Calculated Height (cm) Calculated Height (inches) Calculated Height (ft./inches) Ulna 24cm 157.47 62 5' 2" Femur 45cm 167.81 66 5' 6" Fibula 34cm 158.37 62 5' 2" Humerus 32cm 166.84 66 5' 6" Humerus 30cm 157.6 62 5' 2" Radius 24.5cm 167.31 66 5' 6" Femur 41cm 156.97 62 5' 2" Tibia 36.5cm 167.43 66 5' 6" Fibula 39cm 176.32 69 5' 9" Radius 24.5cm 167.31 66 5' 6" Tibia 33.5cm 157.56 62 5' 2" Radius 26.5cm 174.87 69 5' 9" Femur 48cm 175.94 69 5' 9" Humerus 36cm 185.32 73 6' 1"
4
Victim #1 Height = 5’ 2” 5 bones Victim #2 Height = 5’ 6” 5 bones Victim #3 Height = 5’ 9” 3 bones Victim #4 Height = 6’ 1” 1 bone
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QUESTIONS – SKELETAL REMAINS: DETERMINING A VICTIM’S HEIGHT NAME________________________________ 1. On the average, how far off (in inches) were your calculated heights from your actual height?
2. Which of your bone(s) gave you the most accurate estimation of your actual height?
3. Which of your bone(s) gave you the least accurate estimation of your actual height?
4. The formulas that you used for calculating your estimated height are based on measurements from adult bones. How could this affect your calculated height results?
5. Why would knowing the sex of a bone allow you to make a more accurate estimation of the victim’s height?
6. You measure a bone and calculate the height of the victim is 5 feet 11 inches. Why is it correct to say that this is the victim’s Estimated Height?
KEY
ANSWERS WILL VARY – SOME WILL BE VERY CLOSE, WHILE OTHERS WILL VARY GREATLY
ANSWERS WILL VARY
ANSWERS WILL VARY
STUDENTS ARE STILL GROWING, THEREFORE, IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT CALCULATED HEIGHTS WOULD BE INCORRECT AND SHOW MORE VARIATION.
FEMALE BONES ARE TYPICALLY SHORTER THAN MALE BONES. CALCULATIONS WOULD BE MORE ACCURATE IF THE FORMULA IS BASED ON FEMALE BONES ONLY – RATHER THAN USING A FORMULA THAT AVERAGES BOTH MALE AND FEMALE BONE LENGTHS TOGETHER.
THESE FORMULAS ARE BASED ON AVERAGE BONE LENGTHS. SOME PEOPLE MAY BE SOMEWHAT TALLER THAN THE CALCULATED HEIGHT, WHILE OTHERS MAY BE SOMEWHAT SHORTER THAN THE CALCULATED HEIGHT. CALCULATED HEIGHTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE REPORTED AS “ESTIMATED” HEIGHT.
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TRAINING LAB – SKELETAL REMAINS: DETERMINING A VICTIM’S SEX
NAME___________________________________________ Background: Humans look different from each other on the outside – each of us with our own external characteristics. We can easily recognize males and females, and one
individual from another, because we have had years of experience observing these external differences. Forensic Anthropologists have also discovered male and female differences in a part of the body we’re NOT used to observing – the male and female skeletal system. Not only can a victim’s approximate height be determined by skeletal remains, but the sex of the victim can also be determined with a fair degree of accuracy – especially after you have had years of practice.
1. You will be trained to analyze skeletal remains to determine if a victim is a male or a female.
Procedures:
There are several different bones that can help determine if skeletal remains came from a male or female victim. In this Training Lab you will work with the bones that are most commonly used by Forensic Anthropologists for sex determination.
You do NOT have to begin with Part 1 for this Training Lab. If other groups are using the Part 1 skulls you should move on to another section of the lab and come back to Part 1 later.
Part 1 – Using The Skull And Mandible For Sex Determination
1. Your Supervisor has set out skulls for you to observe. You may be asked to observe one or two different numbered skulls (your Supervisor will tell you how many different skulls you should observe).
2. Bring one of the skulls back to your lab station. Please DO NOT point to parts of the skull with your pen or pencil and mark on the skull.
3. Write the number of the skull you are observing in Table 5 – “Sex Determination Of Skeletal Remains - SKULL” (the number can be found on the top of the skull).
