Cure for information overload

✍ Scribed by A.R.W. Forrest

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 212 KB
• Volume: 40
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1355-0306
• DOI: 10.1016/s1355-0306(00)71941-1

✦ Synopsis

Forensic osteology is perhaps one of the most heterogeneous sub-disciplines of forensic science or medicine. Considerable variability exists with regard to the demand for forensic osteological services in different countries, the educational background and experience of practitioners, accreditation and circumstances of employment, and local sociological, environmental and climatic conditions. This collection of twenty case studies presented by thirty-three authors offers a wide-ranging review of forensic osteology practice in a variety of contemporary and historical contexts largely originating from Canada and the United States. Forensic osteology offers a means of gathering evidence which can contribute to the identification of the individual from the skeleton, of methods of body concealment and disposal, of post-mortem diagenetic and taphonomic processes and, under certain circumstances, of cause of death and time since death. Estimation of age, height, sex, build and ethnic affiliation are the stock-in-trade of the forensic osteologist and it is important to recall that these are indeed estimates, with varying degrees of confidence attached, not unequivocal determinations. Natural variations or pathological conditions affecting the gross morphology of the skeleton may also assist in identification if records can be obtained for comparison. Life, as well as ill-health, leaves its mark on the skeleton. Musculo-skeletal development and wear can be influenced as a result of many occupations and pastimes. Although 'osteobiographies' derived from skeletal remains are partial, ambiguous and speculative to varying degrees, they may offer the only source of insight into the appearance, identity and habits of the individual during life.