DEFINITION AND SCOPE

• Jurisdiction: Australia

[35.50] Introduction

Forensic osteology or anthropology is the study of skeletal remains for medico-legal purposes and especially for the identification of unknown individuals. Whereas the forensic pathologist is trained to determine the cause of death from fleshed remains, the forensic anthropologist is usually consulted once soft tissue structures have decomposed or been destroyed or mutilated beyond recognition. The forensic anthropologist carries out the examination of any remaining hard tissues in an attempt to establish not only the identity of the individual but also the circumstances surrounding the individual's death. If teeth or dentures are present, then their evaluation falls mainly within the scope of the forensic dentist - see Ch 34 Forensic...