4. Carefully observe the characteristics of your skull using Table 1 – “Characteristics of Male and Female Skulls” as your guide (Table 1 can be found on the next page). This Table describes Male and Female characteristics that are generally visible on skulls. Labeled diagrams of Male and Female skulls/mandibles have also been included to assist you. 5. Record each of your skull’s characteristics in Table 5. Record your observation in the “Male” column if you observed a Male characteristic, in the “Female” column if you observed a Female characteristic, and in the “Can’t Determine” column if the observed characteristic seemed to be between Male and Female.
6. Look at all your observations and decide if you have a Male or Female skull (do you have more characteristics recorded in the Male or Female column)? Record your final result in Table 5.
7. Repeat Steps #3 - #6 for a second skull (if supplied by your Supervisor).
8. Check the KEY found in the front of the room to see if your conclusions are correct!
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AREA OF
SKULL MALE FEMALE
Forehead From A Side View - Appears to be sloping backward
From A Side View - Appears to be more straight up and down
Orbit
Shape Usually more square-shaped Usually more round-shaped Upper Edge
Of Orbit More of a rounded, less sharp edge More of a sharp edge Mastoid
Process Larger Smaller
External Occipital
Protuberance Larger Small or missing Mandible
Angle Closer to a 90o Angle Angle much larger than 90o Chin Shape More of a square shape More of a rounded, pointy shape
Table 1 - Characteristics of Male and Female Skulls
More square orbit shape Upper orbit has more of a rounded edge Chin shape is more square More rounded orbit shape Upper orbit has more of a sharp edge
Chin shape is more rounded/pointy Sloping forehead Mastoid process larger External Occipital Protuberance larger
Mandible Angle closer to 900
Straight forehead Mastoid process smaller External Occipital Protuberance small or missing
Mandible Angle much larger
than 900
MALE SKULL/MANDIBLE FEMALE SKULL/MANDIBLE
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Part 2 – Using The Pelvis (Coxal Bones, Sacrum, Coccyx) For Sex Determination
1. The next bone to observe is the Pelvis. You may be asked to observe more than one numbered Pelvis (your Supervisor will tell you how many you should observe).
2. Bring a Pelvis back to your lab station. Please DO NOT point to parts of the Pelvis with your pen or pencil and make marks on the bone.
3. Write the number of the Pelvis you are observing in Table 6 – “Sex Determination Of Skeletal Remains - PELVIS”.
4. Carefully observe the characteristics of your Pelvis using Table 2 – “Characteristics of The Male and Female Pelvis” as your guide (Table 2 can be found below). Labeled diagrams of the Male and Female Pelvis have also been included to assist you.
5. Record each of your Pelvis’s characteristics in Table 6. Record your observation in the “Male” column if you observed a Male characteristic, in the “Female” column if you observed a Female characteristic, and in the “Can’t Determine” column if the observed characteristic seemed to be between Male and Female.
6. Look at all your observations and decide if you have a Male or Female Pelvis (do you have more characteristics recorded in the Male or Female column)? Record your final result in Table 6.
7. Repeat Steps #3 - #6 for a second Pelvis (if supplied by your Supervisor).
8. Check the KEY found in the front of the room to see if your conclusions are correct!
AREA OF
PELVIS MALE FEMALE
Front View Of The
Subpubic Angle Less than a 90
o angle
Like a "V" shape
90o angle or larger angle Like an "L" shape Top View Of The
Pelvic Cavity Shape
The space you see inside is more "heart" shaped and small
The space you see inside is more oval/circular in shape and larger Sacrum Shape
Sacrum is longer and thinner. The Sacrum and coccyx are tilted
toward the inside of the Pelvic Cavity and are easily visible from
a top view.
Sacrum is shorter and wider. The Sacrum and coccyx are tilted backward away from the Pelvic
Cavity and are not very visible from a top view.
Pubic Bone Width (in mm) From The Center Of The Pubis
Symphysis To The Obterator Foramen
(the large hole)
Measure with a ruler (mm). The Pubic Bone Width at this location
is less than 30mm.
Measure with a ruler (mm). The Pubic Bone Width at this location
is greater than 35mm.
**PUBIS SYMPHYSIS** where the two coxal bones meet in the front (ventral)
Table 2 – Characteristics of the Male and Female Pelvis
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IF YOU ONLY HAVE ONE COXAL BONE 1. You can still accurately estimate what the subpubic angle would be (less than or greater than 900).
