Analysis of skeletal recovery rates in a New England environment
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Abstract
The present research examines the recovery rates of skeletal elements from forensic anthropology casework in a New England environment in five contexts: terrestrial environments (n = 65), marine/freshwater environments (n = 49), cemetery environments (n = 67), previous anatomical teaching specimens (n = 38), and recent burials (n = 5). After deposition, numerous taphonomic variables can alter the condition and location of skeletal remains including consumption and dispersal via various taxa, weathering, erosion, burial, natural disasters, human interference, and ineffective recovery methods. Elements that are not recovered during an initial search are not available for analysis and if left in the environment, can add an undue burden on the anthropologist if recovered later. It was hypothesized that the elements with the highest representation would be the cranium and long bones of the appendicular skeleton, while the smallest elements of the hands and feet would be the lowest represented elements overall. On average, cranium was represented between 45.0% (marine) and 100.0% (burial), the femur between 15.8% (previous anatomical) and 100.0% (burial), the patella between 1.5% (cemetery) and 90.0% (burial), the tibia between 12.0% (cemetery) and 100.0% (burial), the fibula between 9.0% (cemetery) and 80.0% (burial), the humerus between 11.2% (marine) and 100.0% (burial), the radius between 8.2% (cemetery) and 80.0% (burial), the ulna between 9.0% (cemetery) and 90.0% (burial), the sternum between 0.0% (cemetery) and 100.0% (burial), the ribs between 1.3% (cemetery) and 93.3% (burial), the vertebrae between 4.3% (cemetery) and 97.1% (burial), the os coxa between 10.5% (cemetery) and 90.0% (burial), the sacrum between 9.0% (cemetery) and 67.7% (terrestrial), the carpals between 0.4% (cemetery) and 60.0% (burial), the metacarpals between 2.1% (cemetery) and 78.0% (burials), the manual phalanges between 1.0% (cemetery) and 55.8% (burials), the tarsals between 2.6% (cemetery) and 87.3% (burials), the metatarsals between 3.4% (cemetery) and 80.0% (burials), and the pedal phalanges between 1.7% (cemetery) and 46.8% (burials).Overall, element representation was highest in recent burial and terrestrial environments, followed by previous anatomical remains, marine/freshwater environments, and lowest in cemetery environments. The cranium was the highest represented element in all contexts, and, in general, most contexts followed the same general patterns of element representation with high representation of the long bones, higher representation of the lower axial skeleton vs. the upper axial skeleton, and overall low representation of the hyoid, sternum, patellae, and elements of the hands and feet. Previous anatomical teaching specimens were compared to previously published data on trophy remains.
The present study provides representation rates for casework in the Northeast United States and adds to the current data on element representation from forensic anthropology casework. This data can be used to help identify areas in need of greater focus for identification methods and offer support for the utilization of forensic anthropologists in medicolegal investigations.
Description
2024