Forensic Anthropology Laboratory Manual

This manual provides students in academic laboratory courses with hands-on experience of the major processes of forensic anthropology. Designed to accompany the textbook Introduction to Forensic Anthropology, the manual introduces core procedures and protocol, with exercise worksheets to reinforce the methodologies of forensic anthropology and enhance student comprehension. For the fourth edition, the manual has been updated in line with the textbook, incorporating new methods, figures, and worksheets. Each chapter contains explanations of the terminology, osteological features, and measurements needed to understand each of the topics. Chapters may be covered in one session or multiple sessions and include lists of both basic and optional lab materials, enabling instructors to tailor each lab to the resources they have available.

Table of Contents:
Preface Note to Instructors Note to Students 1 Introduction Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 1.1: Basic Instruments and Their Use Exercise 1.2: Metric System and U.S. Measure Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 2 Basics of Human Osteology and Odontology Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Basic Terms Exercise 2.1: Cranial Skeleton Exercise 2.2: Axial Skeleton Exercise 2.3: Appendicular Skeleton: Upper Limbs Exercise 2.4: Appendicular Skeleton: Lower Limbs Exercise 2.5: Human Odontology Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 3 Establishing Medicolegal Significance Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Bone and Teeth Versus Other Material Exercise Minimum Materials HUMAN VERSUS NONHUMAN EXERCISE Minimum Materials Optional Materials CONTEMPORARY VERSUS NONCONTEMPORARY EXERCISE Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 3.1: Distinguishing Bone and Teeth From Other Material Exercise 3.2: Distinguishing Human from Nonhuman Remains Exercise 3.3: Distinguishing Contemporary from Noncontemporary Remains Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 4 Recovery Scene Methods Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 4.1: Surface-Deposited Body (Outdoor or Indoor) Exercise 4.2: Interred Body (Outdoor) Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 5 Estimating Postmortem Interval Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 5.1: Estimating PMI Using General Decomposition Exercise 5.2: Estimating PMI Using TADS and ADD Exercise 5.3: Estimating PMI Using Animal Scavenging Exercise 5.4: Estimating PMI Using Deterioration of Clothing and Other Materials Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 6 Initial Treatment and Examination Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 6.1: Reconstruction Exercise 6.2: Sorting Exercise 6.3: Reassembly Exercise 6.4: Inventorying Remains Exercise 6.5: Highly Fragmented Remains Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 7 Attribution of Ancestry Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 7.1: Attributing Ancestry Using Cranial Anthroposcopy Exercise 7.2: Attributing Ancestry Using Frequencies of Cranial Anthroposcopic Traits Exercise 7.3: Attributing Ancestry Using Cranial Metrics: Interorbital Indexes Exercise 7.4: Attributing Ancestry Using Cranial Metrics: Discriminant Functions Exercise 7.5: Attributing Ancestry Using Postcranial Anthroposcopy and Osteometry Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 8 Attribution of Sex Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 8.1: Attributing Sex Using Pelvic Anthroposcopy Exercise 8.2: Attributing Sex Using Pelvic Metrics: Ischium–Pubic Index Exercise 8.3: Attributing Sex Using Cranial Anthroposcopy Exercise 8.4: Attributing Sex Using Cranial Metrics: Discriminant Functions Exercise 8.5: Attributing Sex Using Postcranial Metrics Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 9 Estimation of Age at Death Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials SUBADULTS Exercise 9.1: Estimating Age at Death (Subadults) Using Long Limb Bone Measurements Exercise 9.2: Estimating Age at Death (Subadults) Using Union of Primary Ossification Centers Exercise 9.3: Estimating Age at Death (Subadults) Using Tooth Formation and Eruption Exercise 9.4: Estimating Age at Death (Subadults) Using Epiphyseal Union ADULTS Exercise 9.5: Estimating Age at Death (Adults) Using Symphyseal Surface Exercise 9.6: Estimating Age at Death (Adults) Using Auricular Surface of the Os Coxae Exercise 9.7: Estimating Age at Death (Adults) Using Sternal Rib Ends Exercise 9.8: Estimating Age at Death (Adults) Using Cranial Suture Closure Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 10 Calculation of Stature Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 10.1: Calculating Stature Using Long Limb Bones Exercise 10.2: Calculating Stature Using the Fully Method Exercise 10.3: Calculating Stature from Fleshed Body Segments Exercise 10.4: Calculating Stature Using Partial Long Limb Bones Exercise 10.5: Adjustments to Stature Calculations Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 11 Death, Trauma, and the Skeleton Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 11.1: Basics of Bone Trauma Exercise 11.2: Forces Causing Trauma Exercise 11.3: Types of Trauma Exercise 11.4: Timing of Bone Injury Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 12 Projectile Trauma Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 12.1: Analysis of Projectile Wounds Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 13 Blunt Trauma Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 13.1: Analyzing Blunt Trauma to the Skull Exercises 13.2A and 13.2B: Analyzing Blunt Trauma to the Postcranial Bones Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 14 Sharp and Miscellaneous Trauma Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 14.1: Analyzing Sharp Trauma Exercise 14.2: Analyzing Strangulation Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 15 Antemortem Skeletal Conditions Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 15.1: Analyzing Pathological Conditions Exercise 15.2: Analyzing Skeletal Anomalies Exercise 15.3: Analyzing Occupational Stress Markers Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 16 Postmortem Changes to Bone Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 16.1: Analyzing Saw Marks Exercise 16.2: Analyzing Other Postmortem Damage Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 17 Additional Aspects of Individualization Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 17.1: Facial Approximation Exercise 17.2: Estimating Body Weight Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 18 Obtaining an Identification Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 18.1: Identification from Radiographs Exercise 18.2: Identification From Photographic Superimposition Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets 19 Conclusion Learning Objectives Expected Outcomes Minimum Materials Optional Materials Exercise 19.1: Forensic Anthropology Report Exercise 19.2: Expert Witness Testimony Evaluation Note to Instructors Exercise Worksheets References

About the Author :
Steven N. Byers has a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico (UNM), USA. Now retired, he worked for a number of years on various campuses of UNM, teaching courses in Forensic Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, and Archaeology. He is currently serving on the Anthropology Consensus Body of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board, in addition to focusing on Southeastern United States bioarchaeology. Byers’ publications with Routledge include this title's sister volume Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (in its 5th edition).

Review :
"The fifth edition of Forensic Anthropology Laboratory Manual is a welcome and necessary compliment to the textbook, Introduction to Forensic Anthropology. Designed to work in conjunction with the book chapters, the lab manual elaborates on specific concepts and provides an easy to follow lab exercise that illustrates the application of those concepts. Topics that were once difficult to convey to students have now been simplified and explained in this lab manual, allowing the student to fully immerse in the current and challenging field of Forensic Anthropology." - Ann Marie Mires, Director of Forensic Criminology at Anna Maria College, USA "Steven Byers’ 4th edition is the new gold standard for forensic methods. Students use the Lab Manual to understand and easily master the hands-on techniques of forensics. Each exercise clearly links lecture content to experiential learning. This edition isn't just required reading for the students, its also my favorite lab partner." - Monica Faraldo, Department of Anthropology, University of Miami, USA