2. You can still measure the width of the Pubic Bone from the center of the Pubis Symphysis to the Obturator Foramen.
#1 – Subpubic Angle #2 – width
of the Pubic Bone here
Top view of pelvic cavity – space is small and “heart”
shaped Sacrum is tilted
inward with coccyx pointing
into the space
Top view of pelvic cavity – space is large and oval or circular shaped Sacrum is tilted
backward with coccyx barely pointing into the
space MALE PELVIS Sacrum longer and thinner Front view of subpubic angle is less than 900 “V-shaped”
Measure the width of the pubic bone here (in mm). If it is less than 30mm = Male, greater than 35mm = Female FEMALE PELVIS Front view of subpubic angle is greater than 900 “L-shaped” Sacrum shorter and wider
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Part 3 – Using The Humerus For Sex Determination
1. The next bone to observe is the Humerus. You may be asked to observe more than one numbered Humerus (your Supervisor will tell you how many you should observe). 2. Bring a Humerus back to your lab station. Please DO NOT point to parts of the Humerus with your pen or pencil and make marks on the bone.
3. Write the number of the Humerus you are observing in Table 7 – “Sex Determination Of Skeletal Remains - HUMERUS”.
4. Carefully observe the characteristics of your Humerus using Table 3 – “Characteristics of the Male and Female Humerus” as your guide (Table 3 can be found below). You will be taking measurements of the Humerus (in millimeters) to determine sex. You can either place a millimeter ruler behind the Humerus when taking measurements, or you can use a caliper (for a more accurate measurement) if one is available.
5. Record each of your Humerus’s characteristics in Table 7. Record your observation in the “Male” column if you observed a Male characteristic, in the “Female” column if you observed a Female characteristic, and in the “Can’t Determine” column if the observed characteristic seemed to be between Male and Female.
6. Look at all your observations and decide if you have a Male or Female Humerus (do you have more characteristics recorded in the Male or Female column)? Record your final result in Table 7.
7. Repeat Steps #3 - #6 for a second Humerus (if supplied by your Supervisor). 8. Check the KEY found in the front of the room to see if your conclusions are correct!
Width Between Epicondyles Transverse Vertical Diameter of Head MEASUREMENTS
OF THE HUMERUS MALE
COULD BE MALE OR FEMALE FEMALE Transverse Diameter Of The Head greater than 47 mm 43 to 47 mm less than 43 mm Vertical Diameter
Of The Head closer to 48.8 mm 45.8 mm closer to 42.7 mm Width Between
Epicondyles closer to 63.9 mm 60.4 mm closer to 56.8 mm Total Length Of The
Humerus closer to 339.0 mm 322.5 mm closer to 305.9 mm
Table 3 – Characteristics of the Male and Female Humerus
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Part 4 – Using The Femur For Sex Determination
1. The next bone to observe is the Femur. You may be asked to observe more than one numbered Femur (your Supervisor will tell you how many you should observe). 2. Bring a Femur back to your lab station. Please DO NOT point to parts of the Femur with your pen or pencil and make marks on the bone.
3. Write the number of the Femur you are observing in Table 8 – “Sex Determination Of Skeletal Remains - FEMUR”.
4. Carefully observe the characteristics of your Femur using Table 4 – “Characteristics of the Male and Female Femur” as your guide (Table 4 can be found below). You will be taking measurements of the Femur (in millimeters) to determine sex. You can either place a millimeter ruler behind the Femur when taking measurements, or you can use a caliper (for a more accurate measurement) if one is available.
5. Record each of your Femur’s characteristics in Table 8. Record your observation in the “Male” column if you observed a Male characteristic, in the “Female” column if you observed a Female characteristic, and in the “Can’t Determine” column if the observed characteristic seemed to be between Male and Female.
6. Look at all your observations and decide if you have a Male or Female Femur (do you have more characteristics recorded in the Male or Female column)? Record your final result in Table 8.
7. Repeat Steps #3 - #6 for a second Femur (if supplied by your Supervisor).
8. Check the KEY found in the front of the room to see if your conclusions are correct!
Dorsal View Of The Femur
Vertical Diameter Of
Head Bicondylar
Width
Trochanter Length Of Femur
MEASUREMENTS
OF THE FEMUR MALE
COULD BE MALE OR FEMALE FEMALE Vertical Diameter Of The Head greater than 46.5 mm 43.5 to 46.5 mm less than 43.5 mm Bicondylar Width greater than76 mm 74 to 76 mm less than74 mm Trochanter Length Of The Femur greater than 430 mm 405 to 430 mm less than 405 mm
Table 4 – Characteristics of the Male and Female Femur
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Table 5 – Sex determination of skeletal remains - SKULL NAME_______________________
Skull # ________ MALE FEMALE CAN'T DETERMINE
Forehead Shape Orbit Shape Upper Edge Of Orbit Mastoid Process External Occiptial Protuburance Mandible Angle Chin Shape Final Conclusion - Male or Female?
