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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
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Osteometric sorting of skeletal elements from a sample of modern Colombians: a pilot study
Juan Manuel Guerrero Rodríguez1, Lucina Hackman2, Wendy Martínez3
1Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification, University of Dundee, MSI/WTB/JBC Complex, Dow Street, DD1 5EH, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|January 16, 2015
Summary
Forensic practitioners in Colombia can use osteometric sorting to reassociate commingled human remains. This study validates three osteometric sorting models for Colombian individuals, aiding in identifying missing persons.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Anthropology
- Bioarchaeology
- Human Osteology
Background:
- The Colombian armed conflict is the longest civil war in the Western Hemisphere, resulting in a high number of missing persons.
- Commingled human remains present significant challenges for forensic practitioners in Colombia.
- Osteometric sorting offers a potential solution for reassociating skeletal elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of three osteometric sorting models developed by Byrd (2008) in a modern Colombian population.
- To assess the applicability of these models for reassociating commingled human remains in the Colombian forensic context.
Main Methods:
- A reference sample database was created using 39 linear measurements from 100 Colombian individuals (47 females, 53 males).
- Six small-scale commingled assemblages were randomly generated from a subset of eight individuals (5 females, 3 males).
- Three osteometric sorting models (paired elements, articulating bone portions, other bone portions) were tested on these assemblages.
Main Results:
- The study demonstrated the significant potential of osteometric sorting for reassociating commingled human remains.
- The evaluated models showed applicability within the Colombian forensic setting.
- This method can aid forensic practitioners in addressing challenges posed by commingled remains.
Conclusions:
- Osteometric sorting is a valuable tool for forensic anthropologists in Colombia.
- The validated models can improve the accuracy and efficiency of reassociating commingled skeletal remains.
- This research contributes to resolving cases of missing persons in Colombia.
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