comparison and appearance between the femur and skull when constructing a biological profile
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University of Central Lancashire Preston (UClan)
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Word count = 1551
(Excluding references).
Comparison and appearance between the femur and skull when constructing a
biological profile.
This essay will elaborate on numerous factors such as: biological profiling, the skull
and femurs contribution to completing a strong biological profile and why they are
essential for forensic anthropologists and odontologists. Biological profiling using the
skull and femur can give an in-depth estimation on the individuals age, sex and
ancestry by using specific landmarks to determine this; it can also be used to identify
specific characteristics such as diseases and or injuries acquired in their life or
possibly at the time of their death. This would specifically be essential when a
missing person had a known fracture or disease prior to death as this specific
characteristic can confirm this individual.
Completing a strong biological profile with skeletonised remains is essential for
creating an accurate database on missing people. Forensic anthropologists are able
to study certain landmarks that will be used to create a shortlist of potential missing
people; specific characteristics such as dental records and or fractures can enable
this to be complete as this can confirm whether the characteristic matches that of the
missing individual (Centre, 2019).
A forensic odonatologist can determine age by examining teeth located on both, the
mandible and maxilla which is located on the skull. As human’s age, teeth will
change in numerous ways due to wear and tear and gum disease and periodontal
disease. If the mandible and maxilla have wisdom teeth, then the estimation of age
will be past an estimation of the age 25. If there has been evidence of osteonecrosis,
this will indicate that the individual is over a mature age. If deciduous teeth are
present, this concludes that the skull belongs to a child under the age of 5-6;
Page 1 of 8
, Word count = 1551
(Excluding references).
however, if succedaneous teeth are present then this could indicate this individual
would have been older than 13 (Sciencing.com, 2019).
This is essential when conducting a biological profile as this can narrow down the
age range to a specific estimation, which can be used in a database for reported
missing people. However, examining teeth alone cannot create a strong biological
profile.
To further narrow down a shortlist to create a biological profile, it is possible for a
forensic anthropologist to determine sex due to specific landmarks that can be
observed. The skulls on males are thicker, heavier and larger in comparison to a
female one. The frontal bone and supraorbital ridge of a female is smoother and
rounded in comparison of that of the opposite sex; males have a slight backwards
gradient on the frontal bone and have more detailed supraorbital ridges
(FutureLearn, 2019).
Furthermore on the skull, the orbitals of a female will be sharper and have a defined
margin whereas a male will have a squarer and blunter orbital margin. Another
feature to observe would be the mandible; male mandibles are more square and
defined whereas conversely, females will have a more pointed jaw and will also
curve greatly towards the ear (FutureLearn, 2019).
When looking at the skull from a side view, it is noticeable the mastoid process will
differ between the sex of the skulls. A female skull will be smaller compared to a
male one. The zygomatic bone and process of a male will be more observable as
this will appear wider. On the rear of the skull there are nuchal lines that are
predominantly visible on the male skull, the females is barely present.
Page 2 of 8
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