Part I: Click Here For A Diagram Of The Human Skeleton ✓ Solved
Part Iclick Herefor A Diagram Of The Human Skeleton For This Portion
Part I click here for a diagram of the human skeleton. For this portion of the assignment, you must fill in the correct anatomical names for each of the major bones in the body. On a document of 1–2 pages, provide brief descriptions of each of the identified bones.
Part II A forensic laboratory is responsible for examining any unidentified skeletal remains provided from a crime scene and trying to recreate the identity of a person by using those skeletal remains. One of the major structures used to identify victims from a crime that have left them unable to be recognized or unidentifiable is the skull.
It is important to know that teeth are embedded in the skull and that muscles are attached to the skull. A forensic team was sent to a fire that occurred in a warehouse. Initially, the firemen said that the building was empty, but on the final walk-through of the building, they discovered what appeared to be burned human remains. The forensic team gathered all of the burned victim’s bones, tissue, and other pieces of clothing and took them to the laboratory for investigation.
Complete Part I of the assignment. Address Part II in 3–4 pages: Explain in detail how the following will be used in facial reconstruction:
Odontology
What is odontology? How is this process used in facial reconstruction?
Bone Formation
What are the 3 primary cells that make up bone, and what is their function? What information can be obtained from the skeleton with regard to growth? How many bones are in the skull (face/head), and how are they important?
Muscles
What are the major muscles in the face, and what do they control? What can be learned about the identification of the person based on the muscles?
Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Facial reconstruction is a critical process in forensic science aimed at identifying unidentified human remains by recreating the face based on skeletal features. Central to this process are various biological and anatomical disciplines, including odontology, bone formation understanding, and muscle analysis. This paper will explore each of these components in detail, emphasizing their roles in forensic facial reconstruction.
Odontology and Its Role in Facial Reconstruction
Odontology, the study of the structure, development, and diseases of teeth, plays a vital role in forensic identification. Teeth are unique to individuals, much like fingerprints, with distinct patterns in size, shape, and arrangement. In facial reconstruction, odontology assists in establishing an accurate dental profile that can be used to confirm or refute a suspect’s or victim’s identity. For example, dental records, including the structure and condition of teeth, can be matched with post-mortem dental findings to identify remains (Krieger & Carter, 2015). Additionally, the positioning of teeth influences the overall shape of the mouth and jawline, which are crucial in reconstructing facial features. The process involves creating a dental mold or impression from the remains, which serves as a template for building the soft tissue overlay during reconstruction (Ubelaker, 2016). This method enhances the accuracy of facial approximation and provides a reliable link to existing dental records.
Bone Formation and Its Relevance in Forensic Science
Bone formation involves three primary cell types: osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes. Osteoblasts are responsible for building new bone by producing the mineralized matrix, essential for growth and healing. Osteoclasts resorb or break down bone tissue, regulating bone mass and shape, especially during growth and remodeling. Osteocytes, derived from osteoblasts, are mature bone cells that maintain the bone matrix (Ruggiero et al., 2014). Understanding the activity and quantity of these cells provides insights into the age and health status of an individual at the time of death.
The human skeleton reveals information about growth through bone size, density, and pubertal markers. For instance, the fusion of cranial sutures indicates age, and the length of long bones can estimate stature. The skull comprises 22 bones, which are crucial in facial reconstruction because they serve as the foundation for soft tissue placement. The facial bones—the maxilla, zygomatic bones, nasal bones, and mandible—define the shape of the face and are vital in reconstructing facial features. The skull’s structure also indicates sex, ancestry, and age, which are essential for narrowing down potential identities (Sweet & Zecca, 2017).
Facial Muscles and Their Impact on Identification
The major muscles in the face include the orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, zygomaticus major and minor, masseter, and the frontalis. These muscles control facial expressions, mastication, and movements of facial features. The orbicularis oculi surrounds the eye socket and enables blinking and winking, while the orbicularis oris forms the muscular structure of the lips, influencing speech and expressions. The zygomaticus muscles facilitate smiling by elevating the corners of the mouth, and the masseter muscle is primarily responsible for jaw movement during chewing (Kapandji, 2014).
In forensic facial reconstruction, the analysis of these muscles can help determine the softness of tissues, the thickness of facial tissues, and the overall appearance of facial features. Since muscle attachments leave marks on the skull known as muscle scars, their locations provide clues about muscle size and position. These features help forensic artists refine facial outlines, nasal profiles, and lip thickness, ultimately producing a more accurate facial approximation. Understanding muscle attachments and their influence on soft tissue thickness enhances the detail and reliability of reconstructions, contributing effectively to individual identification (Krogman & İsles, 2012).
Conclusion
In conclusion, detail-oriented forensic facial reconstruction depends heavily on odontology, bone formation knowledge, and an understanding of facial musculature. Each discipline contributes specific information—teeth and jaw structure, skeletal growth indicators, and muscle attachments—that, combined, underpin reliable face reconstructions. Advances in these fields continue to improve the accuracy of forensic identifications, aiding investigations and bringing justice to victims.
References
- Krieger, A., & Carter, B. (2015). Forensic odontology: A review of teeth and bite mark investigations. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 60(1), 209–216.
- Kapandji, I. A. (2014). The physiology of the joints. Elsevier.
- Krogman, W. M., & İsles, J. L. (2012). The human skeleton in forensic anthropology. Wiley.
- Ruggiero, S. L., et al. (2014). Principles of bone regeneration. Journal of Bone Research, 2(4), 356–367.
- Sweet, D. A., & Zecca, C. (2017). Forensic anthropology: An introduction. CRC Press.
- Ubelaker, D. H. (2016). Dental morphology: An overview for forensic dentistry. Journal of Forensic Dental Sciences, 8(2), 102–107.