The following text is adapted from a case report I prepared as a class assignment in graduate school.  Normally, several appendices follow the text.  Line drawings, photographs, inventory notes, and ForDisc analyses are normally attached.  In this case, I chose not to post these materials.  Samples of these materials are available in class or through the Library (reserve) section.

To:         William  Bass, Ph.D.  State Forensic Anthropologist

From:     A. Garwin, B.A. Graduate Student in Forensic Anthropology

Re:         The Examination of human remains referred to as Case  ##- ##.

Date:      8  October  199#

Introduction:

            On the 1st day of October 199# at approximately 10:45 a.m., Dr. William Bass presented human skeletal remains to the forensic Anthropology class.  The remains were comprised of both os coxae, right femur, right tibia and fibula, right radius, left tibia and fibula, left humerus, left scapula, and a left clavicle (see Figures 1 and 2).  Also, a radiograph was given to the class which includes the right tibia and fibula, the left tibia, the right radius, and the 4th lumbar vertebrae.  The class was given the instructions to estimate the individual’s sex, age, ancestry, and note and record evidence of trauma.

            No information about the recovery or subsequent care of the material was given to the class.

Condition of Remains:

            All significant observations related to the bony material itself are limited to this section.  The bones exhibit a slight acrid odor, and are slightly greasy to the touch.  Pupa cases can be seen in a foramen found within the suprascapular fossa of the left scapula; also in the pubic symphyseal ridges of the right os coxa.  No plant materials, soils, or soil staining are immediately apparent, although the left os coxa demonstrates a substantially lighter color than the rest of the postcranial skeletal remains.

Summary:

            Sex:                Female

            Age:                20-25

            Ancestry:       Caucasian Ancestry

            Trauma:         Ante-mortem trauma: no post-mortem or perimortem trauma is readily apparent.

Sex:

            Based on an examination of gross morphology of the innominate, the following female features are listed: obtuse sciatic notch, the presence of a ventral arc on the pubis, obtuse subpubic angle, and a small acetabulum (Bass, 1995 and White, 1991).

            Measurements taken from the right scapula according to standard data collection procedures (Moore-Jansen et al 1994; Bass 1995), including a scapular height of 151 mm and a scapular breadth of 91 mm which gives scapular index of 60.26 which falls into the female range (Bass 1995 after Hrdlicka, 1942).  These two measurements were analyzed in the computer software program ForDisc 2.0 (Jantz and Ousley, 1996) and also indicate that the remains are those of a female (see Table 1).  The length of the glenoid cavity of this scapula is 34 mm which falls into the category of “sex indeterminate” (Bass 1995).

            The presence of a large supra-condyloid foramen on the humerus occurs 3.7 times more frequently in females than males (Bass, 1995 after Trotter, 1934), thus the presence of this feature may also indicate that the remains are those of a female.

            Postcranial measurements of the left scapula, left humerus, right radius, left innominate (os coxa), and right femur were taken in accordance with standard data collection techniques (Moore-Jansen et al, 1994) and analyzed in the computer software program ForDisc 2.0 (Jantz and Ousley, 1996).  This analysis indicates that the remains are those of a female (see Table 2).  

Age:  

            Age assessment is based on several criteria.  Estimation of this individual’s age is 20-25. An assessment of the auricular surface of the os coxae indicates that a non-granular surface, lack of macroporosity, some billowing, lack of striations, a sharp apex, a very smooth retroauricular area, gives an age “until the mid-twenties” (Lovejoy et al., 1985).

            An assessment of the os pubis, according to the method given by Bass (1995, after Krogman 1962), is assigned as Type III.  Type III is associated with the age range of 22-24.  The assessment according to the methodology of Gilbert and McKern (1973) gives a total score of 3 for an age of 18-25. 

            The state of the epiphyseal union in the os coxae, especially the epiphyses of the ischium gives an age range of 17-25 (Brothwell, 1981). 

