Identification of Humans

Question 1

How does the pelvis of a female differ from that in a male?

Answer 1

Sub pubic angle much greater in women

Female pelves are larger and wider than male pelves

Male iliac crests are higher than females, causing their false pelves to look taller and narrower.

Question 2

How does the skull of a male differ from that of a female?

Answer 2

Men have a big mastoid process, more sloping forehead

Women have a smaller skull in general

Question 3

Define skeletonisation

Answer 3

All soft tissue has decayed or dried to the point that the skeleton is exposed

Question 4

How is identification of age achieved?

Answer 4

X - ray of bone development in foetus and neonate

Assessment of epiphyses - childhood and adolescence

Analysis of teeth most valuable from infancy to adulthood

Question 5

What is the best indicator of stature?

Answer 5

Individual lower limbs are most useful for the calculation of height

Question 6

How can comparative identification be achieved

Answer 6

Knowledge of personal physical characteristics (head hair, eye colour, facial hair)

Question 7

How can medical information be useful for identification?

Answer 7

History of gallstones, arthritis, deformaties

Question 8

What form of personal ID is more prevalent than fingerprint information?

Answer 8

Dental records - durable and fire resistant

Question 9

What are the limitations of DNA profiling?

Answer 9

Slow and expensive