Forensic Anthropology Research Research Articles

The Impact of Daubert: Implications for Testimony and Research in Forensic Anthropology (and the Use of Frontal Sinuses in Personal Identification)

This paper emphasizes the need for objectivity and standardized methodologies in the forensic sciences, particularly physical anthropology. To this end, a review of important events in scientific evidence admissibility law, particularly the standards set in the case of Daubert v. Merrell-Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1993, is presented. The method of confirming a putative identification by visual comparison of antemortem and postmortem frontal sinus radiographs is examined in light of current admissibility standards. The technique is revealed to have a number of shortcomings, including a lack of empirical testing, no estimates of potential error rates, no standards controlling the technique's operation, and no objective determination standards. These shortcomings may, in some instances, prevent resulting conclusions from being admissible evidence. It is suggested that some methods (including frontal sinus comparison) may require more rigorous testing in order to meet these new and stricter standards.

Expert Testimony and Positive Identification of Human Remains Through Cranial Suture Patterns

North American forensic anthropological research should conform to the Daubert criteria (U.S.A.) and Mohan ruling (Canada) to ensure admissibility in a court of law. Positive identification through radiographic comparison of antemortem and postmortem cranial suture patterns was evaluated in light of these criteria. The technique is based on reliable principles, but problems with terminology and the resolution of radiographs make Sekharan's method difficult to apply. Using the location, length, and slope of a suture's component lines, rather than Sekharan's descriptions of sutural configurations, it is possible to determine the probability of a particular suture pattern occurring in more than one individual. A match of four consecutive lines is sufficient to establish positive identification. This approach meets the Daubert and Mohan criteria, although resolution of radiographs is still a major limitation. Computed tomography (CT) scans may prove a more useful modality for positive identification, due to better resolution and greater availability.

Detecting Buried Bodies using Near-Surface Geophysical Instruments

Remote sensing instruments have increasingly been applied to assist police locate buried murder victims, particularly during the last ten years. For the forensic investigator it is still a problem to identify the exact location of buried human skeletal remains within a large targeted search area. This presentation describes unique Australian research in forensic anthropology that is currently examining the application and effectiveness of geophysical instruments for the detection of buried skeletal remains. Three aspects of the research are covered in this discussion: a national survey of Australian police jurisdictions conducted to establish how clandestine graves are located and the extent of the application of geophysical instruments in forensic case situations; the controlled experimental gravesites used to test the effectiveness of selected geophysical instruments representative of forensic case scenarios; and a situation in which resistivity was successfully applied to the detection of a 150 year old burial. The national survey of police investigation section reveals that no reported locations of bodies have used geophysical instruments. This research will have significant impact on being able to provide data on reliable techniques for criminal investigations. The experimental gravesites contain kangaroos, pigs and cadavers, and on the animal graves, ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic induction have presented positive results in locating the burials. This is the only known international research in this field that involves the burial of cadavers and presents a unique opportunity to establish a base of working field knowledge.

Legal and ethical considerations of forensic anthropological research.

In the UK, Forensic Anthropology is maturing rapidly, consequently demanding discussion of previously overlooked yet fundamental principles of this discipline. UK law and ethics are interpreted from a forensic anthropological standpoint. First, the influence of UK law and ethics on the stages of forensic anthropological research (the collection, analysis and storage of human remains) are discussed. Existing ethical codes of conduct are investigated for their relevance to researching forensic anthropologists. It is concluded that: when appropriately interpreted, UK law and ethics are extremely influential on forensic anthropological research; debate within this area is required; and that an understanding of the law and ethical thought is vital for the successful growth of forensic anthropology in the UK.

Forensic anthropology and the concept of race: If races don't exist, why are forensic anthropologists so good at identifying them?

Most anthropologists have abandoned the concept of race as a research tool and as a valid representation of human biological diversity. Yet, race identification continues to be one of the central foci of forensic anthropological casework and research. It is maintained in this paper that the successful assignment of race to a skeletal specimen is not a vindication of the race concept, but rather a prediction that an individual, while alive was assigned to a particular socially constructed ‘racial’ category. A specimen may display features that point to African ancestry. In this country that person is likely to have been labeled Black regardless of whether or not such a race actually exists in nature.

A Review of “Methoden der Geschlechts-, Körperlängen- und Lebensalterbestimmung von Skeletfunden”

Abstract This paperback volume will be of interest to those engaged in forensic anthropology or osteological research who can read at least some German. As the title states, it deals with the determination of sex, stature, and age from skeletal findings, and it is limited to these topics in skeletal identification. Basically, it is quite a useful compilation of references to the various methods that have been described for making such estimates and determinations, with brief descriptions of most of the methods cited. It is much more than a simple annotated bibliography, but could not be used as a handbook. The selection and arrangement of the references cited make them quite accessible in this new reference work.