Forensic Anthropology and Medicine (original) (raw)

2006, Forensic Anthropology and Medicine

Part II deals with age estimation of living individuals for reasons of imputability, which is one of the growing subfields of forensic anthropology requiring cooperation between forensic physicians and forensic anthropologists. Chapter 4 explores the whole range of techniques and methods available. The chapters in Part III discuss all the steps of forensic analysis, precisely from recovery to the cause of death. Before starting such an investigation, one must have a comprehensive understanding of the different ways a body can change after death. Among others, a relevant interpretation of the events surrounding a death depends on mastering body decomposition and taphonomic processes. Chapter 5 reviews the states of preservation/decomposition, and through well-illustrated cases, emphasizes both what a forensic pathologist can obtain from a mummified or saponified body, and what a forensic anthropologist can obtain from skeletonized remains. The recovery scene, where every examination should start, is discussed in Chapter 6, which underlines the importance of an archaeological background, particularly if the remains are dry bones. The presence of forensic anthropologists and/or pathologists should be required in scene examination. When facing a cadaver that is neither preserved nor completely skeletonized, or is unrecognizable, teamwork (forensic pathologist plus forensic anthropologist) is requested, as are appropriate methodologies to carry out the specific autopsy or examination. Chapter 7 presents a multidisciplinary approach to this issue and the best practices in conducting an investigation, benefiting from the experience the authors gained in different settings. Chapter 8, which closes Part III, describes in detail the different types of traumatic bone lesions-blunt, sharp, or gunshot wounds-which are discussed as differential diagnoses. The relevance of these injuries to establish the cause of death, and through it, as evidence of crimes against humanity, genocide, and torture, is emphasized. The main attributes of biological identity are gender, age, stature, and ancestry. Part IV reviews the state of knowledge on assessing these four parameters from skeletal remains. The reliability, accuracy, and limits of the methodologies are covered, and the best approach in legal contexts is recommended. Because the previously mentioned generic factors of identification are, in most instances, not sufficient to achieve identification, the next step is to search for other factors of individualization. Chapter 14 deals with this issue, in particular, with pathological alterations of bones. Part IV ends with a very useful summary chapter (Chapter 15), which reviews several related points and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the several methods usually accepted as proof of identification. viii Preface Recently, an increasing number of systematic investigations have been launched worldwide following crimes against humanity. The variable preservation of cadavers or body parts requires contributions of both forensic pathologists and forensic anthropologists to provide evidence on the cause and manner of death. This combined effort is also required for expertise on the context of catastrophes, whether natural and/or caused by humans, where identification is the main issue. These crimes against humanity and mass disasters are examined in Part V, which analyzes their different problems. In mass disasters, the cause of death is frequently known, and all efforts are then focused on victims' identification, which is also a key issue for crimes against humanity, where the research of cause of death still remains very important. Within this context, Chapter 16 presents useful and relevant recommendations for forensic professionals, examining their links with international organizations in the field, such as the United Nations, the Red Cross, or Interpol, whose actualized protocols are displayed. Although the very beginning of any scientific issue is hard to define, it is undeniable that the South American anthropologists, particularly the Equipo Argentino de Antropologia Forense, are among the world's pioneers in investigating crimes against humanity. Through practical cases, one of this organization's members presents the adequate methodology to investigate these crimes profiting from the group's vast experience on the subject. Chapter 18 uses a practical case to discuss the organization and procedures that are needed whenever a forensic intervention is necessary in the context of mass disasters. In all, Part V is a clear example of the real value of a multidisciplinary investigation in these types of cases, showing the pros and cons and reassuming the spirit of Forensic Anthropology and Medicine: Complementary Sciences From Recovery to Cause of Death, which is to build a bridge between two complementary sciences-forensic anthropology and forensic medicinethat will grow and develop very closely in the future, whenever humans and humanity have the need.