Fin NotesBone Bonanza Lab

Forensic Science 11/6/14

DrillLook at the skeletons on the board. What is

wrong with them? List bones that are missing/misplaced.(They can wear hats and be colorful if they want!)

[That’s not what I’m talking about.]

IWBAT Identify the bones of the skeletonDetermine age and gender of a skeleton

Objective

Sex Characteristics of Pelvis

Male and Female

Male Points of Comparison

Female

Heavy and Thick

General Structure

Light and thin

Large Joint Surfaces Small

Well marked Muscle Attachment

Rather indistinct

Deep Greater Pelvis Shallow

Male and Female Pelvis

Male Points of Comparison

Female

Heart shaped Pelvic Inlet Circular

Comparatively small

Pelvic Outlet

Comparatively Large

The superior surface of the body spans nearly half the width of the sacrum.

First Piece of Sacrum

The superior surface of the body spans almost 1/3 the width of the sacrum.

Male and Female Pelvis

Male Points of Comparison

Female

Long, narrow, with smooth concavity

Sacrum Short wide, flat, curving forward in lower part

Less than 90 degrees

Pubic Arch Greater than 90 degrees

Small and deep

Sciatic Notch Wide and shallow

Male and Female Pelvis

Skull DimorphismsMale and Female

Male Points of Comparison

Female

Heavier and more rugged

General Architecture

Lighter and less rugged

Squared, small Eye Openings Rounded, large

Prominent and heavy

Brow Ridges Smooth and flat

Heavier and laterally arched

Cheekbones Lighter, lack lateral arching

Male and Female Skulls

Male Points of Comparison

Female

Occipital bump at the base of the skull

Occipital Condyle/ Nuchal Ridge

Almost non-existent

Letter U Chin Shape Letter V

Sloping, less round

Forehead Vertical, fuller

Larger, more blunt

Mastoid Process

Smaller, more pointed

Male and Female Skulls

Bone Bonanza LabYou will separate and reassemble bones of a

male skeleton and a female skeleton.

Sam’s grandparents’ remains have been found, but they’re all mixed up! Help him separate them so he can put them to rest properly.

Read the Background Information

Bone Bonanza LabYou and a partner (your choice) will work on this

lab.

MaterialsOne packet per pairPlain sheet of white paperScissorsGlue stick“Lesson 4-2: Making No Bones About It!” A Lesson

on Skeletal Evidence – REFERENCE, do NOT take!

Put Grandmother on the front of your paper, and Grandfather on the back.

ClosureHow can you tell if someone was right or left

handed?

List some ways to distinguish between male and female bones