Lab: Bag of Bones

Lab: Bag of Bones

1. Read the back story

2. Complete the skeletons & upload a picture to google classroom

3. Answer the questions ​

Back Story

As part of a plea deal, a killer has admitted to burying two victims and was made to identify the location of their remains. The killer put the bodies in a cloth bag and then buried them in a shallow grave in the woods. The family of the victims never knew that they were killed by this killer nor did they know where their missing relatives were for 20 years. What is known is that there is a male and female buried at this site.

You are tasked with sorting the skeletons and identifying the male and female bones.

Directions

1. Take the bones out of the bag.

2. Identify which is f​emale and which is male. You will have to compare sizes. There is more information available on the following slides to help you.

3. Reassemble the bones into complete skeletons. There is a guide to help you at your table.

4. Take a picture and upload to this assignment in google classroom. Only one picture per t​able is required.

5. Answer the questions. ​

Male or Female?

When examining a skeleton, forensic archeologists can determine biological sex by examining the pelvic girdle and several other factors:

​1. The female skull is typically rounder and smaller than the male's. The female forehead is longer vertically, and jaw is smaller.

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​2. The female sacrum is wider and shorter than the male's. ​

3. Female pelvic cavity is large and circular. The males cavity tends to be more narrow and heart shaped.

​​4. In a female the coccyx (tail bone) is more moveable than in a male. ​

Multiple Choice

Forensic Anthropologists study _________

• bones

• blood

• missing persons

• ancient societies

Multiple Choice

Which is the most reliable bone to determine the biological sex of a skeleton? 

• Femur
• Skull
• Pelvic bone
• Collarbone

Multiple Choice

The pelvis of a female is _____ as compared to a male.

• wide and circular
• wide and heart-shaped
• narrow and circular
• narrow and heart-shaped

Multiple Choice

The pelvis of a male is _____ as compared to a female.

• wide and circular
• wide and heart-shaped
• narrow and circular
• narrow and heart-shaped

Multiple Choice

You notice a skull that has a pronounced brow bone and large jaw.  

What sex this this characteristic typically associated with?

• Male
• Female

Multiple Select

Which letter is pointing to the femur?

• E

• F

• G

• N

Multiple Select

Which letter is pointing to the humerus?

• B

• E

• K

• L

Multiple Choice

Name these bones colored yellow.

• humerus

• ulna

• radius

• tibia

Multiple Choice

This is the smaller bone behind the Tibia

• Tibia
• Femur
• Fibula
• Pelvis

Multiple Choice

Which bone is colored red?

• Humerus

• Ulna

• Radius

• Clavicle

Multiple Choice

Which bones are used to determine the height of the deceased?

• The skull and pelvic bones

• Long bones such as femur and humerus

• Flat bones such as sternum and ribs

• Lower bones such as phalanges and metatarsals

Multiple Choice

How did the male bones and skeleton compare to the female bones and skeleton?

• The male skeleton was overall more robust and female was more slender

• The male skeleton was overall more slender and female was more robust

• There was hardly any difference in the sizes of the bones

Multiple Choice

What are functions of the skeleton?

• Protection
• Blood cell production
• Movement
• All of these