Research Problem

Commingled human skeletal remains pose significant problems for the physical anthropologist. In the repatriation process, the return of Native American remains to tribes, it is important to identify and group all of the bones from each individual set of skeletal remains. Other applications include forensic (criminal) cases and mass burials characteristic of ethnic cleansing.

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Hypothesis and Objectives

Mathematical identification of proportional relationships provides an additional and non-invasive tool for reassociating commingled human skeletal elements.

Using allometry, the proportional relationships between body parts, we may be able to predict the expected dimensions of specific bones in the human body.

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Methods

Metatarsals and metacarpals from a sample of 95 individuals in the Terry Collection were measured.

Maximum bone length was measured to the nearest 0.01 mm using a specially fitted sliding caliper.

The measurements were compared to each other and to long bone measurements from the same individuals using cluster analysis of the correlations among all bones.

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Results

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Student Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Analyze the data, create graphs and tables that compare/contrast specific bones, and write descriptive statements.
  
• Research forensic anthropology and write descriptive reports on the practical implications of the data.
  
• Draw bones of the hands and feet and label articulations.
  
• Discuss normal and abnormal bone and joint anatomy.
  

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ENTOMOLOGY

Sarah Garrett
"An Inventory of Leafroller Species of Moths of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park"

Abstract / Summary

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