Jennifer Dewey
University of Oklahoma, Anthropology, Graduate Student
- Florida Atlantic University, Anthropology, Graduate StudentUniversity of Oklahoma, The Department of Anthropology at the University of Oklahoma, Graduate Studentadd
Forensic anthropologists are tasked with the responsibility of identifying human remains in a forensic context. This includes differentiating between human and non-human osteological remains, and further determining a species-specific... more
Forensic anthropologists are tasked with the responsibility of identifying human remains
in a forensic context. This includes differentiating between human and non-human osteological
remains, and further determining a species-specific identification when presented with nonhuman
material. Previous research has provided manuals that are typically limited to one class of
animal and includes either photographs or descriptions of cranial or post-cranial skeletal
elements. Further, the available resources generally cover a limited number of species from
Florida’s diverse habitat. Therefore, the intent of this thesis was to compile a comprehensive
comparative osteological guide of local Florida species that addressed both cranial and
postcranial skeletal elements. The first aspect of this research was to identify the most common
Florida species typically analyzed in a medicolegal context. At the same time, represented
examples were identified at the class level for birds, reptiles, and marine mammals. Next, the
analysis consisted of detailed photographic documentation of cranial and post-cranial skeletal
elements at three collections. The Anthropology Department teaching lab at UCF and the
Biology Department Vertebrate Collection at UCF as well as the University of Florida’s
Zooarchaeology Comparative Collection. The images were then edited to highlight the most
diagnostic features exhibited among the different taxonomic families. These results were then
complied into a series of guidelines to aid in a family and species-specific identification to be
used during an investigation when presented with a whole skeleton, a single skeletal element, or
fragmentary remains.
in a forensic context. This includes differentiating between human and non-human osteological
remains, and further determining a species-specific identification when presented with nonhuman
material. Previous research has provided manuals that are typically limited to one class of
animal and includes either photographs or descriptions of cranial or post-cranial skeletal
elements. Further, the available resources generally cover a limited number of species from
Florida’s diverse habitat. Therefore, the intent of this thesis was to compile a comprehensive
comparative osteological guide of local Florida species that addressed both cranial and
postcranial skeletal elements. The first aspect of this research was to identify the most common
Florida species typically analyzed in a medicolegal context. At the same time, represented
examples were identified at the class level for birds, reptiles, and marine mammals. Next, the
analysis consisted of detailed photographic documentation of cranial and post-cranial skeletal
elements at three collections. The Anthropology Department teaching lab at UCF and the
Biology Department Vertebrate Collection at UCF as well as the University of Florida’s
Zooarchaeology Comparative Collection. The images were then edited to highlight the most
diagnostic features exhibited among the different taxonomic families. These results were then
complied into a series of guidelines to aid in a family and species-specific identification to be
used during an investigation when presented with a whole skeleton, a single skeletal element, or
fragmentary remains.
