Scene Recovery and Taphonomy
What is forensic anthropology?
The use of archaeological methods to recover and document evidence/remains in medicolegal cases.
What is trauma?
Physical disruption of living tissue by outside forces.
What is high velocity projectile trauma?
Trauma caused by a rapid force over a small surface area, usually from bullets or shrapnel.
What is blunt force trauma?
Trauma from a low-velocity impact over a large surface area.
What is a skeletal survey?
A full-body set of X-rays used to look for fractures or skeletal injuries, especially in child abuse investigations.
What is the difference between a surface scatter and a burial?
Surface scatter means remains are on top of the ground and may be dispersed; burial means remains are underground and usually more contained.
What is the yield point?
The point where bone stops deforming elastically and begins permanent/plastic deformation.
What is internal beveling usually associated with?
An entrance wound in the skull.
What is patterned trauma?
Trauma where the shape or pattern of the object is visible on the injured tissue or bone.
Name one red flag for non-accidental trauma in children.
Multiple fractures in different stages of healing, fractures inconsistent with the caretaker’s story, metaphyseal fractures, or long bone fractures in non-ambulatory children.
What is algor mortis?
The cooling of the body after death.
What is the difference between elastic and plastic deformation?
Elastic deformation is temporary; plastic deformation is permanent.
What is external beveling usually associated with?
An exit wound in the skull.
What are radiating fractures?
Fractures that spread outward from the point of impact.
Why is dental identification useful?
Teeth are durable and dental records can be compared between antemortem and postmortem evidence.
What are accumulated degree days used for?
Estimating time since death by adding up heat exposure over time.
What are the three trauma timing categories?
Antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem.
What is a keyhole defect?
A projectile wound with both entrance and exit features, usually caused by a bullet striking at a shallow angle.
What is sharp force trauma?
Trauma from a low-velocity force over a small surface area, usually from a sharp tool or weapon.
What is a mass fatality?
An event where more deaths occur than local resources can handle.
What is Total Body Score used for?
Estimating PMI by scoring decomposition changes in different body regions.
How can you tell antemortem trauma from perimortem trauma?
Antemortem trauma shows healing; perimortem trauma happens around death and usually has fresh/wet bone fracture characteristics.
Can caliber be determined exactly from defect size in bone?
No, defect size can be influenced by many factors, so caliber cannot be determined exactly from bone defect size alone.
What is pugilistic pose?
A heat-related body position caused by muscle contraction during burning, where arms and legs flex.
Name the 5 major operations of a mass fatality response.
Search and recovery, examination of remains, gathering antemortem information, identification of decedents, and issuing death certificates/releasing remains.