on issues related to race.
A new study highlights the need to replace 'ancestry' in forensics with a more accurate approach, focusing on population affinity. Researchers found inconsistent use of terms related to ancestry and race within the field, leading to confusion and misuse.
Forensic archaeologists from Cranfield University are recovering the bodies of victims executed by the Franco regime during the Spanish Civil War. The team, working with partners and social anthropologists, aims to exhume and identify the remains of 26 people buried in a civil cemetery between 1939-1940.
A new study reveals nearly 30% of forensic anthropologists have worked on cases involving transgender individuals, but most are unfamiliar with gender-affirming surgeries. The research highlights the need for a bio-cultural and queer theoretical perspective in forensic sex estimation to recognize signs of gender-affirming procedures.
A new paper argues that ancestry estimation, used in forensic anthropology, is rooted in racist 'race science' and perpetuates white supremacy. The practice relies on flawed methods that have been debunked for decades.
A study found that forensic anthropology is a relatively homogenous discipline, lacking diversity in terms of people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities. The field struggles to keep up with issues relevant to society due to its lack of diversity.
Erin Kimmerle's research uncovered the remains of dozens of boys buried in unmarked graves, shedding light on decades of abuse and revealing an alarming history of injustices. Her work has brought closure to victims' families and sparked a global conversation about wrongdoing.
Skull shape differences were found among Asian and Asian-derived groups, enabling more nuanced ancestry estimations in forensic casework. The study provides population-specific methods for estimating biological profiles, aiding victim identification in mass disasters.
Researchers studying opioid addiction effects on bones are exploring how it impacts microscopic bone structures used to estimate age-at-death. Opioids upset the balance of bone remodeling towards more destruction and less formation of bone, leading to severely compromised age-at-death estimates.
A researcher re-examined seven bone measurements from 1940 and found they were more similar to Amelia Earhart than 99% of individuals in a large reference sample. The study concluded that the bones belonged to Earhart, citing evidence including her humerus and radius lengths.
Researchers analyzed shark scavenging behavior to identify marks on human bones, distinguishing them from terrestrial carnivore marks. The study found that shark teeth leave striations, while terrestrial carnivores leave puncture-like marks, providing valuable clues for forensic anthropologists.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee found that US skulls have increased in size by 200 cubic centimeters since the mid-1800s, with average height from base to top increasing by eight millimeters
Researchers found significant variation in craniofacial characteristics, with Lisbon females exhibiting broader noses and eyes spaced further apart than Coimbra females. The difference suggests genetic variations rather than dietary or nutritional influences.
The Applied Forensic Sciences Department at Mercyhurst College conducted a mock fire event in Montgomery County, Pa., to simulate fatal fire scenes and test new methodologies for recovering and analyzing burned human remains. The team aims to strengthen protocols for assessing trauma in forensic cases.
A global database is necessary to guarantee accurate identification of victims in mass disasters, according to a new study. Radiological techniques are crucial in this process, providing documentation and useful information on skeletal trauma and tooth location.
The LSU FACES Lab is building a comprehensive database of Louisiana's missing and unidentified persons. The project will utilize DNA information, dental structure, and other characteristics to identify individuals. The database will be searchable and will initially be accessible only to law enforcement agencies.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) honors forensic anthropologist Fredy Peccerelli for his work with the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, investigating mass human rights abuses and exhuming thousands of victims' remains. Despite facing death threats and impunity, Peccerelli's work has promoted hu...