Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Anthropology in Action

In January 2009 skeletal remains were found by two hunters in a area commonly used for deer hunting. The remains which the hunters found were covered by various plant material and still had traces of camouflage clothing commonly used by hunters. The hunters immediately reported the found remains to the police. The police then notified the local Medical Examiner, who then sent the state forensic anthropologist to study the found remains.

The case has since gone to trial. The state forensic anthropologist examined and concluded that the victim in this case was a man named Robert Rutherford and the defendant is man named John O’Hara. O’Hara was charged with the death of Robert Rutherford. The defendant brought in another forensic anthropologist who’s findings contradicted that of the state forensic anthropologist. The defense argued that because of findings made in their independent examination, the victim in this case could not possibly be Rutherford, but the real victim was Stephen Morton. Stephen Morton was a man who was reported missing six years earlier and other than hunting in the same area, have no ties to the defendant at all.

As a member of the jury in this particular case I will attempt to independently review and re-examine every piece of evidence in order to determine the correct victim. With my best effort I will re-evaluate the evidence to conclude the victims sex, race, age, stature, manner of death, and elapsed time since death. Then, with the use of supporting evidence will determine which is the most probable victim as well as whether or not the defendant, O’Hara in this case, was involved.

At the scene of the crime many pieces of evidence were found including skeletal remains of both a human as well as a deer. The human bones which were found included the skull, both upper arms (humeri), both thigh bones (femora), left lower leg (fibula), an assortment of cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae; foram...