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- Title
Anatomical Taphonomy at the Source: Alterations to a Sample of 84 Teaching Skulls at a Medical School.
- Authors
Pokines, James T.; Appel, Nicollette; Pollock, Corey; Eck, Christopher J.; Maki, Amanda G.; Joseph, A. Skylar; Cadwell, Lindsey; Young, Christina D.
- Abstract
Osseous anatomical teaching specimens have the potential to be submitted for forensic examination if they are divorced from their original context and turned in to or seized by law enforcement. A likely source for some of these remains is a medical school, where students routinely examine human skulls to study anatomical structures. The original preparation of these skulls and the effects of repeated manipulation leave behind multiple taphonomic alterations. To determine the taphonomic characteristics of former anatomical teaching skulls, a sample of 84 currently in use at the Boston University School of Medicine was examined for a broad suite of traits. Taphonomic characteristics that can be used to distinguish former anatomical teaching skulls include the presence of mounting hardware, drilling, regular vault sectioning, plastic reconstruction, pen and pencil markings, labeling, patina buildup from handling, and shelf wear. These characteristics may be used to distinguish skulls from this source from other common sources that end up under forensic examination, including former trophy, ritual, or cemetery skulls, even in cases where the skull has been later repurposed for ritual or display.
- Subjects
FORENSIC sciences; ANATOMICAL specimens; BONE metastasis; LAW enforcement; BIOLOGICAL specimens
- Publication
Journal of Forensic Identification, 2017, Vol 67, Issue 4, p600
- ISSN
0895-173X
- Publication type
Article