             The vertebral border of the left scapula appears to be in the process of fusing.  An assessment using the methodology of Terry and Trotter (Bass, 1995 after Terry and Trotter, 1953) gives the age as 25.  The glenoid fossa lacks lipping on the border, which according to Graves (1922) limits the remains to less than 30 years.

            The medial surface of the left clavicle is in the process of fusing, which, according to McKern and Stewart (Bass, 1995 after McKern and Stewart, 1957), this fusion occurs prior to age 24.

            In conclusion, the youngest age is 17 and the oldest age is less than 30.  However, the majority of the age ranges fall into a narrower age range of 20-25.

Ancestry:

            Measurements taken from the right scapula according to standard data collection procedures (Moore-Jansen et al 1994; Bass 1995), include a scapular height at 151 mm and a scapular breadth of 91 mm which gives scapular index of 60.26, well within the Caucasoid range (Bass, 1995 after Hrdlicka, 1942).  Scapular height and breadth were analyzed in the computer software program ForDisc 2.0 (Jantz and Ousley, 1996) indicate that the remains are those of a Caucasoid. 

            Pelvic measurements are also somewhat smaller than those found in those of Negroid ancestry, which also adds evidence of Caucasoid ancestry (Isçan, 1983).

 Evidence of Ante-mortem Trauma:

            The right os coxa exhibits a very rugose acetabulum; that is, the lunate surface exhibits a grainy texture, while the acetabular fossa or notch shows a very rugose surface where the ligamentum teres attaches.  A small vertical irregularity in the superior border of the acetabulum is apparent; this irregularity is not inconsistent with a fracture scar or restructuring due to dislocation trauma.  This irregularity measures approximately 5 millimeters (mm).  The iliopectineal (or iliopubic) eminence appears considerably thickened, and measurements between this os coxa and the left os coxa show some thickening has indeed occurred.  The epiphyseal union of the iliac crest is almost complete; however, the epiphyseal line is clearly visible, and approximately 20 mm remains incompletely fused on the posterior border.  Further, approximately 40 mm of the epiphyseal union of the ischiopubic (inferior pubic) ramus remains incomplete.

            The left os coxa appears normal, although rugose areas are notable on the ischial spine.  Also, the fusion of the epiphyseal plate with the iliac crest appears complete although the epiphysis is visible.  The epiphyseal union of the ischiopubic ramus remains incomplete, and the epiphysis appears broken under magnification, although this almost certainly occurred post-mortem.

            The right femur appears normal, although the linea aspera is very rugose.  The medial surface of greater trochanter appears rugose; the insertion sites for the gluteus minimus and gluteus medius muscles are very obvious.  The lesser trochanter also appears rugose; the insertion sites for the psoas major muscle and the iliacus muscle are obvious.  No fracture trauma is readily apparent on the femur. 

            The proximal end of the left tibia appears normal.  The distal end, however, shows evidence of ante-mortem trauma.  Healed fractures, approximately 100 mm above the most medial aspect of the medial malleolus are easily observed.  Anterior and posterior restructuring are most notable on the lateral area surrounding the fibular notch.  The pattern of the fracture scarring and subsequent traumatic arthritis is not inconsistent with a Type I medial malleolus vertical fracture with displacement (Meyers, 1984).  Displacement in this case seems to be in an anteromedial direction.  Arthritis and medial and lateral osteophytes are advanced on this tibia. 

            The left fibula appears slightly bowed; that is, the anterior and distal aspect of the bone projects slightly forward, but this appears to be within the range of normal human variation.  No fractures are immediately apparent, and no radiographs of this bone were provided.

            The proximal end of the right tibia appears normal.  The tibia and fibula, on the lateral end, have conjoined.  These bones also exhibit clear evidence of healed fractures.  The pattern of the fracture scarring and subsequent traumatic arthritis is not inconsistent with a Type I medial malleolus vertical fracture with displacement which occurred approximately 85 mm from the border of the medial malleolus.  The tibia also has a stainless steel Steinmann pin.  Located approximately 25 mm from the tibial plafond, it enters the anterior aspect of the tibia.  Seen from a posterior perspective, the pin exits the tibia at approximately 45 mm from the tibial plafond.  The anterior view of the pin appears to have been cut due to the “pinched” nature of the metal.  The posterior aspect of the pin demonstrates some flattening of the metal which, seen microscopically, is lightly scored and scratched.  

