Conclusion

After looking through the evidence we have concluded the skeleton is that of a white,
female. Based off the evidence of the skull, pelvis and humerus the results lead toward female.
The pelvis which is the best bone to decide whether or not you are dealing with a female or male
because females are built to carry children, the measurements all pointed to that of a female.
The skull pointed to more masculine features however, the pelvis and humerus both pointed to
all female characteristics leading my team to conclude the skeleton is that of a female. The skull
which is the evidence to prove the race, almost all of the evidence located on table 6 points to a
white race. In conclusion, the data recorded brought us to decide this is indeed the skeleton of a
white female.

Conclusion Questions
1) How did your findings compare to the rest of your team and to the actual data provided by
your teacher? What could account for any variation?
My team divided up measuring the same thing and then, we came together and shared
our data. With more people doing this there is a smaller chance of you missing things.

2)Why do you think the pelvis is often the first bone forensic anthropologists look to in
determining sex from skeletal remains?
It is the one difference that is most obvious when looking at female vs. male skeletons.
Other differences (such as length of bones or facial features) can vary so widely between
individuals that they may not be as reliable as the pelvic differences.
3) The developmental occurrences you used to determine age stopped at age 25. What are other
clues a forensic anthropologist may be able to use to determine age if the bones belong to a
person over age 25?
Microscopic observations of bone can show bone remodeling that has taken place in
older adults (this is useful because bone remodeling continues even after normal bone growth
stops). To some extent, wear and tear on the spine and joints can show age (although these

observations are not as likely to pinpoint exact age). Examination of the rib ends and cartilage
that joins them to the sternum is also used for age determination.
4) What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative evidence? Explain how both types
of measurements played a role in this activity.
Qualitative observations are observations that do not involve numbers. These
observations were definitely used in this activity when observing things like "heart-shaped vs.
round pelvis" or "blunt vs. sharp upper eye sockets". Quantitative observations are numerical
observations. We also used these often in this activity for measurements on the sub-pubic angle,
the length of leg and arm bones, the nasal index, etc.
5) To analyze the long bones, the femur and the humerus, you looked at bone markings such as
condyles, tuberosities and trochanters. How would you describe these markings? Which features
separate each class of markings from the others?
A condyle is the round prominence at the end of a bone. A tuberosity is a bone
prominence (a place where the bone sticks out). A trochanter is a part of the femur that connects
to the hip bone (there is a greater and lesser trochanter).
6) Describe at least two other pieces of information you could possibly learn from bone. Make
sure to provide a specific example for each piece of information
Examples could include: finding evidence of fractures or cracks in bones that can be
related back to childhood injuries, which could help with identification; looking for specific
injuries to bone that could indicate foul play; DNA evidence extracted from bone; minerals in
bone could give clues as to recent whereabouts of the person or general level of health or
nutrition