of remains
These standard procedures for exhumation and analysis of skeletal remains include a checklist of steps involved in a basic forensic medical examination. The purposes of the anthropological examination are the same symptoms as the legal medical examination of a recently deceased person. The anthropologist may collect information identifying the deceased, the time and place of death, the cause of death, and the manner or mode of death (homicide, suicide, accident, or natural death). However, the anthropologist''s approach differs due to the nature of the material being examined. Ordinarily, the autopsy has to examine the corpse, while the ethologist has to examine a skeleton. The anatomist focuses on information obtained from soft tissues, while the anthropologist focuses on information obtained from hard tissues. And the work of both specialists can overlap, because decomposition is an ongoing process. An anthropologist may examine a fresh corpse when the bone is exposed or when bone trauma is a factor. An experienced dissector may be required when mummified tissue is involved. In some circumstances, use of both these and the standard autopsy procedures may be necessary to obtain the maximum amount of information. The degree of decomposition of the corpse will dictate the type of examination, and therefore the procedures to be followed.
The questions that the anthropologist deals with are different from those normally dealt with in autopsies. The anthropological examination devotes more time and care to basic questions such as the following:
(a) Are the remains human,
(b) Are the remains of one person or several persons?
(c) What was the gender, race, stature, body weight, hand (left or right) and physique of the deceased?
(d) Are there any physical features or anomalies of the skeletal structure that can help in determining the identity of the deceased conclusively?
The ethnologist also deals with the time, cause and manner of death, but the margin of error is usually greater than that which an autopsy conducted shortly after death can achieve.
These model procedures can be useful in a wide variety of situations. However, their application can be affected by unfavorable circumstances, insufficient financial resources, or lack of time. Deviation from these procedures may be unavoidable, or even preferable in some cases. However, it was suggested that any major differences should be indicated in the final report, together with the reasons justifying them.
B. Suggested model procedures for skeletal analysis
1. On-site investigation
Excavation of buried remains should be treated with the same care as inspection at the crime scene. Efforts should be coordinated between the principal investigator and the geneticist or archaeologist consultants. Human remains are often exhumed by law enforcement officials or cemetery workers unskilled in the techniques of forensic anthropology. In this way, valuable information can be lost, and sometimes false information may be produced. Untrained persons should not perform exhumations. A consulting geneticist should be present to perform or supervise the exhumation. Excavating any type of landfill is associated with specific problems and procedures. The amount of information obtained from the excavation depends on knowing the state of the burial ground or on an opinion based on experience. The final report should include the justification for the drilling procedures.
The following actions should be taken during exhumation
(a) to record the date and location of the exhumation, the start time and the time it was completed, and the names of all those working therein,
(b) information is recorded by telling facts, supported by diagrams and photographs
(c) Photographing the work area from its actual appearance before starting work and after completing it each day, with a view to documenting any disturbance that may arise that is not related to official procedures,
(d) In some cases it is necessary to first locate the grave within a particular area. There are multiple ways to locate graves, depending on the age of the grave.
(i) An experienced archaeologist can identify clues such as changes in surface topography and differences in local flora,
(ii) a metal probe may be used to locate the less compact soil that characterizes the grave soil,
(iii) The area to be explored may be cleared and the top soil scooped up with a flat shovel. The grave soil appears darker than the surrounding soil because the darker top soil has mixed with the lighter bottom soil. Sometimes the boundaries of the grave can be re-blurred by sprinkling its surface with a little water.
(e) Burials are classified as follows
(i) single or mixed. The tomb may contain the remains of one person buried alone, or it may contain the mixed remains of two or more persons buried simultaneously or over a period of time.
(2) Isolated or adjacent, and the isolated grave is separate from other graves and can be dug without fear of encroaching on another grave. Adjoining graves, such as those found in crowded cemeteries, require a different method of excavation because the wall of one grave is also the wall of another grave.
(3) Primary or secondary, and the primary grave is the grave in which the deceased is placed for the first time. If the remains are subsequently moved and reburied, the grave is considered secondary.
(iv) variable or unchanging. An un ed burial is a burial that has not changed (except by natural processes) since the time of the first burial. A variable burial is a burial that has been ed by human intervention after the time of the first burial. All secondary burials are considered changing burials, and archeology methods can be used to discover the change that occurs in the primary burial.
(f) An unambiguous number shall be assigned to the vault. And if there is no system already in force for numbering, the ethnologist should devise one,
(g) Determine a data point, then locate the burial site and draw a map for it using an appropriately sized monolithic grid and using the usual archaeological techniques. In some cases, simply measuring the depth of the grave from roof to skull and from roof to feet may suffice. The relevant material can then be recorded in terms of its position relative to the skull.
