2011, Vol.24, No.1

Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.33

pISSN : 2671-5651 / eISSN : 2671-566X
https://journal.kci.go.kr/aba

The role of forensic anthropology is to reconstruct the process of individual death by predicting the cause and manner of death as well as to find out biological profiles of unknown skeletal remains based on the data of physical anthropology. The purpose of this study is to suggest the data of decision-making process for cranial fractures and its related weapons of skeletal remains from the forensic fields. A hammer (31.7%) and baseball bat (16.7%) represented almost half of the blunt type of weapon used in the cranial fracture. The linear fracture was caused by most of weapons, the spider’s web and depressed fracture by the hammer, and the comminuted fracture by the heavy tools such as maul, wrench, etc as well as the hammer. By the chi-square test, there were significant differences between fracture patterns and types of weapon that it was helpful to estimate the weapon of cranial fracture for forensic anthropological decisions. Conclusively, we could prepare the priority order of estimating cause and manner of death in the case of cranial fracture for the forensic context and suggest research design of physical anthropology about osteological biomechanics and taphonomy relating cranial fractures.

American population consists of people of various race and ethnic group. Palm prints are different from each individual, ethnic group and race. The aim of this study is to investigate influencing anthropometric values to atd angles formed by triradii of palm prints in European American and develop a regression equation that can predict atd angle. This study was done on 208 European American (males: 102 individuals, females: 106 individuals). Data were collected by measuring atd angles using a protractor, distance from triradii a to d, length from triradius t to the distal wrist crease (DWC), palm breadth at metacarpals and palm length perpendicular using digital callipers. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the frequency, independent sample t-test, paired t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, stepwise regression using SPSS win 18.0. This study showed that atd angles of males (38.6^O) are significantly smaller than those of females (40.4^O). Influencing anthropometric values to atd angles in males were distance from triradii a to d, the ratio of the length from triradius t to the DWC to palm length, palm length. Influencing anthropometric values to atd angles in females were the ratio of the length from triradius t to the DWC to palm length, the ratio of the distance from triradii a to d to palm breadth, and the ratio of palm breadth to palm length. In addition to, the regression equation predicted atd angle of males was 26.150+(0.741×distance from triradii a to d)+(52.856×the ratio of the length from triradius t to the DWC to palm length)-(0.332×palm length), on the other hand, that of females was -42.935+(51.657×the ratio of the length from triradius t to the DWC to palm length)+(63.314×the ratio of the distance from triradii a to d to palm breadth)+(42.764×the ratio of palm breadth to palm length). The results of this study suggest that there were differences in influencing anthropometric values to atd angles between males and females in European American. Especially, the ratio of the length from triradius t to DWC to palm length was a very significantly influencing anthropometric value to atd angles to all of males and females.

GyeongGi Cultural Foundation was requested the identification of eight excavated human skeletons from Neunggok residential development district within Siheung-si. Those were measured for distinguishing sex,stature, and age at death using metric and non-metric methods. The identification of eight human remains was not easy because the excavated bones were destroyed partly and totally. Six skeletons were excavated from the limed-soiled mixture tomb; five remains among 8 were buried in same grave and 2 skeletons were excavated from the earthen tomb. Four remains were determined female skeletons. One skeleton was assumed adolescence, three skeletons were estimated 40’s~50’s years old and others couldn’t be done. Four among eight remain skeletons, the stature of female remains was around 150~157 cm and male’s stature was around 165 cm. Most bones were damaged and destroyed, and the remaining teeth on the maxilla and mandible were not enough for identification. We couldn’t identify through metric and non-metric methods. If the human skeletal remains were not found with artifact, those couldn’t determine the period. So we couldn’t know the relationship between the period of burial and condition of bones. For this reason, we will study the identification using the small and damaged bones. Anthropologists and archeaologists need to work together to make database to determine identification and period.