The Mystery of the Bones
Objectives:
1. Understand what a forensic anthropologist does
2. Reconstruct 4 "unknown" skeletons
3. Determine the age, sex, height of the "unknowns"
4. Investigate forensic art and its application in finding missing persons
5. Determine the identities of the 4 "unknowns"
STEP 1 - BACKGROUND
As a group, visit the following sites to gain an understanding of forensic anthropology and what bones (or remains) can tell you about the deceased.
Let Evidence Reveal the Truth
Go to link marked "Identity", then to Facial Reconstruction and Forensic Anthropology
Questions:
1. How are facial reconstructions made using a skull? What are the limitations of these reconstructions? What materials are used?
2. How can bones be used to determine age?
3. How are three points on a skeleton are used to determine gender?
4. What bone is commonly used to determine height?
Forensic Anthropology
1. What is forensic anthropology?
2. What is forensic botany and forensic entomology?
3. What information about the deceased can be found by studying the bones?
4. What differences can be found among racial groups?
Investigative Techniques of Forensic Anthropology
Mouse over the skeleton to answer these...
1. What can the teeth tell you about the deceased?
2. How can the skull be used to determine age?
3. How is the pelvis of a female different from the pelvis of a male?
4. The hand bones can help you determine what about the deceased?
Forensic Anthropology
1. View the bones for determining sex. Describe the shape of a female pelvis.
2. Compare the femur bones of males and females, how do they differ?
3. Compare the skull bones of individuals from different races, how do they differ?
Facial Reconstruction
View the steps involved in creating a sculpture of the deceased.
1. What is a tissue depth marker?
2. Why is determining the shape of the nose and ears difficult for a sculptor?
3. How can a person's teeth affect their facial characteristics?
Step 2 - THE CASE (follow the link to the scene)
The Scene