            The right fibula is notable because a one-third tubular plate has been applied as a neutralization plate.  The tubular plate (serial number 241-##) is located on the right lateral fibula.  The tubular plate bears a hallmark or a trademark which, when viewed under a microscope, shows a stylized vertebral column including the pelvic girdle and femora.  The most proximal border of the tubular plate is covered by osteophytic overgrowth, thus obscuring any other markings.  The plate is approximately 108 mm long, and 6 screws join the plate to the fibula.  The fracture on the fibula is located approximately 100 mm above the lateral malleolus.

            The left clavicle also exhibits a healed fracture.  The clavicle is considerably shortened due to the nature of the fracture.  The shaft broke approximately in the middle and the two halves fused forming a 27 mm callous.  The sternal end of the clavicle rotated less than 20 degrees clockwise before union.  The presence of a well-formed conoid tubercle on the inferior and posterior lateral border clearly indicates that the left acromial extremity did not rotate.  The sternal epiphysis is present, and some epiphyseal union has occurred.

            The right radius exhibits some deformation and torsion in connection with a healed fracture.  Some arthritic growth is notable on the distal end.  No evidence of surgical intervention is discernable.  The fracture scar is located approximately 40 mm above the ulnar notch. 

            The left scapula exhibits a very prominent clavicular surface; that is, the surface is comparatively large, smooth, and shows some lipping.  A deep scapular notch is notable.  The epiphysis of the vertebral border appears to be in the process of forming; the border feels unusually sharp and no epiphyseal lines are immediately apparent.  Under microscopic examination, the border appears to have a matte surface and is not smooth and rounded, as is a fully fused vertebral border.

            The left humerus appears normal.  There is a slight degree of torsion on the distal end of the humerus, but this appears to be well within the range of normal human variation.  The humerus displays a large sepal aperture (or a supra-condyloid foramen).  The radiograph of 4th lumbar vertebrae appears normal. 

Conclusion:

            The remains in this case were those of a CAUCASOID FEMALE AGED 20-25.  No discernable peri- or postmortem trauma is noted. 

___________________________________

A. Garwin, B.A. Student in Forensic Anthropology

Works Cited

Bass, W.M

1995    Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual, 4th ed.  Missouri Archaeology Society: Columbia.

Brothwell, D.R.

1981    Digging Up Bones: The Excavation, Treatment, and Study of Human Skeletal Remains.  Cornwell University Press, Ithaca, New York:64-72.

Graves, W.W

1922    Observations on Age Changes in the Scapula: A Preliminary Note.  American Journal of Physical Anthropology.  5:21-23.

Gilbert, B.N.and T.W. McKern

1973    A Method for Aging the Female Os Pubis.  American Journal of Physical Anthropology.  38:31-38.

Isçan, M.Y.

1983    Assessment of Race From the Pelvis. American Journal of Physical Anthropology.  62:205-208.

Lovejoy, C.O., Meindel, R.S., Pryzbeck, T.R. and R.P. Mensforth

1985    Chronological Metamorphosis of the Auricular Surface of the Ilium: A New Method for the Determination of Adult Skeletal Age at Death. American Journal of Physical Anthropology.  68:15-28.

Meyers, M.H.

1984    The Multiply Injured Patient with Complex Fractures.  Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, PA: 140-142, 291-309.

Moore-Jansen, P.H, Ousley, S.D., and R.L. Jantz

1994    Data Collection Procedures for Forensic Skeletal Material, 3rd ed.  Forensic Anthropology Center, Department of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  Report of Investigations No. 48. 

Jantz, R.L and S.D. Ousley

1996    FORDISC 2.0  [computer program]. Windows Version.  Knoxville (TN): The University of Tennessee.

White, T.D.

1991    Human Osteology.  Academic Press: San Diego.

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