Forensic Anthropology Glossary

Occurring before death. In skeletal analysis, antemortem injuries show evidence of healing or biological response.

The ear-shaped articular surface on the ilium where the sacrum joins the pelvis. Degenerative changes to this surface are used for adult age estimation.

A composite skeletal assessment including estimates of age at death, sex, stature, and ancestry used to help identify unknown remains.

Injury to bone caused by impact with a broad, relatively low-velocity object, producing depressed fractures, radiating fractures, and concentric fractures.

The mixing of skeletal elements from two or more individuals, requiring careful sorting through visual pair-matching, osteometric analysis, and sometimes DNA testing.

The dense outer layer of bone that provides structural strength. Its thickness and microstructure can be assessed histologically for age estimation.

Fibrous joints between the bones of the skull that progressively fuse with age. Their degree of closure has been used, with limited reliability, for age estimation.

The biological and chemical breakdown of soft tissues after death, progressing through stages from fresh to skeletonized. Rate is influenced by temperature, moisture, and access by insects.

The rounded end of a long bone, initially separated from the shaft (diaphysis) by a growth plate. The timing of epiphyseal fusion is a key indicator for subadult age estimation.

A computer program using discriminant function analysis of skeletal measurements to classify unknown remains by ancestry and sex based on reference population data.

A technique that approximates the facial appearance of an unidentified person from their skull, using tissue-depth markers and knowledge of facial anatomy.

The application of dental science to legal investigations, including identification through dental records, bite mark analysis, and age estimation from dental development.

A notch on the posterior ilium whose width is sexually dimorphic: wider in females and narrower in males. It is one of the key pelvic features used in sex estimation.

The microscopic analysis of bone thin-sections to count osteon density and other features for age estimation. Useful when macroscopic aging landmarks are unavailable.

The measurement of stable isotope ratios (strontium, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen) in bone and dental enamel to infer geographic origin, migration patterns, and diet.

The smallest number of individuals that can account for all elements present in a commingled skeletal assemblage, determined by the most frequently repeated element.

The scientific study of bones, encompassing their anatomy, development, variation, and pathology. The core science underlying forensic anthropological practice.

The use of bone measurements and statistical methods to separate commingled skeletal elements into individual skeletons based on size and proportional relationships.

Occurring at or around the time of death. Perimortem skeletal injuries show characteristics of fresh-bone fracture without evidence of healing.

The estimated time elapsed since death, assessed through taphonomic indicators, decomposition stage, and environmental factors.

The joint at the anterior midline of the pelvis whose surface morphology changes predictably with age. The Suchey-Brooks method uses these changes to estimate adult age at death.

Systematic morphological differences between males and females in the skeleton, most pronounced in the pelvis and skull.

Skeletal injury produced by edged or pointed instruments, identifiable by cut marks, kerf walls, and linear striations that can indicate the class of tool used.

The calculation of living height from long bone measurements using population-specific regression equations, most reliably from the femur and tibia.

The study of postmortem processes affecting biological remains, including decomposition, scavenging, weathering, erosion, and diagenesis.