Forensic Anthropology Quiz

When examining a variety of bones such as the skull, pelvis, femur, etc., forensic anthropologists can use their skills to identify: I. Age II. Gender III. Manner of death

• I and II only

• II only

• III only

• I, II, and III

Answer explanation

Forensic anthropologists can determine a victim's age and gender by analyzing bones like the skull and pelvis. However, they cannot definitively ascertain the manner of death from bones alone, making 'I and II only' the correct choice.

Forensic anthropology primarily relies on _____ to solve a crime.

• Physiology

• Guesses

• Neuroanalysis

• Skeletal analysis

Answer explanation

Forensic anthropology primarily uses skeletal analysis to examine human remains, helping to determine identity, cause of death, and other critical details in criminal investigations.

If a skull has square eye sockets, a square jaw, a large supraorbital ridge, and a large mastoid process, it is _.

• Male

• Female

Answer explanation

The presence of square eye sockets, a square mandible, a pronounced upper brow ridge, and a large mastoid bone protrusion are characteristics typically associated with male skulls, indicating that the skull is male.

A more developed bone on one side may indicate___.

• how you lived

• how she was murdered

• laterality

• gender

Answer explanation

A more developed bone on one side often indicates handedness, as individuals tend to use one side of their body more, leading to greater bone density and development on that side.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Which of the following dental evidences will not help determine an individual's age?

• baby teeth

• fillings in the teeth

• wisdom teeth

• worn teeth

Answer explanation

Fillings in teeth indicate dental treatment rather than age. In contrast, deciduous teeth, wisdom teeth, and worn teeth provide more reliable age-related information.

What are the four main things a forensic anthropologist wants to know from a skeleton?

• Sex, age, intelligence, ancestry

• Ancestry, economic status, identification, sex

• Metatarsals, pelvis, age, sex

• Sex, age, height, ancestry

Answer explanation

Forensic anthropologists primarily seek to determine the sex, age, stature (height), and ancestry of skeletal remains. This information helps in identifying individuals and understanding their background, making the correct choice 'Sex, age, stature (height), ancestry'.

The suture lines in the _________ are useful for determining the __________ of a victim.

(a)  

Answer explanation

Suture lines on the skull are important indicators in forensic science. They help determine the age of a victim, as the fusion of these lines occurs at different stages of life.

What are the differences between female and male pelvises?

• The male pelvis is oval with a subpubic angle of more than 90 degrees and the female pelvis is heart-shaped with a subpubic angle of less than 90 degrees

• The male pelvis is heart-shaped with a subpubic angle of less than 90 degrees and the female pelvis is oval with a subpubic angle of more than 90 degrees

• The male pelvis is heart-shaped with a subpubic angle of more than 90 degrees and the female pelvis is oval with a subpubic angle of less than 90 degrees

• The male pelvis is shaped like a parallelogram and more than 180 degrees and the female pelvis is circular and 90 degrees

Answer explanation

The correct choice states that the male pelvis is heart-shaped with a subpubic angle of less than 90 degrees, while the female pelvis is oval with a subpubic angle of more than 90 degrees, reflecting their anatomical differences.

What can't skeletons tell us?

• Gender

• Height

• Race

• Health

• Intelligence

Answer explanation

Skeletons can provide information about physical attributes like gender, height, race, and health based on bone structure. However, they cannot indicate intelligence, as cognitive abilities are not reflected in skeletal remains.

Why does a baby's skeleton contain a greater number of bones? Which two answers are correct?

• They are born with bones that eventually turn into cartilage.

• They are born with many bones that have not completely fused.

• I & II

• They need to be flexible and soft to pass more easily through the birth canal.

• They need it for calcium absorption.

Answer explanation

Infants have a higher number of bones because they are born with many bones that have not fused completely, allowing for flexibility. This flexibility helps them pass through the birth canal more easily.