(h) The earth cover is removed, and the soil is sifted to extract the relevant materials. The level (depth) of any materials of this type found and their relative coordinates are recorded. The type of burial, especially whether it is primary or secondary, affects the care and attention that should be given at this stage. Relevant material at a secondary burial site is unlikely to reveal the circumstances of the initial burial, but could provide information on events that occurred after that burial,
(i) Things such as lead shot or jewelry are being searched for, and a metal detector can be useful in this, especially at levels directly above or below the level of the remains,
(j) The corpse shall be confined within the boundaries of a circle, after determining the burial level, and the burial pit shall be opened, if possible, with a depth of not less than 30 centimeters on all sides of the corpse,
(K) The burial is supported by pillars during excavation on all sides, to the lowest level of the corpse (approximately 30 centimeters). and also sit any related artifacts,
(l) Brush off residue with a soft brush or feather duster. Do not brush on textiles as it can destroy evidence of the fibres. He examines the soil around the skull for hair. This soil is placed in a bag to be examined in the laboratory. Patience is invaluable at this point. Residues may be fragile, while the interrelationships between elements are important and easily disturbed. Damage can seriously reduce the amount of information available from the analysis.
(m) Photographing and mapping the remains in situ. All photographs should include an identification number, the date, a scale drawing, and a sign indicating magnetic north,
(i) he first depicts the whole burial, then concentrates on the important details so that it is easy to visualize their relations with the whole,
(2) Everything that appears unusual or noticeable should be photographed closely, and attention should be paid to the adult with evidence of injury leading to death or pathological change, whether recent or cured.
(iii) Photograph and map all relevant materials (clothes, hair, coffins, artifacts, bullets, coverings, etc.). The map should include a rough sketch of the skull as well as any related material.
(n) Before anything is moved, measures of a person are taken,
(i) the total length of the remains are measured, and sub-points of the measurement are recorded, such as the distance between the top of the head and the plantar surface of the heel bone (note: this is not a measurement of stature),
(ii) if the skeleton is so fragile as to break when lifted, the largest possible number of measures shall be taken before moving it from the ground,
(o) All items shall be taken and placed in bags or boxes, taking care to avoid damage, and each container shall have its number, date, and initial signature on it,
(p) The soil is excavated at the level immediately following the burial ground and sifted. The level of ''sterile'' (ie devoid of artifacts) soil should be determined before digging is stopped and backfilling is started.
2. Laboratory analysis of skeletal remains
The following protocol should be followed during laboratory analysis of skeletal remains
(a) records the date of analysis of the skeletal remains, the position, the start time, the end time, and the names of all personnel,
(B) X-ray visualization of all skeletal elements before proceeding with cleaning.
(i) X-rays shall be taken of the set of teeth, apical, and cross-sectional, if possible
(ii) The entire skeleton should be X-rayed. Special attention should be given to fractures, developmental abnormalities, and surgical effects. This should include photographs of the forehead cavity for identification,
(c) Some bones are preserved in their original condition, and two lumbar vertebrae are sufficient. And clean the rest of the bones by washing them, but without absorbing water or rubbing. and leave the bones to dry,
(d) compact the entire skeleton in a regular manner,
(i) distinguishing the left parts from the right parts,
(ii) all bones are excavated and recorded on a skeletal chart,
(3) The teeth are counted and recorded on a dental chart. Decayed, replaced, and missing teeth are indicated.
(iv) The whole skeleton is depicted in one image. All images should include an identification number and scale.
(e) if an analysis is to be carried out by more than one person, and especially if there is any possibility of inter-individual comparisons, each item shall be numbered in indelible ink before any further work is commenced,
(f) the state of the remains shall be recorded, i.e. intact and solid, corroded and crumbly, charred or burnt,
(g) initial identification,
(i) specifying age, sex, race and stature,
(ii) the reasons for each conclusion are recorded (eg sex determination based on skull and vine (femur head)),
(iii) visualize all evidence supporting these conclusions,
(h) identification of the individual,
(i) searches for evidence of hand condition (left or right), pathological changes, fatal injury, and developmental abnormalities,
(ii) the reasons for each conclusion are recorded,
(iii) visualize all evidence supporting these conclusions,
(i) An attempt is made to distinguish between injuries resulting from curative measures and injuries not related to medical treatment. And visualize all injuries:
(i) examine the hyoid bone for cracks or fractures,
(ii) examine the thyroid cartilage for any damage,
(iii) Each bone should be examined for evidence of contact with metal objects. The upper and lower sides o
