Analysis of The University of Montana Forensic Case 29

Author

Daniel James Haak, The University of MontanaFollow

Year of Award

2010

Document Type

Professional Paper

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Anthropology (Forensic Anthropology Option)

Department or School/College

Department of Anthropology

Committee Chair

Randall Skelton

Commitee Members

John Douglas, David Dyer

Keywords

Forensics, Ancestry Estimation, Anthropology

Abstract

The application of non-metric forensic anthropological techniques produces results that are sometimes not always scientifically valid. Using the commonly accepted techniques to produce a biological profile (age, sex, ancestry, height, pathology and trauma), an application of the methods is utilized and critiqued in the analysis of The University of Montana forensic case 29 (UMFC 29). Using the accepted techniques in forensic anthropology, UMFC 29 was identified as a Black Male with an age range of 35-65 years and a height of 5’3’’-5’6’’. Possible skeletal trauma is found on the vertebral bodies, left 4th rib, and on the left scapula and there was no obvious pathology is present on the entire skeleton. Although using non-metric techniques in forensic anthropology is thought by some researchers to not always be scientifically valid, the techniques and procedures utilized in this analysis were found to be replicable and thus scientifically acceptable.

Recommended Citation

Haak, Daniel James, "Analysis of The University of Montana Forensic Case 29" (2010). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 143.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/143