Forensic Anthropology Case

Site Name

Mohamed AdnanMichelle GorbonosovZahava Hirsch

CUNY Brooklyn College

michellegorbonosov@gmail.comzahavahirsch@gmail.comMohamed.adnan@macaulay.cuny.edu

Executive Summary

Site MonitoringThe site monitoring was conducted by the forensic archeologist in charge of the excavation. The authors of this report were not present during the initial discovery of the remains or during the removal of the remains. The authors relied on post-excavation documentation provided to them for contextual information regarding the skeletal remains that were found. Dates of the excavation were not provided. The remains were found in a shallow grave described as being approximately 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters, with a maximum depth of 1.25 meters. Both skeletal and dental remains were found in a heavily wooded area near a stream that flows all year-round. The initial assumption was that this site held the remains for one individual, although evidence suggests that the burial site had been opened multiple times leading to the remains being jumbled. In addition to skeletal remains found in the grave, additional remains were found on the surface close to the stream. The excavation site was situated approximately 25 kilometers from the nearest town. There has been a significant time lapse of five years from the time of the initial discover of the human remains and the time of the analysis provided in this report.

PurposeThe purpose of the analysis of the excavated remains is to determine the identity of the missing persons.

Laboratory AnalysisThe laboratory analysis was conducted on the Brooklyn College campus in the basement of the Ingersol building. Proper measuring instruments were provided, however, the authors had no DNA analysis equipment at their disposal.

Methodology Skeletal AnalysisThe identification of the remains excavated followed standard forensic anthropology protocol. Skeletal sex, age, ancestry, stature and pathology were all determined whenever possible. The determination of sex was based on standards of analysis based on differences in morphology on specific locations of the skull as described in Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994) and specific locations of the pelvis. Determination of age was based on standards of analysis of cranial suture closure, as described by Meindle and Lovejoy (1985). Specific areas of the cranial bones were also used to determine ancestry based on analysis methods described by Klepinger (2006) and Bass (2005). Measurements were taken from all cranial and post-cranial bones, and long bone measurements were used for stature reconstruction based on stature reconstruction formulas provided. All skeletal material was analyzed for pathology macroscopically and all pathology found was documented according to the suggestions provided in Ortner (2003) and Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994).

Methodology RecordingAll skeletal and dental remains from the excavation site described above were recorded following the general standards provided by Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994). Data forms were created based on data obtained from initial analysis of the remains in the forensic lab. Each of the skeletal material collected and analyzed is provided with identifying specimen numbers.

Methodology PhotographsAll bones and teeth were photographed to provide image referencing for this report. All photographs were taken with an iPhone 5.

Statement of EthicsAll skeletal material was handled ethically and responsibly during the course of this analysis. It is understood that these remains represent missing persons and they were treated as such. No misconduct occurred with the remains.

Report FormatEach of the skeletal remains excavated is given its own sub-report titled with its specific specimen identification number. The data charts associated with each of the remains are found within their corresponding sub-reports. The photographs are referenced in the sub-reports they correspond to, but are found grouped together at the end of this report. Additionally, all references used are also at the end of this report.

Individual Reports

SP# 237G (Complete Skull)SP# 0097 (Mandible)SP# 0595 (Pelvis)SP # 0732 (Left Femur)SP #0705 (Right Clavicle)

Summary OverviewDate of excavation was not provided. Sp# 237G is a complete skull that was found at the excavation site detailed previously. SP# 0097 is a complete mandible that was found broken in two pieces at the same site. SP# 0595 is a left pelvic bone, the other parts of the pelvis were not found. SP# 0732 is a left femoral bone, which was found at the excavation site. SP #0705 is a right clavicle bone, which was found at the excavation site.The excavation grave was shallow, about 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters with a depth of 1.25 meters. The remains were excavated and then placed in a cardboard box for five years before analysis took place. No tissue remained on the bones. It is unclear exactly where in the excavation site the remains were found, being that some skeletal remains were found in the shallow grave while others were found above ground near the river and the location of each of the specific bones excavated was not recorded carefully. No soil residue was left on the remains. The skull was complete and some teeth remained in the maxilla, all of which are detailed in the data chart provided. Based on analysis of the specific sex location on the skull, the sex is determined to be male. Based on suture closure (refer to Image 3) the age is determined to be around 45.2 years. Unique pathologies were observed on the skull. There are a number of bumps on the frontal and parietal bones (refer to Image 3). There is a slight discoloration at various points along the skull. Additionally, both temporal bones are jutting out, as if the squamosal sutures never fused or were fused and then broke open due to some sort of trauma (refer to Image 4 and 5). There is also microporosity present along the skull.

The sex of the mandible was determined to be male. It was recovered in two pieces, having been cracked down the center-left, presumably post mortem. Multiple smaller cracks were found throughout the mandible as well. Many teeth were not recovered, but some did remain in the mandible. All teeth are documented in the data chart provided. Teeth #18 and 19 were missing but the bone seems irregularly smooth, indicating that those two teeth may have never grown in. It is uncertain whether or not the mandible and the skull are from the same individual. However, being that there is no evidence to prove otherwise, it is assumed that both are from the same person.

The sex of the pelvis was determined to be male. The age range of the pelvis was determined to be 35-45 years. Both the pelvic sex and age correspond with the sex and age of the complete skull found, as well as the sex of the mandible. Therefore, these may all be part of the same individual. The observed pathologies on the pelvis include microporosity and chipped bone.

SP# 237G-Skull Inventory

Cranial Inventory and pathology:The skull recovered was complete, without any visibly significant missing pieces. Pathologies found include bump trauma on the frontal and parietal bones. A bump of the bone was also found next to the area of T#1 on the maxilla. Additionally, the temporal bones were cracked by the squamosal sutures and were jutting out. This can be a result of the sutures never having fused or the fusion braking apart due to some trauma. Slight discoloration and microporostiy is also observed throughout the cranial bones. See Table 1.

Table 1: Complete Skull and Mandible Bone InventorySP#BONESIDECOMPPATHCNTCOMM

237GFRON/A1Yes1Bump on the left and right side by the coronal suture. Discoloration on the right side of the frontal love. Microporosity towards the nasal part of the frontal lobe.

PARL1Yes1Bump on the left side towards the middle of the bone. The lobe has a yellow discoloration and is slightly deformed. There is a large bump present.

PARR1Yes1There are three bumps present towards the coronal suture. White and yellow discoloration throughout this lobe.

OCCN/A1Yes1Slightly discolored and microporosity present.

TEML1Yes1The temporal bone is popping out and the squamosal suture seems unfused.

TEMR1Yes1The temporal bone is popping out and the squamosal suture seems unfused.

MAXN/A1Yes1There are cracks, holes and microporosity present in the bone. There is a bump by tooth #1

ZYGL1Yes1Discoloration and microporosity on the bone. The bone looks misshapen.

ZYGR1Yes1The bone is slightly discolored and is rough. There is a curve at the bottom.

SPHL1Yes1The suture is slightly unfused/broken on the temporal side

SPHR1Yes1The suture is slightly unfused/broken on the temporal and zygomatic side

0097MANN/A1Yes1The mandible is broken down the middle left side. Some teeth are missing. There is a crack along the right side and a slight crack on top. There is discoloration throughout the bone. On both sides there is an indentation.

COMP=COMPLETENESS OF THE BONE SCORE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING: 1=75%-100%; 2=50%-75%; 3=25%-50%; 4=