Characteristics That Were Observed
Skull # ________ MALE FEMALE CAN'T DETERMINE
Forehead Shape Orbit Shape Upper Edge Of Orbit Mastoid Process External Occiptial Protuburance Mandible Angle Chin Shape Final Conclusion -
Characteristics That Were Observed
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Table 6 – Sex determination of skeletal remains - PELVIS
Pelvis # ________ MALE FEMALE CAN'T DETERMINE Front View Of
Subpubic Angle Top View Of The Pelvic Cavity Shape
Sacrum Shape Pubic Bone Width
Between Pubis Symphysis and Obterator Foramen (in mm) Final Conclusion - Male or Female?
Characteristics That Were Observed
Pelvis # ________ MALE FEMALE CAN'T DETERMINE Front View Of
Subpubic Angle Top View Of The Pelvic Cavity Shape
Sacrum Shape Pubic Bone Width
Between Pubis Symphysis and Obterator Foramen (in mm) Final Conclusion - Male or Female?
Characteristics That Were Observed
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Table 7 – Sex determination of skeletal remains - HUMERUS
Humerus # ________ MALE FEMALE CAN'T DETERMINE Transverse Diameter Of The Head (mm) Vertical Diameter Of The Head (mm) Width Between Epicondyles (mm) Total Length Of The Humerus (mm) Final Conclusion - Male
or Female?
Characteristics That Were Observed
Humerus # ________ MALE FEMALE CAN'T DETERMINE Transverse Diameter Of The Head (mm) Vertical Diameter Of The Head (mm) Width Between Epicondyles (mm) Total Length Of The Humerus (mm) Final Conclusion - Male
or Female?
Characteristics That Were Observed
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Table 8 – Sex determination of skeletal remains – FEMUR
Femur # ________ MALE FEMALE CAN'T DETERMINE Vertical Diameter Of The Head (mm) Bicondylar Width (mm) Trochanter Length Of The Femur (mm) Final Conclusion - Male
or Female?
Characteristics That Were Observed
Femur # ________ MALE FEMALE CAN'T DETERMINE Vertical Diameter Of The Head (mm) Bicondylar Width (mm) Trochanter Length Of The Femur (mm) Final Conclusion - Male
or Female?
Characteristics That Were Observed
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QUESTIONS – SKELETAL REMAINS: DETERMINING A VICTIM’S SEX NAME________________________________ 1. An old airplane crash site was recently discovered in the mountains of Wyoming. The wreckage has been identified as a small plane that was reported missing three years ago. It was known that the pilot of the plane was a MALE, however, it was believed that a FEMALE passenger may have also been in the plane when it disappeared. This fact was never confirmed and no missing females were ever reported. A search of the crash site was just completed and THREE human bones were found – the only evidence that still remains. The THREE human bones (Evidence # 21, #22, and #23) from the crash site are available for you to observe and analyze (your Supervisor will tell you where they are located). Determine if the skeletal remains belong to a male, a female, or both. Record your data and conclusions in the Report Form below.
Tests Completed Test Data Collected Conclusions Of Tests Type Of Bone _____________________________ EVIDENCE # 21 Tests Completed Test Data Collected Conclusions Of Tests Type Of Bone _____________________________
FINAL CONCLUSIONS – SEX DETERMINATION OF SKELETAL REMAINS: I believe that Evidence #21 came from a ______________________.
I believe that Evidence #22 came from a ______________________. I believe that Evidence #23 came from a ______________________.
2. Which bone do you think is the most difficult to use when determining if a victim was a male or female? Explain why you think this bone is difficult to use.
3. Which bone do you think is the easiest to use when determining if a victim was a male or female? Explain why you think this bone is easy to use.
4. Why do you think a male’s pelvis and female’s pelvis are so different from each other?
Tests Completed Test Data Collected Conclusions Of Tests Type Of Bone _____________________________ EVIDENCE # 23
Write a conclusion statement concerning the victim’s that were likely in the plane when it crashed: