Sherlock Bones: Results and Analysis
Remains Set #
Team Members:
Pre – Lab Exercise
List at least 4 skeletal traits that you believe could be used to help identify an individual.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Final Determinations*
Remember that all of the bones used to assess any given trait should be look at as a whole. For example, if the majority of the bones used to
determine the sex indicate that the individual was male, then your final determination of sex should be male.
1. Based on your results entered in Tables 1-4, make a final determination as to the sex of this individual.
Write this answer in the space provided below Table 4.
2. Based on your results entered in Table 5 and the results of the femur curvature test (below Table 3), make
a final determination as to the race of this individual. Write this answer in the space provided at the bottom
of page S18.
3. Now that you have determined the sex and race of this individual, you can now determine the height by
following the steps below:
A. FOR THE FEMUR: In the space provided just above Table 6 for the Femur, convert the data for
the maximum length of the femur (MLF) from millimeters (mm) to centimeters (cm). In Table 6,
locate the regression formula that corresponds to the sex and race of the skeleton as you have
determined the bones to be. Insert the converted (MLF) into this formula and calculate. Record
the height in centimeters to the right of this formula. Using the corresponding confidence
interval to calculate the height range based on the femur only and record in Table 6.
FOR THE TIBIA: Follow the above step but use Table 6 for the Tibia and the regression formula
and confidence interval that are in Table 6 for the Tibia.
B. Repeat the above step for the maximum length of the humerus (MLH) to complete Table 7 and
determine the height range based on the humerus only.
C. To determine the probable height range of this individual based on the femur (or tibia) and
humerus, refer to the appropriate Tables 6 & 7 and record the minimum value and the
maximum value of the calculated height ranges in the space provided below Table 7. Convert
each value to feet and inches by following the instructions provided below Table 7.
4. Based on the ages circled in Tables 8, 9, and 10, determine the minimum age of this individual at the time of
death. Write this answer in the space provided below Table 10.
5. Report your final conclusion to your instructor.
assessment
1. After you have completed your inspection and assessment of the skeletal remains, the police have provided
you with the descriptions of the missing persons that they have been investigating. Based upon your
findings, which of the individuals listed below could you safely eliminate as a positive identification and
why?
Missing Persons
Age (yrs.)
Nationality
Height
45
45
45
45
25
20
Asian
Asian
African
African
Caucasian
Caucasian
5’2”
5’10”
6’0”
5’3”
5’8”
5’5”
Kim Lee
Michael Lee
Anthony Woods
Theresa Woods
Jonathan Parker
Mary Parker
Possibility (Y/N)
Why/Why Not
2. You have been asked to testify in court on the evidence you have found in this case. Will you testify that the
remains you have examined were in fact those of any one of the individuals listed above? Why or why not?
3. What information about the remains you have examined could you safely discuss in your testimony?
4. As an expert witness, would a forensic pathologist or forensic anthropologist be called in to testify? Explain.
5. List five (5) attributes that this (the one identified in question #4) forensic expert must possess and give
reasons as to why these traits would be important to the profession.
6. As Sherlock Bones and his team, you were able to analyze skeletal remains in order to determine four (4)
particular traits of an individual. In a real life situation, scientists could provide a more detailed description
of this individual based on additional information that can be acquired from the bones of this person.
Research three (3) other identifying traits that can be gleaned from a person’s skeletal remains. Report
your findings here.
7. Forensic anthropology is just one specialty area in the field of forensic science. Below is a short list of other
disciplines in forensics. Research one (1) of these disciplines and write a paragraph that briefly describes
the responsibilities of an individual who specializes in that branch of forensics.
Forensic odontology
Forensic pathology
Forensic entomology
Forensic serology
True and False – Explain your answer
8. T / F When assessed individually, the femur bone is slightly less accurate in determining the height than
the humerus bone.
9. T / F The skull is the best indicator of an individual’s sex.
10. T / F It is not possible to determine the height of an individual if the race and sex of the remains have not
yet been determined.
11. T / F It is not uncommon for a skeleton to exhibit characteristics of more than one racial group.
12. T / F In relation to the skull, the humerus bones are inferior, lateral and distal.
Sherlock Bones: Results and Analysis
Remains Set #
Team Members:
results and analysis
SEX DETERMINATION:
Table 1: Pelvis
Trait
Sub-Pubic Angle
Pubis Body Width
Greater Sciatic Notch
Pelvic Cavity Shape
Result
Female
Male
>90o
<90o
~40 mm
>68o
25-30mm
<68o
Circular & wide, showing mainly
the coccyx
Heart-shaped, showing
sacrum and coccyx
Table 2: Skull
Trait
Upper Edge of Eye Orbit
Shape of Eye Orbit
Zygomatic Process
Result
Nuchal Crest (Occipital Bone)
External Occipital Protuberance
Frontal Bone
Mandible Shape
Ramus of mandible
Table 3: Long Bones (Leg)
Femur
Measurement (mm)
Vertical – Maximum Diameter of
Femoral Head
Bicondylar Width
Maximum Length
Result
Female
Male
Sharp
Round
Blunt
Square
Not expressed beyond external
auditory meatus
Expressed beyond external
auditory meatus
Smooth
Generally absent
Round, globular
Rounded, V-shaped
Slanting
Rough and Bumpy
Generally present
Low, slanting
Square, U-shaped
Straight
Female
<43.5
Indeterminate Sex
43.5-44.5
Male
>44.5
<74
<405
74-76
405-430
>76
>430
Femur Curvature Test –
Caucasoid: fingers can fit under curvature of femur
Negroid: fingers cannot fit under curvature of femur
Tibia
Measurement (mm)
Maximum Epiphyseal Breath of
Proximal Tibia
Maximum Epiphyseal Breath of Distal
Tibia
Result
Average Female
70.26
Average Male
79.40
46.31
52.48
Table 4: Long Bones (Arm)
Humerus
Measurement (mm)
Result
Transverse Diameter of Humeral Head
Vertical Diameter of Humeral Head
Maximum Length
Epicondylar Width
Average Female
37.0-39.0
42.7
305.9
56.8
Average Male
42.7-44.7
48.8
339.0
63.9
Final Sex Determination:
RACE DETERMINATION
Table 5: Skull
Nasal width:
mm
Nasal height:
mm
Trait
Nasal Index
Nasal Spine
Result
Nasal Silling/Guttering
Prognathism
Shape of Orbital
Opening
Caucasoid (European)
Mongoloid (Asian)
< .48
.48-.53
Prominent spine
Less prominent
spine
Sharp Ridge (Silling) Rounded ridge
Straight
Variable
Rounded,
Rounded, somewhat
somewhat square
circular
Caucasoid skull:
Nasal Width:
mm  Nasal Height:
mm = Nasal Index 0.00
Mongoloid skull:
Nasal Width:
mm  Nasal Height:
mm = Nasal Index 0.00
Negroid skull:
Nasal Width:
mm  Nasal Height:
mm = Nasal Index 0.00
Are the nasal indexes of each racial group close to the ones that appear in Table 5?
If not, what could account for this inconsistency?
Final Race Determination:
Negroid (African)
>53
Very small spine
No Ridge (Guttering)
Prognathic
Rectangular or
squared
HEIGHT DETERMINATION:
Table 6: (Femur)
Maximum Length of Femur (MLF)
mm =
cm
MALE
Caucasoid
Mongoloid
Negroid
Regression formula
2.32 (MLF) + 65.65
2.15 (MLF) + 72.57
2.10 (MLF) + 72.22
Height (cm)
Confidence Interval
3.94
3.80
3.91
Height range (cm)
FEMALE
Caucasoid
Mongoloid
Negroid
Regression formula
2.47 (MLF) + 54.10
2.38 (MLF) + 56.93*
2.28 (MLF) + 59.76
Height (cm)
Confidence Interval
3.72
3.57
3.41
Height range (cm)
Table 6: (Tibia)
Maximum Length of Tibia (MLT)
mm =
cm
MALE
Caucasoid
Mongoloid
Negroid
Regression formula
2.42 (MLT) + 81.93
2.39 (MLT) + 81.45
2.19 (MLT) + 85.36
Height (cm)
Confidence Interval Height range (cm)
163.84-168.14
4.00
163.03-169.69
3.27
159.20-167.02
3.91
FEMALE
Caucasoid
Mongoloid
Negroid
Regression formula
2.90 (MLT) + 61.53
2.68 (MLT) + 67.05*
2.45 (MLT) + 72.56
Height (cm)
Confidence Interval Height range (cm)
160.82-168.14
3.66
158.33-165.69
3.68
159.03-166.43
3.70
Table 7: (Humerus)
Maximum Length of Humerus (MLH)
mm =
cm
MALE
Caucasoid
Mongoloid
Negroid
Regression formula
2.89 (MLH) + 78.10
2.68 (MLH) + 83.19
2.88 (MLH) + 75.48
Height (cm)
Confidence Interval
4.57
4.16
4.23
Height range (cm)
FEMALE
Caucasoid
Mongoloid
Negroid
Regression formula
3.36 (MLH) + 57.97
3.22 (MLH) + 61.32*
3.08 (MLH) + 64.67
Height (cm)
Confidence Interval
4.45
4.35
4.25
Height range (cm)
*Practitioners’
formula extrapolated from Caucasoid and Negroid regression formulae for females.
Minimum value =
cm  2.54 =
in. =
ft.
in.
Maximum value =
cm  2.54 =
in. =
ft.
in.
 24 in. = 2 ft.
 36 in. = 3 ft.
 48 in. = 4 ft.
 60 in. = 5 ft.
 72 in. = 6 ft.
AGE DETERMINATION:
Table 8: Pelvis
Developmental Occurrence
The pubis bone and ischium are almost completely united by bone (figure 6)
The ilium, ischium and pubis bones are joined together (figure 6)
The two lowest segments of the sacral vertebrae become joined together (figure 8)
The ilium, ischium and pubis bones become fully ossified with no evidence of epiphyseal unions
All segments of the sacrum are united with no evidence of epiphyseal unions
Approx. Age
7-8
13-14
18
20-25
25-30
Table 9: Femur
Developmental Occurrence
The greater trochanter first appears
The lesser trochanter first appears
The head, greater trochanter and lesser trochanter first join the shaft
The condyles first join the shaft
Approx. Age
4
13-14
18
20
Table 9: Tibia
Developmental Occurrence
The lower epiphysis joins the shaft
The upper epiphysis joins the shaft
Approx. Age
18
20
Table 10: Humerus
Developmental Occurrence
The head and tuberosities join to become a single large epiphysis
The radial head, trochlea and external condyle blend and unite with the shaft
The internal condyles unites with the shaft
The upper epiphysis unites with the shaft
Final Minimum Age (range) Determination:
Approx. Age
6
16-17
18
20
years
SUMMARY of FINDINGS:
Final Sex Determination: (Male/Female)
Final Race Determination: (Cauc./Mong./Neg.)
Final Height Determination: (Min. Value)
ft.
in.
(Max. Value)
ft.
in.
Final Minimum Age Determination:
years